Trackball Questions

[QuarterJunkie]

Hi guys,

I've been doing a ton of research and have decided on a two player CP with a Happ 3" trackball but don't really want a spinner (unless someone can convince me otherwise).

My question is, with interfacing just the trackball, do I need to invest in an Opti-pac or can I just interface it to a PS2 mouse port? I also notice a lot of pictures of trackball setups showing the mounting plate on the control panel and alot of others where you can not see any mounting plate. Is the difference in the mounting kit used; or how the mounting kit is installed? When I order the trackball what else do I need to order to be sure I have everything I need?

Thanks...

[Fozzy The Bear]

Happs sell both varieties of trackball....   The PS2 version and  the straight optical encoder version that will have to be attached to an IPac, or Turbotwist or some other encoder. (trackballs are cheaper from Divemaster or Ponyboy on here)

Not sure why you don't want a spinner..... How are you going to play Tempest, Arkanoid, TRON and whole raft of other games, without one. If you get the "Turbotwist 2" from GroovyGameGear.com then you will not need another interface for your trackball either, as the interface that comes with it can accept X,Y,Z inputs. You connect the spinner to one of them and the trackball to the other two.

As for trackball mounting, some people put their CP overlay over the top of the mounting plate which is recessed into the surface of the CP using a router... Other people have it on display on the top surface. It's all a question of what you like to look at.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Avrus]

I went with a Mini-Pac as I've read several people reporting poor performance with the USB version of the trackball.  I can say using the 3 trackballs with the Mini-Pacs they work flawlessly.

Incidentally I top mounted.