X-Arcade Trackball...? (vs. Betson and Happ?)

[RoninEditor]

Hey all, I'm trying to decide on a trackball for my cabinet that I'll be building.  I've done a ton of research, have Saint's book and all that good stuff, but I'm trying to figure out the trackball part.

I was thinking a PS2/USB one from Happ because I'm a little gunshy about trying to hook up a standard one to an Ipac2 (unless someone assures me it's easy, haha)... but it's hard for me to rationalize $166.25 from Happ (wife already thinks I'm nuts for doing this).   

X-Arcade has one but I dunno if it's of 'real' arcade quality since they seem to try to mimic the real deal... but I don't know, has anyone used this?

http://www.x-arcade.com/arcade_trackball_part.shtml

If so, how'd it work for you?  It's only $59 new.

I was also consider the Betson one for $69 new... anyone have some feedback on it? 

Thanks for any help!

[BASS!]

I dont know why people still use the optipac still when you can get the usb version for only $10 more from happ. Now I am a big fan of happs trackballs. They are so slick and seem to roll forever, Ive used some other brands and they just dont seem to match it. the xarcade trackball is ok...but in my experience (I owned one for about 6 mo) they seem to be loud, and cumbersome. The only way I could really explain it is for you to try it. Betsons are good, but require an interface. I found my trackball for 79.99 + 10.00 shipping and this was before I found divemaster. He has them available for good prices.

NEW PRICE ON HAPP 3" HIGHBALL TRACKBALL-$64.99

HAPP TRACKBALLS *** PM for QUOTE ***
 3’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Red
 3’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Red Translucent
 3’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface White
 3’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Blue
 3’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Blue Translucent
 3’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Black Solid
 2-1/4’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Red Solid
 2-1/4’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface White Solid
 2-1/4’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Blue Solid
 2-1/4’’ Trackball with USB and PS/2 Interface Black Solid


HAPP TRACKBALL MOUNTING KITS $10.99 ea. Black
55-1101-00 3" Happ Trackball Mounting Kits

       As far as the ease of install, it couldn't be easier. Just get the mounting plate, cut the hole in your panel and drill the holes for the plate. Pop the trackball under it and screw in the provided screws to the plate. That part takes about 4 min (for the final mounting). The trackball connects via either ps2 or usb and comes with wires for the mouse buttons to plug directly into several different types of microswitches. No optipac required for it. Go here to look at his goodies, I've yet to see anyone match his prices. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=47066.0

[RoninEditor]

Holy crap, Divemaster DOES have some great deals... my god.  I didn't see a website... how do we order from him?  (Sorry if this is an obvious question, I'm still such a noob with this.)

I was going to get the Ultimarc Ultrastik 360, which has 8 buttons per joystick.  I'm going to have six per joystick, then 1P, 2P, Pause, ESC/Shutdown, 1P Coin, 2P Coin.  So I'd be roughly two-four buttons short via connecting through USB.  Any recommendations for the remaining ones?  This was the only reason I was going to get the Ipac2.

[divemaster127]

hello, I have my prices listed on the buy/sell thread for the most common items, just send me a final list of what you need with your address & I will get you a shipping quote., if you want to go thru the u360 for hooking up your buttons you need the harness these are $8.00 each & support 8 buttons. You can contact me thru pm to divemaster127 or email a list to gthomp1@cox.net
thanks
dm