looking for CompUSA trackball

[jakejake28]

i've decided on trying out a compusa crystal trackball hack, but have not found a single place that sells them. if anyone has one tht works and is in good condition, or knows where i can find one, please refer me to said party.

[spectre]

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_controls.shtml#CompUSA

check there, a review and 2 or 3 people that have em... someone on there will have some info for ya im sure

[jakejake28]

whoa, a tutorial whered that come from
i just checked but saw no info on where they got'em. maybe i'll email 'em. still looking though

[TheTick]

I got mine from CompUSA  

Why don't you try hacking a different trackball?
I also tried the USB Kensington Optical, it was even easier than the CompUSA ball. The ball was much smaller though.

Just find a cheap (sub $20) trackball with a large enough ball, and crack open the case.

Of course trackball hacks suck.... get a real arcade trackball and hook it up. It costs a bit more, but you'll be happier with it.  I've spent about $55 on two different trackball hacks, until breaking down and getting a Happs trackball for $63.

[jakejake28]

i dont mind buying the trackball from happs, it's the stuff that is neccessary to run it. need a harness, the optic board, an interface
what should i expect to pay for it all, for a 2-1/4 3 inch or  sans interace? i think i'll use an optipac.

scratch that. looked at betsons. it says 2-1/4 inch trackball assy, what is assy? what else would i need to hook it up via usb? i will buy an optipac, will anything else be needed?

[TheTick]

Optipac will run you $60 something won't it? Optipac sounds cool if you're running Win98 and multiple spinners or trackballs.

Oscarcontrols.com has a USB mouse hack for something like $9, plus a Happs Wiring harness for $7. You should be able to hook that up to a Wico as well.

Someone mentioned recently you can get a new 2 1/4" wico for $34 or $43.  There's always ebay... but used ones sometimes have the wiring cut.

[unclet]

Go to www.computergate.com and Keyword Search on "JTBSCT".   This is the manufacturer number for the Crystal Trackball.

PS: This is where I got mine over a year ago and it seems they still have some.

Good luck....hope this helps
UncleT

[jakejake28]

hey UncleT, did you hack it. if so, was is easy to hack, and is it easy to mount. thanks in advance

[unclet]

I did hack it and I thought it was pretty straightforward.   Been working for me great for a little over a year now.  I actually found someone else who hacked the Crystal Trackball, and they helped me out.  They even sent me some pics showing how he mounted the trackball.   Actually, the hack I did involved just using the PCB of the trackball.   I needed to get a Happ mounting plate and Happ 2-1/4" Top Bracket and a 2-1/4" trackball ball.    I do not think replacing the trackball ball was required, but I was told getting a 2-1/4" from Happ really fits nicely....and it does.   The only real thing you have to do is get yourself a square piece of wood and drill holes in the spots you need to and then mount the PCB do it. 

I could send you some pictures so you get the idea if you want.   It will show you the Top Bracket and Mounting plate and trackball ball as well so you can tell what these parts actually are.   I do not have webspace to place them on the web, so if anyone wants some pics just request them via my email emailAddrRemoved  This pictures would not be of my cabinet hack, but of the person's control panel who originally helped me.   Although, my hack looks exactly like his.

PS:  One good thing about using the HappControls Top Bracket and Mounting Plate was that they were cheap parts and if the trackball ever broke in the future, you could simply buy a trackball assembly from HappControls and stick in inside the Top Bracket and Mounting Plate you already have.     I think the trackball ball from HappControls was the expensive for just a ball, but it was well worth it in my opinion.  Still way cheaper than buying a completed trackball assembly, plus this gives you right/left mouse click buttons which you can attached via pushbuttons as well...

Hope this will help you out,
UncleT

[Tiger-Heli]

Someone mentioned recently you can get a new 2 1/4" wico for $34 or $43.  There's always ebay... but used ones sometimes have the wiring cut.

$25 for the 2-1/4 or $50 for the 3"

[paigeoliver]

I used to have this ball hacked into my panel. I replaced it with a new Betson Imperial 3" PS2 trackball and it is SO much better.

The compusa ball just doesn't feel anything like an arcade ball at all.

[unclet]

This is why I replaced the ball from my CompUSA trackball with a ball from HappControls.....works great for me.

[Aceldamor]

I've got a clean (still original, not hacked) Comp USA Trackball in anyone is still interested. I was going to use it for my cab, but I got a 3" Wico trackball with a trans blue ball for a price too good to refuse.

Either post back or send pm if anyone is interested.

[Renegade1]

Hey Aceldamor how much you asking for it? and where you located, in the U.S.?   in the interest of shipping cost  

 Renegade

[mpm32]

I also have a non-hacked crystal trackball if anyone want to make me an offer.

[nighthawk2099]

You have PM.

[Aceldamor]

I'm in AZ, USA.  Just pm me with info and I'll get shipping cost.