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Randy, Andy and anyone else: Button Hole Trackball !
RayB:
Speaking of button hole trackballs (in that awful spinner thread), here's an idea to get the ball rolling (*badum bump*):
Find a plastic bottle cap that has a little round bump right in the middle (like a hemisphere, about 1/8th of an inch in diameter. Sorry to be so vague... I think I got the one I have from a water bottle). Otherwise just try whatever water bottle cap you can find...
Next, take a pinball ball (preferrably new). It should fit pretty well in the upside down bottle cap. hold the cap on your desk with one hand and now spin the ball with the other...
Feels pretty decent doesn't it?? Imagine it on low-friction rollers. The weight of a pinball is heavy enough that on rollers you'd get enough spin to enjoy most trackball games (other than perhaps Golden Tee).
So that's the proof of concept basically. (I'm not suggesting an actual trackball can be made from a bottle cap. That's just to demonstrate how it feels using a pin ball). If it can't be crammed into a button-hole form factor, it could probably at least be designed to be rather compact ( 2" x 2" footprint?) or fit in a button hole on metal control panels.
Have at it guys! I don't care about credit! Someone manufacture it! ;D
SavannahLion:
--- Quote from: RayB on July 24, 2008, 12:41:01 am --- If it can't be crammed into a button-hole form factor, it could probably at least be designed to be rather compact ( 2" x 2" footprint?) or fit in a button hole on metal control panels.
--- End quote ---
Pimple of a trackball :laugh2:
Something a bit more constructive than above.
I've used those super tiny trackballs, like what used to be (still?) on laptops. The ball itself seems to be right around the size of a button and quite frankly.... they're annoying as hell. They're better than the idiot eraser nubs and marginally better than the touch pads, but not anywhere near as good as the big boys.
I've never really tried it in a gaming application though, but my biggest grief was the lack of balance of fine control and distance movement. It's hard to explain I guess but if you've ever use the Logitech Trackman Marble FX or another similar trackball, you'll know what I mean.
If anyone gets the same control balance down in such a small package, it would be an interesting look.
Xiaou2:
Well, its similar to playing Bowling with a Golf Ball. The feel will be really odd.. because the
mass is so much reduced that it changes the reaction times, the tactile feel, and the
control.
Greater Diameter also plays a factor in control too.
A steel ball at 1.5" might be good for mini bartops however.
RayB:
To both the above:
That's why I'm suggesting using a pinball. They are heavy compared to the plastic balls in the examples you all mentioned. More mass on low-friction bearings = more spin.
So the laptop ball example is a lousy one. I've tried those small kiosk tracballs too and they have the same problem. They aren't designed for "spin". The balls are too light.
ark_ader:
Why not a conventional ball mouse or laptop mouse ball , inverted?
Why not a trackpad just covering the hole?
Why not an analogue joystick, like those ancient joysticks with the shaft sawed off and some foam or rubber tip.
Why a pinball ball? Wouldn't you have friction burns on your fingers? (Like those old Atari Football Trackballs used to do)
What about those industrial keyboards you see in the mall or wally mart that is stainless steel with a trackball?
I can see the need for one though. Without the blisters! ;D