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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: STL_Steve on November 24, 2003, 09:19:41 am

Title: USB trackball?
Post by: STL_Steve on November 24, 2003, 09:19:41 am

I am thinking of using the 3" Trackball from happ and was wondering if I should go the USB route?  I will be using GGG's Keywiz Max and am a bit concerned with using up to many connections if I hook the trackball to it.    
   
Anyone know of any issues with using the usb trackball and games? Or perhaps the feel isn't right? Perhaps I don't what the hell I am doing and actually can hook the trackball plus 2 joysticks and 24 other buttons to it.      

Title: Re:USB trackball?
Post by: SirPoonga on November 24, 2003, 09:32:50 am

I guess I don't understand what you are worrying about with the keywiz.

In my cabinet I have an IPAC, a USB mouse hack for the spinner, and a usb mouse hack for the trackball.  All works fine.

Title: Re:USB trackball?
Post by: RandyT on November 24, 2003, 09:40:42 am

Quote from: STL_Steve on November 24, 2003, 09:19:41 am

I am thinking of using the 3" Trackball from happ and was wondering if I should go the USB route?  I will be using GGG's Keywiz Max and am a bit concerned with using up to many connections if I hook the trackball to it.    
   
Anyone know of any issues with using the usb trackball and games? Or perhaps the feel isn't right? Perhaps I don't what the hell I am doing and actually can hook the trackball plus 2 joysticks and 24 other buttons to it.      

You will need a different kind of interface for the trackball.  The KeyWiz and other keyboard encoder products are not designed for analog devices (spinners, trackballs, etc) only for sticks, buttons and other controls that are either on or off (digital).

There are a number of references here to information and pictures for interfacing a simple (and cheap) USB mouse to a trackball.

But you might also want to find a Betson with a ready to go PS/2 interface.  It'll work like a mouse on your cab, so you don't have to worry about losing the PS/2 mouse port.


RandyT

Title: Re:USB trackball?
Post by: STL_Steve on November 24, 2003, 09:52:21 am

I currently have a Hagstrom Ke72-T and I assumed that the add-on card they supplied was out of convenience not necessity.  I think the usb version is about 55.00 more so I will do some research on the usb hack.

Title: Re:USB trackball?
Post by: Tiger-Heli on November 24, 2003, 10:01:40 am

You have a KE-72T or a KeyWiz Max??? (Both???)

Easiest way to go USB with the trackball is OSCAR's pre-hacked mouse for $12.50 and USB trackball harness for $8.

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/cgi-bin/cart.pl?DT=1

Title: Re:USB trackball?
Post by: STL_Steve on November 24, 2003, 10:38:47 am

Quote from: Tiger-Heli on November 24, 2003, 10:01:40 am

You have a KE-72T or a KeyWiz Max??? (Both???)

My first cabinet has the ke72-T, and I am building another and want to use the KeyWiz Max.  

Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

Title: Re:USB trackball?
Post by: Mugzilla on November 24, 2003, 03:39:13 pm

I enjoyed hacking a PS2 mouse for my CP.

Maybe someday I'll build a cabinet, then I can get my coffetable back!