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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: shrunkenmaster on January 22, 2014, 03:11:20 pm

Title: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: shrunkenmaster on January 22, 2014, 03:11:20 pm
Not really up on the latest batch of interfaces, so I need some advice. Will be scratch building a Marble Madness cab and will need the most cost effective way of interfacing the two trackballs, plus a couple of buttons. Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: HaRuMaN on January 22, 2014, 03:24:39 pm
Can windows handle two mice?  I know you can get the Happ trackballs in the USB flavor, each one with 3 buttons...
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: BadMouth on January 22, 2014, 03:28:31 pm
Opti-Wiz EZ solder version $15 each x2 http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=260 (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=260)

Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: tron84 on January 22, 2014, 03:36:41 pm
+1 on the Opti-Wiz, I have it on my Tempest spinner.  It is a nice interface.
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: shrunkenmaster on January 22, 2014, 03:52:22 pm
Liking the look of the Opti-Wiz, thanks guys   :applaud:

Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: PL1 on January 22, 2014, 03:55:28 pm
Can windows handle two mice?
It does just fine with a UTrak on a Mini-Pac, a TT2 Spinner, and a wireless keyboard with trackball -- 3 X-axes and 2 Y-axes, all at once.   ;D

I know you can get the Happ trackballs in the USB flavor, each one with 3 buttons...
Rodney's selling reconditioned Happ trackballs and interfaces here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,129928.0.html).

Solder wires to an AVR (running KADE firmware) or get a KADE for the buttons -- fully customizable.

I think Jon is also working on a firmware that will allow KADE to accept raw optical inputs from a trackball -- haven't heard how that's coming along.


Scott
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: shrunkenmaster on January 22, 2014, 03:59:09 pm
Cheers PL1, will look into this too!
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: Afterburner on January 22, 2014, 07:57:10 pm
I have two trackballs on my cab.

Both are Xarcade 3-inch USB trackballs.  I'm running WinXP and it handles two USB mice just fine.

In fact I think at one point I had one via PS2 connector and one on USB.

Both have three buttons on them as well that work fine as a mouse for maintenance on the PC.

I have two rotary 8way leaf switch joysticks connected to an old iPac2 (PS2 keybd interface) and an old board that converts the 12 position rotary switch in the joystick to a keypress on the iPac.

All of it plays together fine.

I also find dual trackballs are great for two player gun games like T2, Op Wolf, Spacegun, etc. if you don't have lightguns.
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: Le Chuck on January 23, 2014, 07:29:32 am
Windows can handle 8 analog axes at once IIRC.  Plug'em in!
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: shrunkenmaster on January 23, 2014, 08:38:54 am
Hmm, spend money or don't spend money, tough call! Will certainly give it a try  :applaud:
Title: Re: Recommendations for dual trackball interface...
Post by: yotsuya on January 23, 2014, 09:37:36 am
Rodney's encoder works really well. In fact, I may be buying another one soon.