Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Hank13 on August 04, 2004, 11:21:43 am

Title: I-Blue Trackball
Post by: Hank13 on August 04, 2004, 11:21:43 am

I'm definatly taking costs into consideration when building my cab, so I've been looking into all the trackball alternatives.  I found alot of people saying good things about the CompUSA Crystal trackball.  I haven't had much luck finding it but I did run across this and I what you all knew of it.

http://www.computergate.com/products/item.cfm?prodcd=JTBS4B

I've been unable to find any info on the size of the ball, but if its good enough the price is right.  Thanks for any help.

Title: Re:I-Blue Trackball
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on August 04, 2004, 01:08:34 pm

I haven't been happy with any of the PC-style trackballs.
They don't use the rollers with bearings in them, so they stop when you push them fast, rather than continuing to roll for a bit, like an arcade trackball.
They are made to be pointing tools, rather than game controls, so this action is understandable, but still undesirable for a game controller.

Title: Re:I-Blue Trackball
Post by: Tiger-Heli on August 04, 2004, 01:46:15 pm

What NBA said . . .

The price isn't right either.  I bought two PC trackballs for about $6.00 each from a surplus outlet.

They weren't a bad deal at that price, but about all I can say is they are better than using a mouse for Centipede.

If you want to add a trackball "on the cheap", I would recommend spending $25 for the www.ultimarc.com or www.wicothesource.com 2-1/4-inch ball and then hacking a mouse or spending $10 for the www.oscarcontrols.com pre-hacked USB mouse.

Another option is to find either the Wico command control or Atari 2600 Trak-Ball on E-bay.  These generally go for under $10 and do have bearings in them.

BTW, the CompUSA crystal trackball stuff goes back to when Happ was basically the only source for arcade trackballs and that was a better option than spending $100 for a Happ ball and interface.  The data is really OBE (overcome by events) and should probably come off the main site now (or at least have a disclaimer).

Title: Re:I-Blue Trackball
Post by: ErikRuud on August 05, 2004, 02:10:48 pm

The only PC trackball that comes close to a true arcade trackball is the KidsBall that was sold by Crayola and Genius.  These have gotten to be hard to find.

I think that one of the best deals around right now is the 3" trackabll from Betson with the built in PS/2 mouse interface.

Title: Re:I-Blue Trackball
Post by: u_rebelscum on August 06, 2004, 02:08:43 am

Kensington Expert/Turbo Mouse is one of the best PC trackballs out there.  Arcade quality bearings; many models have translucent balls.  

But you could buy an arcade TB for about the same price, new.

Title: Re:I-Blue Trackball
Post by: TOK on August 07, 2004, 08:04:10 am

The marketing guy that came up with that name should definitely be fired.  :o