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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Stormy151 on September 02, 2004, 09:32:05 pm

Title: Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Stormy151 on September 02, 2004, 09:32:05 pm
I am considering building a mini/bartop cabinet for my niece, and would like to have a joystick, spinner, and trackball on the CP.  I plan to base the size of the CP off the size of the trackball, since it will take up the most real estate under the panel.

What's the smallest footprint 2 1/4 trackball availiable?  Or are they all about the same?
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: whammoed on September 02, 2004, 09:47:31 pm
I have used a happs and a wico/ultimarc and they seem to be the same footprint.  If you've got big $$$ there is a smaller option:
http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56020000.htm
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Bgnome on September 02, 2004, 09:57:04 pm
if you want the smallest footprint available, you may not want a 2.25" ball.  I think it would be safe to assume that they have the same footprint.  I have a wico command control trackball and dont see how that could possibly get less than 5" square.
as whammoed suggested, i think you should look into a smaller trackball.  i think there was a thread where someone had some penny and giles balls that were really small..
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: javeryh on September 02, 2004, 11:04:05 pm
I have used a happs and a wico/ultimarc and they seem to be the same footprint.  If you've got big $$$ there is a smaller option:
http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56020000.htm

Wow that's a lot of $$$!
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: SirPoonga on September 03, 2004, 12:49:33 am
For the most part tballs are standardize so most use the same footprint.
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Ed ONeill on September 03, 2004, 08:02:04 am
What about hacking a trackball mouse.

Someone did it recently and I am going to start mine soon

Just my 2 cents
Ed

*edit* here is the link
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=18282;start=msg179178#msg179178
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: neuromancer on September 03, 2004, 09:56:42 am
I hacked a logitech marble mouse for a small cp, and it worked really nicely. I just took the top off the mouse and carved the bottom of the panel so it would fit.

Not as nice as a "real" trackball, but fully functional.

Bob
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Bgnome on September 03, 2004, 12:31:57 pm
found this on a google search.. footprint is ~0.5" ;)
http://www.ittcannon.com/media/pdf/catalogs/Leaf/SW_nav_trackball.pdf
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Stormy151 on September 03, 2004, 02:01:40 pm
Holy crap, that one is TINY!  If you ever wanted to build a 1/8 scale Centipede, that's the trackball you would use!

Thanks for the replies guys, I may go with that smaller one from Happs since it's got the USB already.  It's not that much more expensive than the Happs 2 1/4 with USB.
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Hoagie_one on September 03, 2004, 02:39:56 pm
I read that those 8mm trackballs are only like $1.50 each.  I submitted a question on minimum order requirments.

I may have to order like 100,000 to get em

hope not
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Tahnok on September 03, 2004, 05:03:54 pm
Thanks for the replies guys, I may go with that smaller one from Happs since it's got the USB already.  It's not that much more expensive than the Happs 2 1/4 with USB.

If you can hack a mouse, the Ultimarc is dirt-cheap. I highly recommend buying the Ultimarc and just hacking a mouse. It works just as well, the trackball is small and compact and they feel just like Happs.

Bgnome, Wow! Keep us posted Hoagie_one as to price. I would love own a few of those!
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: Nannuu on September 03, 2004, 09:55:57 pm
I was able to grab some Penny and Giles USB 2" trackballs off of Ebay for $8.00, they are only 3.25"x3.25".  They are REALLY nice.
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: spidermonkey on September 03, 2004, 11:15:09 pm
http://www.groovygamegear.com/cgi/surfshop/shop.cgi?ud=SUQyWTFQVUdNUSUlJSUlJTEwOTQyNjcyOTkA&storeid=1&c=search.htm&categories=0031 (http://www.groovygamegear.com/cgi/surfshop/shop.cgi?ud=SUQyWTFQVUdNUSUlJSUlJTEwOTQyNjcyOTkA&storeid=1&c=search.htm&categories=0031)This one might buy you a little more room. The price is right too as long as you don't mind the actual ball itself being smaller too. If you e-mail Randy-T I'm sure he would give you the dimentions.
Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: RayB on September 06, 2004, 01:57:15 pm

Umm if you don't mind using a USED or refurbished trackball, you can use the original Missile Command cocktail or Centipede 2 1/4" trackballs. (I'm talking the originals by Atari, made with a metal base rather than plastic). They are basically about 4" x 4" (maybe a bit bigger).

Title: Re:Trackball with smallest footprint?
Post by: NIVO on September 23, 2004, 06:08:20 pm
Hoagie_one......ever hear back on the trackball email? Curious about these as well. Thanks.