Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: USSEnterprise on August 03, 2005, 02:46:50 am

Title: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: USSEnterprise on August 03, 2005, 02:46:50 am

Why are they so expensive? I mean, they are basically like computer mice, but set up differently. They seem relatively simple. Why?

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: Level42 on August 03, 2005, 03:31:27 am

1)
Because mice are produced  (and sold) by millions, every PC comes with a mouse, let alone the seperate mouse sales...trackballs (especialy arcade versions) and even more spinners are sold in very moderate numbers

2)
If you are talking about proper arcade trackballs (and spinners), those things are designed and built to be used in arcades where they get hit, kicked spit on etc. etc. AND used very intensively. This requires a very solid contruction. There is no comparison with home use. F.I.the rolls where the ball is lying on are metal, not plastic etc. etc. And have you considered the weight and size of the ball ?
The bearings have to be of better quality too, since you want the ball (or spinner)  to keep rolling for quite some time, not neccesary for mice.

And there's probably some more reasons...

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: ultramagnus on August 03, 2005, 08:14:17 am

my guess would be that its just that mice are produced on a industrial scale, whereas there isnt enough demand for spinners.

trackballs i have no idea why the arcade ones are so expensive, but ordinary pc ones arnt and you could allways modify one of them.

IMO its not worth buying spinners off the shelf, you may as well just buy any old mouse and a good looking knob and modify that into one

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: USSEnterprise on August 03, 2005, 03:19:35 pm

I just found a place where you can get a $30 USB spinner, but I need either a PS/2 or serial,  on an opti-pac.

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: rackoon on August 03, 2005, 05:30:26 pm

Don't hold back brother, where can one get a 30$ spinner. I need one soon

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: USSEnterprise on August 03, 2005, 05:33:42 pm

http://www.ezarcadesolutions.com/

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: quarterback on August 03, 2005, 06:15:47 pm

Quote from: USSEnterprise on August 03, 2005, 05:33:42 pm

http://www.ezarcadesolutions.com/

aka http://www.mamespinner.com/

I guess the mame trademark situation got to them.

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: Jollyrob on August 03, 2005, 09:13:10 pm

am i right in understanding you woulnd't need a opti-pac if the spinner is ps/2 or serial?

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: USSEnterprise on August 03, 2005, 09:20:32 pm

or USB, yes, you wouldn't need one

Title: Re: Trackballs and Spinners
Post by: Jollyrob on August 03, 2005, 11:15:25 pm

ah, i see, you intended to put "or" an optipac...i said that because you put on an optipac, i was thinking you wanted a ps/2 trackball to use with an optipac