Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: RayB on December 07, 2005, 01:19:32 pm

Title: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: RayB on December 07, 2005, 01:19:32 pm
I had an idea yesterday. If it's possible to hack a trackball to a mouse, is it possible to do so with a wireless mouse?

My cab does not have room for a trackball. I thought it would be neat to make a wireless trackball console to use both for games and for Windows. If got multiple "receivers" I could even use it with multiple cabs, or my regular desktop PC.

Anyone done this? Does battery life become an issue?

Title: Re: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: Havok on December 07, 2005, 01:24:46 pm
Neat idea, I don't see why you couldn't do it. I had a wireless mouse for more than a year before I upgraded to a funky LED lit optical unit. The battery life was surprisingly good - I got maybe about 8 months on a set of AAA batteries, and that's with daily use...
Title: Re: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: BobA on December 07, 2005, 01:50:56 pm
Good idea but make sure you look for an older model with a ball.  Optical wireless mice are the most common and not hackable AFAIK.  No wheels and sensors to hack into.
Title: Re: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: SirPoonga on December 07, 2005, 02:01:18 pm
Good idea but make sure you look for an older model with a ball.  Optical wireless mice are the most common and not hackable AFAIK.  No wheels and sensors to hack into.
Actually, people have tried mounting an optical mouse to read a tball with limitted success. 
I think optical mouse snesors is how the full size hyperbowl tball works.
Title: Re: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: BobA on December 07, 2005, 02:08:20 pm
From what I remember it was the positioning of the sensor to the ball that was the problem.  It has to be exactly the same distance as to the desk surface.  Also the surface of some balls may not be ideal for giving the sensor anything to track. Anyone tried a laser mouse?

Title: Re: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: RayB on December 07, 2005, 08:09:10 pm
OK so what's the consensus? Is latency an issue with wireless mice?
Title: Re: Can I make a trackball wireless?
Post by: BobA on December 07, 2005, 08:19:53 pm
I don't think latency will be a problem as I have never noticed any hesitation when using my wireless mouse.