Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: MannyTC on February 16, 2003, 02:30:28 am
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Hey all
I am getting an order of parts together for my next cab. I have been looking at trackballs and wonder if anyone has any experience with the 3" Wico Trackballs located on the bottom of the page here http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page89.htm (http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page89.htm).
They are on sale for a few bucks off ($46.99) and that is a great deal cheaper than what Happs has to offer. Anybody have any input on this for me?
Thanks!
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wico: Enclosed case, bigger than happs. Rollers located on top and left sides probably better for flat control panels and/or golf & bowling games. Mounting holes a fraction too small for use with happs mounting kit (http://happcontrols.com/trackballs/55110100.htm) without redrilling them a little bigger. Smooth roll, but doesn't free spin as long as the happs 3" high lip. 1/16" lip
happs 3" high lip: Encoder wheels exposed. Smaller case than wico. Rollers located on bottom and right probably better for tilted control panels and mostly downward spin games (marble madness). Took a little longer to break in, but still is a little "louder" than the wico. Free spins longer than wico. 3/8" lip.
Both are nice arcade quality trackballs. Both work great with optipac. Same wire layout, same location mounting holes. I said "probably better" above because of physical layout, but didn't really notice much difference in use.
I've talked about the differences in prior threads, too. I went into a little more depth those times, but, basically, you should be happy with the wico under most conditions.
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Thanks alot for the input!!
I did use the forum search prior to asking. I searched for all references to Wico and/or Trackball and didn't come up with much. Maybe I just missed it. Can you point me to the thread you are referencing when u get a chance.
Thanks again
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Try this one ... last response
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=4636;start=0
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What about replacement parts for the Wico trackballs? Any issues there? I see Happs has replacement parts listed for their trackballs but I have been unable to find any at Wico's site for theirs. Am I just blind? Will the Happs parts fit a Wico?
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The Wico sales flyer here:
http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/specials/special2.htm
says they have replacement parts. I guess they just don't list them - you have to call.
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Ok I've read opinions in the old posts and archives. Even though it seems like most people like the Happs best (and that is what I originally had in mind for the new cab) I am leaning toward trying a Betson because of price. They have the refurbs selling for $30 and seems like you can't go wrong for that price. They also have readily available replacement parts available. According to a previous post the betson and wico TB units were identical inside.
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Where are the Betsons available for $30?
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They are on the website for the finding. Search for trackballs and then do a part search for the standard trackball part# but with an 'R' added to the end. Remember I said they were refurbed.
I believe it was 47-4300-01R
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Don't know squat about either one of them. I'm a happy owner of a translucent blue "Betson Imperial" PS-2 ;D ::)