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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: DerrickRe on March 16, 2002, 04:42:17 pm

Title: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: DerrickRe on March 16, 2002, 04:42:17 pm

I used a Happs Clear Trackball, thinking it would light up nice.  But it works more like a magnifying lens and only puts light straight up.  I put a white filter over the light and it is no better.  You can only see it lighting up if you stand right over it.

Do the translucent Blue or Red light up more evenly so you can see it from the side or across the room?

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: 1UP on March 16, 2002, 09:00:18 pm

Yes.

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: ArcadeFX on March 16, 2002, 09:41:15 pm

Happ doesn't make a clear trackball?  Where did you get the ball from?  If you did order this from Happ please post a link to it.

If you want to sell the clear ball I will buy it off you.

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: RacerX on March 16, 2002, 09:47:45 pm

I have a Happ translucent red trackball.  I find that it does the same thing you are describing.  It appears brightest when you are standing right over it.  It appears dimmer when you are looking at it from a level even with my control panel.

I wouldn't exactly say that it just magnifies it, though.  The red does diffuse the light so that it looks like the entire trackball is lit.

I don't find it to be a problem, in any case.

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: DerrickRe on March 17, 2002, 12:07:34 am

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Happ doesn't make a clear trackball?

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: 1UP on March 17, 2002, 02:24:02 am

I originally tried a clear acrylic ball in my Kidsball, but I didn't the way it magnified the PCB and every little bit of hair or dust that had collected inside.

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: DerrickRe on March 17, 2002, 10:42:33 am

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I originally tried a clear acrylic ball in my Kidsball, but I didn't the way it magnified the PCB and every little bit of hair or dust that had collected inside.

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: slug54 on March 17, 2002, 01:46:40 pm

Hey 1up  thanks for the high intensity led idea.
I had been lighting mine with an automotive flexible reading lamp. after hearing you say you illuminated yours with leds I went to Radio $hack and eight bucks later I have a really cool lighted Tball with no heat problems & you don't have to worry about the light burning out for oh 20 years or so!
                       Thanks
                       Slug54

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: SirPoonga on March 17, 2002, 10:42:46 pm

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I used a Happs Clear Trackball, thinking it would light up nice.

Title: Re: Translucent Trackballs
Post by: Rick Osborn on March 20, 2002, 04:40:04 am

I found the cheapest,  simplest and good working solution for lighting my blue trackball.

A simple plug-in night light bought at one of those "Everything $1" stores.  

I mounted it under the trackball to the base of the cab with a velcro strip.  It is plugged into a 4' household lightduty extension cord and that runs to my power strip.  So the light comes on along with the rest of the cab when the main power is switched.

Just thought I'd offer a super cheap solution since we all know how much $$ our cabs can end of costing.

Rick

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Hey 1up