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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: The cranky hermit on June 08, 2003, 07:57:43 pm

Title: Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: The cranky hermit on June 08, 2003, 07:57:43 pm
Unlike the Happ trackball, I can actually afford this one.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: 2slk on June 08, 2003, 09:51:02 pm
 I think that is a fairly new addition to the Ultimarc product page. I can't comment from personal exprience with that trackball but if Andy sells it you can be confident that it is a good piece of equipment.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 08, 2003, 10:09:09 pm
Until this post I didn't even know Ultimarc sold trackballs. I may actually think about getting one now.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: MinerAl on June 08, 2003, 10:48:10 pm
According to Andy on his WebBoard (http://www.mameworld.net/cgi-bin/wwwthreads/showpost.pl?Board=mameworldultimarc&Number=91&page=0&view=expanded&mode=threaded&sb=7#Post91) it's a Suzo 57mm (2.5") (edit: 57mm = 2.25"), so there should be plenty of info in old posts around here about those.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: JODY on June 08, 2003, 11:12:16 pm
Should be identical to the 2.5" ones Wico sells as they are owned by Suzo.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: SirPoonga on June 08, 2003, 11:48:12 pm
Yep, that's a suzo, figures, he's in the UK.

The other option is to watch ebay for trackballs.  You can usually get a Betson for that (which the earlier golden tees used.   Also can get used tballs that may just need new rollers or bearings.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: HeadRusch on June 09, 2003, 12:31:44 am
So whats wrong with the Suza one.....his price is awfully good........
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: SirPoonga on June 09, 2003, 12:39:56 am
Nothing, if you want a 2.5" tball.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: jakejake28 on June 09, 2003, 12:45:45 am
i am buying. i am working on a 2 p. trackball pnel. looks like a good deal for me, 2 for 50 bucks. plus, i can add an optipac and save on shiping.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: AndyWarne on June 09, 2003, 06:40:55 am
Yes this is the Suzo/Wico trackball, just with the addition of a connecting cable for the Opti-PAC. Getting hold of these at a price which enables us to re-sell them was no mean feat, I had been hassling Suzo for over a year. I think this is an especially good deal for Europe customers as there has never been a trackball available for this price there before.
Compared to the Happ: The ball is heavier than the Happ and so spins further but they are slightly noisier in operation. The body is a more compact size so easier for a crowded panel.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: Zeitgeist on June 09, 2003, 07:06:10 am
Looks like a Suzo/Wico 2 & 1/4" trackball.
Haven't heard any bad comments on these.
If Andy is selling them, then they should go work well with his IPac.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: aumameman on June 09, 2003, 07:32:05 am
Damn thats GREAT!! I'll be sure to order one when I order my ipac (of course this means ill also now need a optipac, lol!)
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: Lilwolf on June 09, 2003, 08:03:18 am
WARNING ABOUT EBAY!

I bought one on ebay and the it really doesn't roll smooth... not until I put about 20 bucks on new rollers / pins.

2 1/4" trackballs are centipede size.  Smaller then many others.

The main advantage I can see in getting a 2 1/4" is, well price, AND you can put a true cue ball in as a replacement!  Kind of cool having a 9ball in there
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: aumameman on June 09, 2003, 08:14:34 am
EBAY is a great place to buy certain things like arcade artwork however I wouldnt buy a track ball or anything else that wears out quickly as that tossa sellin it could be sellin you theyre garbage.

EBAY tip, do your reasearch on how much the item is new and ask the seller questions if your unsure. If a seller doesnt include a pic of the item, be scared, very scared!!
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: mccall on June 09, 2003, 10:20:43 am
If you're buying on eBay you have to use common sense.
 
I bought a new Betson 3" PS2 trackball for $49 shipped (IIRC). When it arrived it was packaged well and was exactly as described, ie new, unused and sealed. I popped it open to check and everything was pristine.

I also bought my joysticks and buttons from an eBay seller. Two 8 way joys and 20 buttons w/switches, all new, for $19 shipped. My over/under coin door was $25 shipped. It wasn't new but it was in very good condition with two working coin mechs and working lights.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: RedSquirrel on June 09, 2003, 10:49:56 am
nice price. BUT 2 things..

does it connect straight to the mouse port? Or do you wire it up via a card?

Secondly, does it have a top plate with it?
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: traknfieldSUPAstar on June 09, 2003, 01:35:17 pm
just a guess... but i'd think you have to use an optipac in order for it work... would make sense if it was from the ultimarc site  ;)
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 09, 2003, 01:41:24 pm
What are the mlunting dimensions on those Ultimarc trackballs? I'm pressed for space so that may be a good choice.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: jakejake28 on June 09, 2003, 05:01:39 pm
hey, if i buy a few (which i will), i have 2 questions.

1) can i have 4 hooked up at once, with 2 optipacs using 2 usbs? does mame support this?

2) do i need a mounting plate for this?

i was considering buying a giant atari football trackball, but i could get 4 for that price ;D i love ultimarc
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: u_rebelscum on June 09, 2003, 05:42:06 pm
hey, if i buy a few (which i will), i have 2 questions.

1) can i have 4 hooked up at once, with 2 optipacs using 2 usbs? does mame support this?

2) do i need a mounting plate for this?

i was considering buying a giant atari football trackball, but i could get 4 for that price ;D i love ultimarc

1) Yes (AFAIK).  No, not mame, but if you have win98 or winME, Mame:Analog+ will. (see sig)

2) Yes, unless Andy is already including one.  The happs 2 1/4" plates (http://happcontrols.com/trackballs/56553000.htm) will work, but if you get the  boltless plate kit (http://happcontrols.com/trackballs/55110100.htm), you'll need to redrill the top TB mounting holes a little bigger.  At least, I had to with a wico/suzo ball from wico and the black painted one (the bolts were painted too, so maybe the zinc won't require the redrill).
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: jakejake28 on June 09, 2003, 05:56:15 pm
thanks u_rebelscum, but i still have 2 questions.

1) i have win xp. is there anything i can do to use even 2 tbs?

2) when you say *redrill the top TB mounting holes a little bigger* does that mean on the actual TB case or the wood it is mounted in?
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: u_rebelscum on June 10, 2003, 03:06:00 am
thanks u_rebelscum, but i still have 2 questions.

1) i have win xp. is there anything i can do to use even 2 tbs?

2) when you say *redrill the top TB mounting holes a little bigger* does that mean on the actual TB case or the wood it is mounted in?

1) Learn the new winXP API called "rawinput" and "rawmouse" and try to add it to a compile yourself mame.  :o  Or wait until I get a winXP computer plus time and add the code to Mame:Analog+. ;)
Besides not having XP, I'm currently spending most of my free time trying to copy a busted pole position cab :'( .  So you'd have to wait some. :-\

2) I mean enlarge the four holes on the actual TB case by ~1/64" (~0.40 mm) to ~7/32 (~5.56 mm).  
Sanding the paint off happs mounting plate kit "nuts" (the four round tubes with threads inside fused to the underside of the plate) might do it instead, since the difference is so small.
If you use the plain plates that need carriage bolts heads sticking up on top, no need to redrill.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: Tiger-Heli on June 10, 2003, 07:17:31 am
For anyone, in the states, the same trackball is available from www.wicothesource.com for $25.  I think Suzo bought Wico a short time ago.  You won't get the harness to connect to the opti-pac, but you could hard-wire it, or you could go to USB with OSCAR's USB interface for $9  www.oscarcontrols.com
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: Tiger-Heli on June 10, 2003, 07:26:55 am
1) Learn the new winXP API called "rawinput" and "rawmouse" and try to add it to a compile yourself mame.  :o  Or wait until I get a winXP computer plus time and add the code to Mame:Analog+. ;)
Besides not having XP, I'm currently spending most of my free time trying to copy a busted pole position cab :'( .  So you'd have to wait some. :-\
Cool!  So there's finally hope for the WinXP crowd.  Urebel, any idea if the next MameAnalog+ will work with Both XP and 98?  Or will there be a MAMEAnalog+98 file and and MAMEAnalog+XP file?  And, just out of curiousity, any light at the end of the tunnel for NT/2000 folks (no idea why you would run that for MAME?)

Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 10, 2003, 10:56:33 am
Anybody know the dimensions on those Wico/Ultimarc trackballs? I'm seriously pressed for space and would like to know if they would do the job.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: The cranky hermit on June 10, 2003, 11:08:00 am
He says the trackball has the same hole mounting patterns as the happ ones.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: Smittydc on June 10, 2003, 12:27:35 pm
He says the trackball has the same hole mounting patterns as the happ ones.

Yes, but I think he wants to know (as do I) the actualy physical dimensions, like width, length, and depth.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: u_rebelscum on June 10, 2003, 09:34:55 pm
Anybody know the dimensions on those Wico/Ultimarc trackballs? I'm seriously pressed for space and would like to know if they would do the job.

Trackball case approx 4.24"x4.25"x2.3" (not including ball <--edit)
happs mounting plate 6"x6"



1) ... wait until I get a winXP computer plus time and add the code to Mame:Analog+. ;) ... you'd have to wait some. :-\
Cool!  So there's finally hope for the WinXP crowd.  Urebel, any idea if the next MameAnalog+ will work with Both XP and 98?  Or will there be a MAMEAnalog+98 file and and MAMEAnalog+XP file?  And, just out of curiousity, any light at the end of the tunnel for NT/2000 folks (no idea why you would run that for MAME?)

In the next version, no.  By end of summer, maybe.  By end of year, hopefully.  Sorry for getting your hopes up too soon.

I will probably shoot for one version for both XP & 9x "multi-mousing", by checking the OS and using whichever code needed.  If needed, I'll do two versions.

AFAIK, there is no light for NT/2000 users.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: jakejake28 on June 11, 2003, 01:01:21 am
AFAIK, there is no light for NT/2000 users.

*swigs beer, reaches to coffee table for pistol*

ahh, luckily (well, sort of), i run xp.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: AlanS17 on June 11, 2003, 09:15:26 am
Screw it. I'm going back to XP... Those Act Labs GS Guns kinda blow anyways. Waste of $35.
Title: Re:Is the Ultimarc trackball any good?
Post by: HeadRusch on June 11, 2003, 11:44:58 am
I love 2000.....and I dont like XP......but my mame cabs run 98.

They only lock up once every day!

:P