Trackball parts

[Sshado]

OK, I am a little confused, this is going to be my first build.  I was planning on getting a 3" trackball (Hi-ball) from Happ.  I am confused   on what are all the parts that I need to order?

I am planning on getting the KE72 from Hagstrom also.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Sshado

[shmokes]

You need the trackball (of course) and the mounting plate (you don't NEED this, but if it's your first build -- or even if it isn't your first build, spend $10 and get the mounting plate to avoid ulcers).  Make sure you get the correct mounting plate.  There is one mounting plate specifically designed for the 3" HIGH-BALL trackball and one for basically all the others, so if you're getting the High-ball make sure you get the correct mounting plate.  The last thing you'll need is an interface (basically the wires running from the trackball to your computer).  You can get the Happ interface which will work fine, but only has inputs for ONE optical device.  If you plan to ever add any other optical devices to your control panel (another trackball, spinners, optical rotary sticks) you might want to purchase an Optipac from www.ultimarc.com as it gives you inputs for hooking up two trackballs and any combination of four more rotating devices (e.g. sticks and spinners) all at the same time.

[Sshado]

Will I need the Optipac if I get the KE72?

or

which is better, the KE72 or the Optipac and IPac?

[RubbrDug]

I recieved my 3" High-Trackball from Happ about three weeks ago (ordered in UK). Maybe I misread the specifications, but I thought there would be no ball in it. In fact it came with a white ball. Now I've got one in spare, I will propably never need. So maybe you should make this clear when ordering.

I am using an Opti-PAC but have no idea what is better. For now I must say that service & speed of ultimarc is unreached by my other arcade-related orders.

[Nailz]

Will I need the Optipac if I get the KE72?

or

which is better, the KE72 or the Optipac and IPac?

If you are just adding a trackball and want the KE-72, make sure you get the KE-72-T, this comes with a trackball interface.  If you are also getting a spinner, then you would get the KE-72 and the ME-4 which is what I did and it works great.

Or you can go with the IPac/OptiPac option.  Either way you really won't go wrong.

[Sshado]

Thanks for the responses  I ended up switching to the IPac/OptiPac configuration.

I can't wait to get started