Re: Trackball project advice please.

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Comments:
: : Z; : : First of all; welcome to the insanity!! : : To be honest, the 4-1/2" trackball is probably a little bit over-the-top. I originally had designs on this ball too, but was swayed by comments of it's heaviness as well as finding out that most arcade trackballs are the 3" type (Marble Madness, Golden Tee, Centipede etc.) : Mark, : Thanks for the great comments, it sounds like the 3" may be the better option. My main goal is to learn but I'd also like to end up with an authentic feeling and responding result. : : : I don't know too much about the Happ USB interface, but if you plan to put your finished controller into a cabinet at some stage down the road, the programmability of an OptiPAC or a Hagstrom encoder may be a better and cheaper choice. Keep in mind that getting USB to work in pure DOS is problematic to say the least... : To be honest, I was looking at this because it : appeared to be an easy option to begin with. I'm : not sure that what I build this time round will endup in a cabinet. I think I may just go with a : dedicated contol, get my feet wet and then approach the cabinet as an entirely separate project. If I aim for a sand alone controller then I'm ok with the USB as I can use mame32 and raine32 (on Feb 1 !), that being said I will read up on the other interfaces - I'll try not to : ask to many dumb questions ! : : One of the best things about this site is the Examples page where there are several write-ups of stand-alone controllers to be found. In addition the folks on this message board are about the most helpful and patient people around so feel free to ask any questions you may have - I'm sure you'll get PLENTY of input... : I think I've read them all ! That's the problem, I keep bouncing from, oh that looks good to oh wow : look at that ...... : I think my ideal would the a "One Track ball, one spinner and three button" controller. I read Fultra's comments with Inrerest as well. It sounds like my main decision is with the controller and I'm not sure that the Happ USB will support both a track ball and spinner. I'll start reading tonight to try and figure out which will handle all on my wish list. : Thanks again for all your advice (and to the others who have answered) : Zz : : Good Luck and welcome! : : Mark : : : As a beginner in this area I'm looking for any help : : : or advice you may be able to give me. : : : I've wanted to start an Arcade project for some time now. Unfortunately I live in Bermuda and the market : : : for old Arcade Cabs to modify is nill. Building : : : from scratch is my only alternative. Before I embark : : : on this project, I thought about getting my feet wet : : : on a smaller controller project. I already own a HotRod so I was thinking of a Trackball or Spinner project. : : : I was thinking of one trackball and three buttons in the design. Over at Happ, I was looking at the following: : : : For the Interface, Happ offer this nice USB jobby. It : : : looks like it will meet my needs. : : : http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/trackballs/55022600.htm : : : My question is - Will I be able to use the 4 1/2" ball : : : (part no. 55-0300-00) or does it only support the : : : 2 1/4" trackball (part no. 56-5500-10) : : : Another question is on the buttons. I'd like buttons : : : like those in the HotRod. These look to be same same. : : : http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/pushbutts/5891xxl.htm : : : I know these are questions I should be asking Happ. : : : But I am hoping someone else has looked at these before : : : and can save me from making an expensive mistake! : : : I would appreciate any advice you can give. : : : Thanks in advance. : : : Z

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