I am building a M.A.M.E. cab and I would like to include the trackball from my Golden Tee arcade panel in the new M.A.M.E. control panel.


Being that there are many here that have built a few M.A.M.E. machines in there life (cough sparky cough) I was wondering if I could get some input on the best device to convert my button presses AND track ball movement to PC input.

My research shows I-Pac as the best that I can find, however, there are a few versions of I-pac and I am wondering which is best for a easy hook up/ integration of the trackball WITH the normal 14 or so arcade buttons (6 per side and 2 starts)

also wondering if there is another brand that I may not have heard of.  I do know of X-Arcade and have one of there sticks. no complaints for X-Arcade, but there price for just the encoder is a bit higher than I-Pac

All inputs/opinions are appreciated.

Thanks all.

The Ipac is a keyboard encoder, so you need that for the various buttons/joysticks you will use. If you're using an existing arcade trackball, I think you need the optipac. Sparky can confirm:

http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.php?to=4goto=1

I didn't need to use this, I bought a USB trackball, so it was just a question to connect it to my PC and voila, a Trackball that also acts as a mouse for winxp use.

Quoted from The Loafer

I didn't need to use this, I bought a USB trackball, so it was just a question to connect it to my PC and voila, a Trackball that also acts as a mouse for winxp use.

wow, where did you get a USB track ball and what did it run you?

There are lots of them.  Lots of places to check out Ultimarc for parts, the guy who runs it (Andy) is the best.  Don't let the location (europe) fool you, if you order something, you'll get it in record time.

http://www.ultimarc.com/trackball.php
http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/565600xx2.htm

I think the one I have is the Happ version, very happy with it.  My trackball was bought off an Ebay store for about $100 and I'm having a brain cramp tonight, I can't remember for sure if that's the one I have but I think so.  It's fantastic, I repeat, FANTASTIC. But if you have a trackball already, it is probably a lot cheaper to just get the optipac (if that's what's needed, again I'm not expert) or use a mouse hack of some type.

I always like to show this off, illuminated is the way to go

Trust me... go with a USB trackball. It is plug-and-play. If not, then get an Optipac like Loafy said.

For the trackball, look for COINTECHTEXAS on Ebay. I get them from him.

thank you sirs.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350094838870

As you can see, it's even cheaper than if bought directly from Happ. Keep in mind, depending on how you install it, you might need the mounting plate and other hardware.  Best to research this first to ensure you get everything you need.

I've always used a J-pac for the controls and hacked a mouse for trackball control. It's worked well for me.

Quoted from Grauwulf

I've always used a J-pac for the controls and hacked a mouse for trackball control. It's worked well for me.

do you have any info on how to hack a mouse for use with my golden tee track ball?

Sparky.... do the usb trackballs from CoinTechTexas come with the mounting bracket? or did you have to make one?

I used this one from Groovy Game Gear for the trackball...

http://groovygamegear.com/webs.....&products_id=260

Very easy to install, works perfect.

Trackball/mouse hack
http://dacab.datplace.com/MouseHack.htm

Lots more of those via google.