Weird vintage analogue trackball
Added 2024-09-08 12:57:12 +0000 UTCI remember buying this from a surplus supplier, and I think there may have been a manufacturing tolerance issue with the design. It also has a very "firm" ball action versus the more common, but expensive free-rolling optical type. (My preferred input device is an optical trackball for use with PCB CAD.)
At the time trackballs like this were aimed at professional applications, and this was probably an attempt at making a cheaper one for gaming use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtPeN5nf90c
Comments
I had one exactly the same, probably from the same surplus warehouse! I threw the main parts out a couple of years ago, but kept the ball in case I can think of anything to do with it in the near future!
Stephen Eyles
2024-09-10 21:25:38 +0000 UTCHmm, a 15 way D connector? Something is making me think "BBC Micro", as that was its connector of choice for joy sticks, light pens, etc. Also, unlike Atari and CBM, the Beeb's joysticks were (IIRC) analogue, so that would fit in with pots in this trackball.
Jon Knight
2024-09-09 11:30:17 +0000 UTCIn addition to Missile Command, the later Millipede just isn't the same without a trackball controller. This is a bad design; the pot gear shafts that interface with the others are only anchored at one end, so they don't stay aligned. An extra hole on the other side for an extended shaft to sit in would have fixed that...
Charles
2024-09-09 01:43:11 +0000 UTCMaybe the idea of using potentiometers came from what was used on Pong games.
NN Thomas
2024-09-09 01:22:26 +0000 UTCThe old analogue joysticks connected to the same 15 pin D connector. I think that my junk "box" still has one in. I suspect that it'll be a similar idea with a couple of pots operated from the stick.
Alice Chapman
2024-09-08 15:07:48 +0000 UTCInteresting old thing I guess it wont get as fluffy inside as the old ball mouse too. 2x👍
DC Allan
2024-09-08 13:32:52 +0000 UTC
