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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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I've used Happ trackballs on an angle without many problems.  I think  
they probably wear faster than when mounted horizontally, but they  
should hold up for a good number of years.  I will say that the  
backlit ones can get a bit hot if you use their "standard" lamps.  And  
I have had issues with their backlit pushbuttons if the plastic ring  
is cranked down hard and you use their standard lamps.  Essentially  
the button will slowly elongate and pull inwards, causing the button  
to stick.  But at the cost point and for as long as this takes, Happ  
Control backlit pushbuttons are still the way to go if you aks me.


-William

On Sep 17, 2009, at 10:44 AM, Dave Watkins wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Jeff,
>
> I would agree with Erich and Cory.... however, Happ Trackballs use  
> the "gravity thing" for the ball to evenly make contact with the  
> receptors. They should be mounted horizontally to work properly.   
> I've seen quite a few exhibits with trackballs mounted perpendicular  
> or on an angle and then hear people trash Happ.
>
> Could this be your challenge?
>
> Regards,
> Dave Watkins
> VisitXplore
> 216-287-7822
>
> On Sep 17, 2009, at 11:10 AM, Erich Rose wrote:
>
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
>> Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
>> institutions.
>> *****************************************************************************
>>
>> I agree that Happ would be my first choice.  Recently I spec'd  a  
>> couple of their USB-ready smaller balls. They came in a pretty blue  
>> too. But they have not been on the floor long so I can't testify to  
>> them yet.
>>
>> Years ago I remember a few attempts to fit "computer" track balls  
>> into exhibits. All were disasters. Happ builds products for game  
>> arcades. One of the few environments as tough as our museums.   
>> Possibly they got a bad batch. But everything I have used from  
>> Happ(buttons, balls, lamps) has always been good.
>>
>> There are still folks who are gun-shy of touchscreens because of  
>> the earlier history of not being durable and always going out of  
>> whack. But now you can pretty much count on them being totally plug  
>> and play.
>>
>> --
>> Erich Rose
>> Exhibit, Environmental and Industrial Design
>> 807 The Living End
>> Austin, TX 78746
>> 512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]
>>
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>> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>>
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>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers  
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org 
> .
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L- 
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William Katzman
Program Leader
LIGO Science Education Center
[log in to unmask]
(225) 686-3134

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

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