Re: trackball on the cheap?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Stephen Wille Padnos
<spadnos@...> wrote:

>
> How about just getting an older mouse with an actual ball, and mounting
> that in the panel, upside down? You can connect panel-mounted switches
> to the board as well.
>
> Incidentally, mounting an optical mouse in the panel can act as a

cursor

> as well - they'll detect hand/finger motion in front of the sensor just
> fine. (though it would take some getting used to, I think)
>
> - Steve
>

They don't work very well upside down, try it. The ball weight causes
them to jam. The ones I have at least.

Optical is also cleanable, use a magnet to pic the ball out of the
hole and swab with some alcohol. Laptop optical mice are also VERY
small or at least can be.

Graham