Did you figure this out @alchle ? I'm working on the same project (stitch regulator) and I've had success with a native PS/2 optical mouse, the "Logitech PS/2 Optical Wheel Mouse" which I bought recently from Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HGMMH6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 )