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4-Player CP Critiques/Suggestions

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sstralkowski:

This CP looks a lot like mine except I only have 4 buttons for players 3 & 4.  I also have no spinner, but instead a pause button right under my 3 admin buttons.  I use my admin buttons for save, load, and escape.  The front corners are cut at an angle on my CP so that you know the angle of the 3 & 4 joysticks. 

severdhed:

is this going to be your only cabinet?  if so, you may want to reconsider the trackball.  i didn't want one when i first set mine up, because i didn't know of any good games that used it.  i'm not much of a golden tee golf fan.  however shortly after setting up the one at work, i was introduced to centipede and millipede, and i absolutely needed to have one after that.  world class bowling is also alot of fun.

51mmz0rz:

Yes, it would be my only cabinet, I see what you mean about versatility.  I had some reservations dropping the trackball due to Marble Madness, but like you, didn't seem to be a fan of any trackball games.  I am hoping the analog mode of the U360s might work in a pinch, but you do have me considering a trackball in case I start to like a trackball game in the future.

I would likely go with something like the attached layout, the buttons might be a little awkward to reach, but not terrible.  What do you think about the trackball addition?

severdhed:

that should work.  even if you don't put one in right now, at least leave room for it so you could add it later.(you'd still have to disassemble your panel, but at least you woudln't have to build a new one.)

one thing people might say is that depending on the cabinet design, having the trackball too far back can result in jamming your fingers into the monitor.  i've personally never done it.  I had a trackball installed in a panel that the center of the trackball hole was only 6" from the back edge of the panel, i never once hit the screen with my hands, but my idiot friend came over one day and did it 3 times in a row trying to play golden tee golf.  personally, i think centipede and millipede are worth having a trackball for.  the kids really love to play world class bowling, which is alot of fun.  the u360s analog mode doesn't work very well for trackball games.  personally i would rather have a trackball than a spinner...i am not really a hard core fan of any spinner games, and the trackball can do in a pinch for casual use. 

i have my trackball in my vertical classic cab, i did not install one in my 4 player showcase cabinet...however i did leave enough space in case i wanted to add one later.  and since i have one sitting here collecting dust, i will probably be installing it before too long.



51mmz0rz:

Thanks severdhed, I think you have convinced me to add a trackball.  In my desire to keep the panel uncluttered maybe I went overboard.  The new panel design looks fine and is certainly more versatile.  I can live without a dedicated 4-way, but it is hard to replicate a trackball.  Plus it wouldn't negatively impact any existing controls on the CP, as it is pretty much out of the way.

It looks like I will go with the attached layout, which is the same except I moved the spinner down just a bit to align with the bottom-right P1 button, giving the trackball a bit more room.  At first I placed the trackball halfway between the spinner and the back edge of the CP, but ended up moving it about 0.5" closer to the player for a more comfortable reach.  This would be 7.75" from the back of the CP and 6.75" from the spinner.  Since trackball games aren't top priority anyway, I'm okay with this.

Since Mameroom using the Happ cutout, I would likely be using a Happ USB trackball, mounting the plexi over the mounting plate.  At first I was afraid of the cost, but quickly realized the pricing on the Happ website is out of line with what everyone else charges.

So thanks again severd and everyone else that commented, I think I'll be happier with this new layout.  Still, let me know what you think!

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