How much space should there be around a trackball?

[Bursk]

I'm still working on the design of my CP, and I've been wondering how much space I should allocate for the trackball (let's say a 3 inch Happs).  I don't mean with regards to installing it, I mean so that I don't find myself hitting e.g. a joystick, spinner, etc with my hand when I use the trackball.

I know there are lots of trackball games in Mame, and I would imagine that some games require you to give the trackball a really good whack!  Anyone built their CP and then found that they didn't leave enough space free in the area around the trackball?

It'd be great if I could learn from the mistakes (and successes) of others.  Isn't that why places like BYOAC are great?!

[grafixmonkey]

I rolled an "air trackball" (think air guitar) to see where my hand liked to stop when I whipped it to one side and went back for another pass.  Planned the location of the trackball relative to the joystick to its right this way, and when I put everything in the spacing was very comfortable.

[TalkingOctopus]

I would say 2 1/2" - 3" on each side of the mounting plate.  Others may disagree.  Track ball games are a whole lotta fun.

Good luck and enjoy!

[Howard_Casto]

3-4 on each side with at least 5-6 inches above the trackball free.  Check any arcade panel, they all stick to this.  

[TalkingOctopus]

least 5-6 inches above the trackball free

Whoops...I meant to say that too.  That is the most important free area.

[MinerAl]

I have fatter hands than most, so I just laid my hand nest to the ball and made sure I had an entire hand's width next to the ball on both sides.  

My cab didn't require any room above the ball because of the way the CP and the Monitor are situated, but you might want to use your hand again for a rough measurement.  If you can rest your hand flat ("heel to tip") in the space above your t-ball you're probably safe.

Try a bunch of things and make sure it's right for you.  As with everything here there aren't any rules for placement.  Make it feel good and it's right.

[Bursk]

Thanks for the replies, peeps.  Just to clarify, are we generally talking about the distance from the trackball or the mounting plate?  How far beyond the trackball does the mounting plate go?  Is it about 1.5 inches?

Using the SlikStik Classic as an example, how much space have they left free around the trackball?  Is that enough for most people?  I don't have very big hands, but I want others to be able to use my CP too.

Sorry for all the further questions!

[grafixmonkey]

I have fatter hands than most, so I just laid my hand nest to the ball and made sure I had an entire hand's width next to the ball on both sides.  

My cab didn't require any room above the ball because of the way the CP and the Monitor are situated, but you might want to use your hand again for a rough measurement.  If you can rest your hand flat ("heel to tip") in the space above your t-ball you're probably safe.

Don't forget if you play one of those games that requires you to roll the ball fast, your hand has to have room to decelerate and reverse direction and not just room to get off the ball and stop.  (i.e. marble madness, golf games, bowling games...)

My trackball has two hand-widths between the side of the ball and the nearest joystick, and I'd be smacking the joystick with my hand (oops that sounded bad) if it were any closer.