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Looking for Input on Control Panel Layout

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Indyplumber:

Well, my cabinet is almost done as far as woodworking is concerned.  Now I just need to complete the control panel top.  I've made a template from cardboard to make it easier on me.
I have played with the buttons and I'm pretty happy with where they are but it's the placement of the joysticks that have me puzzled.  It's a pretty common mini-frank panel with 2 8-ways, a 4-way, a spinner and trackball.  I've gone with 2" center to center spacing for buttons and kept 8-ways 3.75" center to center from buttons. Anyway, here are some layouts I've played with.

I'm concerned with 2 things:

#1 - will anything be in the way of the trackball?

#2 - will it be awkward to use the spinner or 4-way?

Exhibit A:  8-ways toward the center and 4-way/spinner toward edges



Exhibit B:  Left 8-way has moved to the edge.



Exhibit C:  Left handed 8-ways again, but Spinner and 4-way moved toward center.  (i worry about the spinner here)



Exhibit D:  4-way and spinner still center and both 8-ways to edges  (just wonder if right 8-way will be awkward feeling even though this gives a lot of access)



Exhibit E:  Same as D but Trackball moved 1" up toward center.




Feedback and advice is welcome.  And the $50 is what my dad just dropped by for my birthday.  Gonna put it toward a coin door!  :applaud:






Nephasth:

I think 2" centers on the buttons is a little too much. Give 1 1/2" centers a try and see if you like that (I used 35mm centers which is a little less than 1 1/2"). I would go with Option C, but I would rotate the 4-way 90 degrees and place the spinner near (but not too close) to the bottom right corner of the 4-way. But in the end, go with what feels best to you.

mgb:

I would say C.
I definately wouldn't go a route that put the 6 button configurations to the left of the 8-ways like A,D or E.

you want to make sure that you can comfortably reach the spinner without having a joystick in the way.
I assume your concern for the track ball clearance is for Golden Tee.

Indyplumber:


--- Quote from: Nephasth on May 24, 2011, 10:39:33 pm ---I think 2" centers on the buttons is a little too much. Give 1 1/2" centers a try and see if you like that (I used 35mm centers which is a little less than 1 1/2")
--- End quote ---

I was wondering about that too.  I'm gonna try placing them 1.4 to 1.5 inches apart and see how that affects the Joysticks.  Maybe open up the center some more.


--- Quote from: mgb on May 24, 2011, 10:44:51 pm ---
you want to make sure that you can comfortably reach the spinner without having a joystick in the way.
I assume your concern for the track ball clearance is for Golden Tee.

--- End quote ---

Yes, golden tee.  I'm gonna change the button spacing and see if the right Joystick moving to the right helps with the spinner placement.


Nephasth:

It might not be too bad to move the two buttons near the 4-way to the right and place the spinner between them and the 4-way.

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