4P Control Panel Layout Feedback/Opinions

[vindic8r]

I'm putting together my first cab, with more details soon to be announced here. Since I'm not much of a woodworker (yet!) and it seems like a reasonable deal, I'm probably going to buy a North Coast 4P panel kit for this one. I'm oscillating on whether or not I want to go with a custom design, or just use the out of the box Quad Panel. The only minor concerns that I have about the stock Quad design is that the spinner looks to be too close to the top of the panel to allow for a wheel attachment, which I'll definitely be getting at some point. So I've moved it, and the 4-way stick, down a touch. Otherwise, I've just added a minor arc to the player buttons and that's it.

Is it worth it for me to go custom for this? Or should I just go with the regular Quad and save the $50?

Many thanks in advance for any feedback. I'm most definitely a total n00b. 

[Green Giant]

If you are thinking of custom cutting a CP, why buy one from north coast customs??

Otherwise I would say you only need 4 buttons for players 3/4.

I would suggest moving the player and coin buttons closer to each players controls.  Then relocate the 4-way and spinner stuff to the left or right with the admin buttons on the other side.  Main reason is to open up a nice fairway for the trackball.

[vindic8r]

Thanks for the feedback, GG.

Sorry, let me clarify - I don't plan to cut the CP myself, I was going to let North Coast take care of it, which they charge an extra $50 for. Because of the not insignificant incremental cost, I was trying to figure out if it was worth it.

Here's an updated panel attempt, incorporating your feedback. I was hesitant to move the spinner too far off center, so that when I'm playing with it, I don't have that odd of an angle. How's this look?

[Hoopz]

Regarding the spinner, I'd suggest making sure that it's lined up for your hand as you stand in the center. 

If you are standing square to the monitor, you don't want the spinner dead center since your arm and hand will be to the side 6, 8, 10 inches or whatever.  Make sense?

You can always do a mockup on cardboard and "play" with it to see how it works.

[zallax]

I can tell you from personal experience, the 4-way and spinner are too far of a reach.   It's nice to have it centered, but I found it more comfortable to be just above P1's buttons.  Also, you might get some conflict between buttons 39-41 and P2's joystick if your panel is not sloped.  Having those buttons in-line with the 4-way joystick but above P2's buttons could be an option.  I also agree with Green Giant, 4 buttons are all that is needed on P3 and P4.

One thing to also think about is ergonomics.  Many layouts force your arms to both come in at angles, like an "A", and your wrists are then always straining to point towards the top of the panel.  I am a big believer in keeping you wrists straight for best comfort.  For instance, on my control panel the layout is designed for the left arm to be vertically in-line with the joystick.  The button configuration is designed for an angle hand, yet allows me to have multiple possibilities, e.g., Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, NeoGeo, Stargate/Defender, etc.   





Regardless of what you do, I would highly recommend cutting it out on cardboard before cutting it out on wood.  You will always find "gotchas" that you did not even consider when designing on software alone.

I hope my information helps you out on your design and good luck with your project.

[vindic8r]

Wow. Zallax, your panel does a fantastic job of being the most universal I've seen while maintaining a sense of order and crispness. I'm incredibly impressed! 

I am definitely going to be making a few  cardboard mockups. Thank you all for that tip. Better to get it right on the first try then blow all the cash and frustration on a panel design that a little experimentation would have proved flawed. Now I just need to figure out a way to print my panels here at work on our super-large printer without anyone noticing...

I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on where I land. Thanks again, all. I'm already impressed at what a supportive community we've got here.

[paigeoliver]

Reaching over other controls is never any fun. There is no reason to stack stuff in the back when you have enough room on the main panel for it.

Try something like this, although you may want to swap the positions of the 4 way and the spinner, depending on which hand you like to use for each one of those.