Angled vs. Flat Control Panel

[patstg]

Is there a consensus on whether slightly angled control panels (like the ones in the Project Arcade 2 plans) that tilt down towards the player are better compared to completely flat?

Background: I'm planning on building my first cab. I'm starting from the Project Arcade 2 plans, but I want to make some mods, probably including a 2 level control panel like Jeff's Supercade. It would be easier (fewer modifications to the cab itself) to get those 2 levels in if the control panel were flat.

Thanks!

[Jumpman64]

Welcome to the boards.  I think if you did a survey of arcade machines you would find very few with truly flat control panels.  If you do make it flat, you may want to set it a couple of inches lower than typical.  Just my opinion

[Generic Eric]

There are some control panels with rather dramatic angles.  As I recall from prior converstations, the average angle is between 7 and 10 degrees.  YMMV.

[Yourname942]

I find slightly angled CP's are more comfortable/ergonomical.

[Xiaou2]

Control Panels are generally angled because players may be of different heights. 

 If the control panel is flat, and you are a little short, your wrists / arms may get ate up hanging over the sharp edge of the CP.    Likewise, if your very tall, a flat CP could make it so that your wrists are bent at too extreme an angle.. causing too much discomfort.

 The angle allows a much greater range of people to play it comfortably.

 

[Unstupid]

7 degrees... No more, no less!

[patstg]

Thanks for the responses! I'll work on tweaks to get the 2 level angled panel to fit!

[Unstupid]

Wait... You are building a 2 level control panel?  This can not be good!   

[patstg]

I thought the two level panel was a nice idea to make room for extra controls. Does it have a bad rap here?

[Dekieon]

I saw some of the two level panels, and they looked pretty good, mind you I have never used one so there might be issues that i am unaware of. 

The one I liked the most, (and I would suggest you do something similar), is the one machine that had the trackball on a ramp that extended to the second level. This would keep you from ramming you hand into the second level when rolling forward.

[Unstupid]

I thought the two level panel was a nice idea to make room for extra controls. Does it have a bad rap here?

I have never seen a multi level panel that is not a "Frankenpanel"!

[DaveMMR]

I have never seen a multi level panel that is not a "Frankenpanel"!

I agree, though I think they can look somewhat 'neater' and/or 'organized' than regular Frankenpanels.

Just as a caveat to OP: make sure you really, really want all those controls (that would necessitate the two-levels). Don't, for example, put a Tron stick thinking you may want to play Tron one day... maybe. Have some specific 'must play games' in mind and their control requirements and design accordingly. It'll save you time and money. 

My old machine had joys/TB/spinner and I realized about 90% of the time, I just played simple joystick games. Guests almost never played anything requiring special controls (except Arkanoid).

[kahlid74]

I have never seen a multi level panel that is not a "Frankenpanel"!

I agree, though I think they can look somewhat 'neater' and/or 'organized' than regular Frankenpanels.

Just as a caveat to OP: make sure you really, really want all those controls (that would necessitate the two-levels). Don't, for example, put a Tron stick thinking you may want to play Tron one day... maybe. Have some specific 'must play games' in mind and their control requirements and design accordingly. It'll save you time and money. 

My old machine had joys/TB/spinner and I realized about 90% of the time, I just played simple joystick games. Guests almost never played anything requiring special controls (except Arkanoid).

To add to the chorus of Dave and unstupid make sure you really really need those extra controls.  Every one I have seen looks super crowded and just doesn't flow nicely IMO.  This is also an opinion, so if the OP really wants it go for it.  It's yours in the end, not ours.

[rCadeGaming]

I would say angle it so that the average height player (probably you if you'll be playing it the most) can lay his/her forearms comfortably on or just above the panel while playing, so the wrists are straight.  Same thing with button layout, make sure you don't have to twist your wrists left/right.  Don't angle the joysticks though.

[arzoo]

My first mame rig uses a two level control panel (pic here). Putting aside the Frankenpanel debate, I'll say this - although the upper level allows the controls to be spread out nicely, for long gaming sessions it's not as comfortable as the lower level. And even with 14" between the track ball and plexi - fingers are still occasionally smashed when playing Golden Tee. But it is angled - about 8 degrees 

[Gray_Area]

I have never seen a multi level panel that is not a "Frankenpanel"!

Um. And?

[Afterburner]

Would you consider this one a frankenpanel?



I left the upper deck open to add a flight stick, spinner,  and dedicated 4way.  Been thinking about ditching the 4way and upgrading to two servostiks instead on the lower deck.

[Endprodukt]

Would you consider this one a frankenpanel?

That's what I consider as an franken-cabinet. The monitor is completely out of place and the control-plans you're having are just over the top. Sorry, just my opinion. 

[kahlid74]

Would you consider this one a frankenpanel?



I left the upper deck open to add a flight stick, spinner,  and dedicated 4way.  Been thinking about ditching the 4way and upgrading to two servostiks instead on the lower deck.

I think FrankenCabinets/Panels get a bad connotation.  At the root is the idea that a cabinet/panel was made in a way the builder wanted, but could have been made better by reading a little more or taking more time.  When I say better it really comes down to efficiency.

So for me, I also think of your machine as a Frankencabinet.  The first machine I ever built was a FrankenCabinet/Panel.  I don't wish to take it back, but instead I've learned how to do things more efficiently and how to make them look better.

[chopperthedog]

Did someone say Frankensomething?



good day.

[CoryBee]

[Unstupid]

Would you consider this one a frankenpanel?



I left the upper deck open to add a flight stick, spinner,  and dedicated 4way.  Been thinking about ditching the 4way and upgrading to two servostiks instead on the lower deck.

Yes, that's a Frankenpanel!  You broke rule #2, Unnecessary Redundancy...  You have 2 trackballs for all those dual trackball games right?

[dgame]

Dual Trackball Games?

ROMLister -find: trackball &  sim

Atari Baseball (set 1)
Atari Football (revision 2)
Atari Soccer
Basketball
Blades of Steel (version T)
Cabal
Dunk Shot (FD1089A 317-0022)
Excite League (FD1094 317-0079)
Extra Bases
Galaxy Games StarPak 2
Goalie Ghost
Gridiron Fight
Lemmings (US prototype)
Major League
Marble Madness (set 1)
Pound for Pound (World)
Rambo III (Europe)
Rampart (Trackball)
SDI - Strategic Defense Initiative (Japan, old, System 16A, FD1089B 317-0027)
SegaSonic The Hedgehog (Japan, rev. C)
Speed Ball (prototype)
Spiker
Super League (FD1094 317-0045)
Tehkan World Cup (set 1)
Wally wo Sagase! (rev B, Japan, FD1094 317-0197B)

[Unstupid]

Dual Trackball Games?

ROMLister -find: trackball &  sim

Atari Baseball (set 1)
Atari Football (revision 2)
Atari Soccer
Basketball
Blades of Steel (version T)
Cabal
Dunk Shot (FD1089A 317-0022)
Excite League (FD1094 317-0079)
Extra Bases
Galaxy Games StarPak 2
Goalie Ghost
Gridiron Fight
Lemmings (US prototype)
Major League
Marble Madness (set 1)
Pound for Pound (World)
Rambo III (Europe)
Rampart (Trackball)
SDI - Strategic Defense Initiative (Japan, old, System 16A, FD1089B 317-0027)
SegaSonic The Hedgehog (Japan, rev. C)
Speed Ball (prototype)
Spiker
Super League (FD1094 317-0045)
Tehkan World Cup (set 1)
Wally wo Sagase! (rev B, Japan, FD1094 317-0197B)

Exactly.... And if you look a lot of those cabs are cocktails which won't work with 2 trackballs in an upright cab.  Other than Marble Madness and Blades of Steel dual trackballs are useless!

[rCadeGaming]

Segasonic the Hedgehog uses 3 trackballs, 1 for each player; and it would be totally worth it because it's such an awesome game and you'd play it all the time.

[Xiaou2]

Unst00pid,  Please remove the UN from your user Id, so it more accurately represents your true nature.

 If the guy likes to play a SINGLE two player trackball game, such as Marble Madness... thats his prerogative.
Obviously, Marble Madness isnt really well known and popular?  Ohh wait, not only were they in pretty much
every arcade in the 80s...  but then the game was ported to several home computers and console systems.

 Its called an Opinion.   Some people eat the same things every day... and do the same exact things.  Yet there are
others, who seek out new experiences, new foods, and enjoy a lot of variety in their lives.

 
 As for two player Cocktail games, there's no reason they cant be played in a stand up configuration.   Just invert the
Axis's if you need to do so.   If your talking about the view,  think about it.. People can race RC cars from any position around the track.  Its no hard to do.

 
 Rampart is almost unplayable without a trackball.  Its also a great game.
 SDI is also a cool game.
 Just tried Cabal.  Fun game.
 Just tried Dunk Shot.  Cool perspective.  I liked the rolling controls.

 Ive played a real Atari XO football with the 4" trackballs, and found it fun as well.

[Gray_Area]

I think Afterburner's design is well-thought out, and obviously the monitor is preliminary. It may be, or have stayed, that way for a long while, but still.

That DK cab is AWE-some. Pull up a chair, bro. yeah.  I ---smurfing--- LOVE my candy for this reason. Just last night I was sitting in front of it, musing how cool it was to sit and play games at such an awesome machine.

And having two trackballs just for Marble Madness is worth it. If you have two people playing very often. Well, except that the game has a certain limit. Even if you get good enough to get to the last screen....there's a last screen. Only seven, actually. But still!