optimum distance between trackball and joystick?

[mushmouth]

Just wondering what your opinions are. I want to try to fit a trackball and a joystick on a smallish control panel. Realistically, what is a good side-to-side distance to have between a trackball and other controllers that can get in the way, like joysticks? Any experiences?

Considering a 2-1/4" trackball, btw.

I'm curious about the problems any of you might have run into with this, and what you found to be just not far enough away.

[Hammerbot]

I have a 3" trackball. I jammed 1 button on each side as close as possible near the top of the ball for mouse buttons. Haven't had any problems.

Keep buttons away from the lower half and the bottom of the ball to keep from accidentally hitting them. Need a hand rest while playing.

In front I have a 4-way that is about 5" from the top of the ball. If/when I do it again I would make it more like 7-8" if I had the real-estate. It messes with games like Capcom Bowling and Golden tee.

[mushmouth]

What about left-to-right distance between a joystick and a trackball? For instance, you have a joystick to the right of the trackball. How far right does it have to be for it to be safe?

I think I have to go modular for what I have in mind. I just can't find any comprehensive threads or articles that give a concensus on the easiest/most swappable/most sensible plugs to use, ways to attach the modules (other than screws).

I feel strongly I want to go modular, but it needs to be easy to switch the modules. I'm a little in the dark about the options for methods and hardware.

[SirPoonga]

for a one or two player panel?

[mushmouth]

One player panel, cabaret cab.

[SirPoonga]

So what is yout layout going to be?

From left to right
joystick, buttons, tball?

If so the only layout issue is how far from the buttons the tball is.  Just take a piece of cardboad and mock up a design or two.

[mushmouth]

I just downloaded some photos of parts to use to make a frankenstein-ish mock-up of the configurations I want to have.

I'll be back with that when I get it finished...

Thanks much

[mushmouth]

here are the 3 modules I had in mind:

[mushmouth]

and this:

[mushmouth]

and this:

[mushmouth]

I should mention this is for a cabaret cab...

Thoughts on best connectors and best ways to mount/unmouth the center modules? The outside modules would stay put, so you just swap out the middle one...