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Control panel help from the experts...
skanndelus:
So, I'm at a bit of a loss here. I've been going back and forth in my mind trying to make some decisions so I can make some purchases and finish this project and play.
I essentially have a blank canvas for my control panel, it was a SlikStick unit with the CO2 control panel layout.
Here is a picture from their website that shows the type of surface I'm working with
I was unhappy with this layout, so I removed all the controls and plugged the holes, so I'm starting fresh.
I can't, for the life of me, figure out what to do next.
I am going back and forth between making it two players with the trackball in the middle, 3 players, with the trackball up top, or four players. Two players would seem to leave a lot of open space, no one seems to do 3 player systems, and four players might be too crowded. Obviously some cons to 3 or 4 players is more money.
The dimensions of the panel are as follows
45” L X 18 1/2” W , though it was 17in wide when I measured it.
They offered a four player setup that was only a couple inches larger in each direction.
See it here
I did keep the trackball and two of the 8-way joysticks.
Both of the above setups were too crowded for my tastes. I'd like a clean look with functionality as well.
If you guys can help me figure out the setup, I have a whole 'nother list of questions about what parts to buy.
I would appreciate any help!
AzureKnight:
I think you are stumped because you are focusing on the answer instead of the questions. Figure out your needs/desires first, then try to solve those.
1) How many people will regularly play on the cab? Is more than 2 important to you? Is 4? - you can fit 4 players on that size, my cp is 42" and is four players.
2) What games do you want to play, is a four way important? Trackball? Spinner? Dual joystick support? Trigger Joystick support? You have a lot of controls already, do you need or want them all?
Once you know how many players and what games you can then decide which games are the most important. If Golden Tee is your favorite game ever then you want a lot of room around the trackball. If however the only trackball game you play is Rampart, then maybe it doesn't need as much room. Etc...
yotsuya:
Either do 2 players or 4 players.
Saneless:
I personally went with 4 players simply because it wasn't that much smaller with 2 and based on my cabinet width of 30", having it be 46" was only a slight bumpout on each side.
You can make more room by eliminating the probably never gonna be used 5-7 buttons on the 3 and 4p spots. Move the stick over instead and keep what is now in button position 2,3,5,6. (1-3 top row, 4-6 second row).
Is the top stick a 4 way? It has issues here. 1, that's not a good stick for 4 ways. 2, that button below it is in a terrible spot. Even if you disable it your hand will be on it constantly and will be beyond annoying. It looks like it's just there to handle some symmetrical OCDs but isn't thought of functionally. Plus that's just an awfully long way to reach.
skanndelus:
I had the set up in the top photo.
I didn't even consider that I wouldn't need all the buttons for players 3 and 4. That solves a lot of issues.
There will probably only be one player, sometimes two, rarely 3, and rarely or never 4, but that isn't a reason to not make it four players I don't think.
I don't think I'll need a spinner or trigger joysticks. I'd like to keep the trackball for games and to use as a mouse.
Is there a 4 player template I can use?