How does this tickle your fancy?

[Monkeystoe]

Hi all I am brand new to this MAME-sation (I call it that because I couldn't sleep for days thinking about it.)  This is my first post but have been doing a lot of reading here.  Great  place by the way.

Anyways,  I think I have a great idea for a control panel.  Simply put make it reversible.  Lets say you want  2 player playability with 2-8way sticks 7 buttons a side a track ball a spinner a dedicated 4 way stick and numerous other buttons and possibly even more...more is almost always better as it give more playability for more games.

Try this.  All wiring is usually inside a box that you make for the CP there is a top and a bottom.  Why not give it two tops.  Standard 2 player setup on one side and on the other a trackball and spinner and possibly the 4 way.

  Only a PS/2 or USB cable and possibly a power cable should be coming out the back of the CP so turning the CP over wont require unplugging anything(Just remember to not always turn over the same way could lead to very twisted cables), and all the wiring is still on the inside of the CP

So no needed extra ipac for separate CP's no remapping no unplugging just flip and no more bashing into joystick when using the trackball no stretching for that spinner. You don't even need extra material to build it.  You already have two sides...Use them... Makes perfect sense to me.

What do you think?

[Witchboard]

That's a good idea.

[Scott84]

make sure the wires dont twist.. too much

[Witchboard]

Ah.. I think you're talking about flipping, not rotating.  Sorry, mis-read what you were meaning.

[Monkeystoe]

I suppose you could always very quickly unplug  and replug when you make the flip really should only take seconds if connections are located right at the back of the CP

[quarterback]

It would be a pretty thick CP, but a pretty interesting idea.

[Monkeystoe]

It would be a pretty thick CP, but a pretty interesting idea.

I doesn't have to be any thinker if its planned right.  Trackball between the two joysticks on the other side(and their corresponding buttons)

[quarterback]

It would be a pretty thick CP, but a pretty interesting idea.

I doesn't have to be any thinker if its planned right.

[DrewKaree]

Sounds like you'd have lots of bolts showing, but I'm betting I'm just not picking up what you're putting down.

More 'splaining, Lucy, por favor.

[quarterback]

Sounds like you'd have lots of bolts showing, but I'm betting I'm just not picking up what you're putting down.

More 'splaining, Lucy, por favor.

Check this artwork baybeee!

One side has 2 joys, each with 3 red buttons and a trackball, the other side has a 4-way joy, 5 red buttons and a blue spinner.

[quadmasta]

Seems like he wants something like 1UP, just a whole bunch easier.  I think he's saying he wants to flip it like turning the page on a book.  It'd have to be like 10" thick though.

[DrewKaree]

Ya, that's what I had pictured in my mind, but I can't figure out how it's going to be done without having the "guts" from the other side showing.

I agree it's a good concept, but have absolutely no idea how you'd hide the undersides of the controls of either side, unless, like was guessed at, it was 10 inches or so.

[menace]

I get it--its a two sided box with the axis of rotation running from the front of the control panel to the back--easily enough done--use lazy suzy bearings (hollow centers) and run your wires to the pc through there--you would have to make sure it only rotates one direction and reverse otherwise your wires will bind eventually.  You would also have to make the cabinet wide enough to accomodate the diagonal length(corner to corner length) of the control panel or else it will bind on rotation.  If your x-axis parallel to the front of the cab and the y-axis is front to back, rotating along the x would be way simpler and more elegant in turning than having it flip on the y-axis.  less clearance issues for one.  of course if you are just going to pull it up and out and then flip it--ignore the above--then you have to worry about pull out issues (don't we all  )

[Monkeystoe]

Or....How about this I know modular CP's are not a new idea but usually only 3rd and 4th person extensions onto the sides.  What about a track ball or spinner that can hook onto the front of the existing CP.  You could hide a PS/2 or usb connection under your existing CP for easy hookup.  I just hate not having room when using a trackball.  Nothing worse than being over crowded.

There are quite a few inventive ways of supporting the CP that wont take away from the look of the Cabinet when the add-on is not in use.  Use your imagination.

[quarterback]

What about a track ball or spinner that can hook onto the front of the existing CP

I'm pretty sure I've seen somebody here at BYOAC who's done exactly that.

[pointdablame]

What about a track ball or spinner that can hook onto the front of the existing CP

I'm pretty sure I've seen somebody here at BYOAC who's done exactly that.

and that is only one step away from modular controls, which are a much nicer setup in my opinion.

As for the flip design.... I see one problem... how would you secure the CP?? If it was on an axis of rotation, you'd have to remove the entire front of the machine to have it rotate around.  If you mean to simply unplug it and flip it manually... how is going to be held on?  Velcro won't be enough in my opinion.  Clamps could work but add a lot more work to the point where I'd say swappable panels are a better atlternative.  No screws or bolts.. that's even more work..  I just can't see how it would be viable although I like the concept.