Need control panel feedback

[jcroach]

Hello!

I'm finishing the layout for a two person control panel.  I want it to be fairly simply, with just 8-ways and buttons.  The one I've designed is 23 inches wide and 8 inches deep.  I hope to build the control panel first and then later install it into a cabaret sized cabinet. 

I have a 7 button layout like I've seen on lots of cabs here.  The buttons on the side are for Vpineball.  I have two admin buttons at the top (ESC and PAUSE).  These are going to be small radio shack buttons, not full sized arcade buttons.  And I'm going to have my coin up buttons on front, because I just want it that way! 

I need some feedback on the layout.  I wonder if it's too tight and cramped.  I don't want it to be uncomfortable to play or have the two players bumping into each other. 

Any feedback?

[NoOne=NBA=]

The size should be fine.
It WILL be a bit tight, but it's workable.
Alot of the SF cabs were conversions about this same size.

The one thing I think you may not be comfortable with is the pinball buttons.
You're not going to be able to lean against the corners of the machine (like you would on a real pin) with the buttons put that far back.
It MAY be OK for you, but it's definitely something I'd check out before you drill the holes, and commit to it.

[Buddabing]

Hello!

I'm finishing the layout for a two person control panel.

[Wyluli]

Should work out just fine.  I built one 26" wide with a similar layout and had a dedicated 4 way right in the center between the two player layout and it worked great.  Good luck!

[GGKoul]

I would move the coin buttons to the outside.

[jcroach]

The HotRodSE has pinball buttons more towards the top. It might be better for ease of wiring for you to do so too.

The pinball flipper buttons are 3 1/2 inches from the front of the panel.

[FractalWalk]

I'm not sure what you mean by "lean against the corners"

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'm not sure what you mean by "lean against the corners"  Can you elaborate?

Putting the palm of your hand right on the corner of the cabinet, and supporting some of your upper body weight with it.
They put the metal corners on real pins to keep them from wearing out at that spot.

The location may be fine on yours, it just looks too far back in the drawing.
This is probably due to the CP not being as deep as the commercial stand-alones.
(Slik-Stik, Hot Rod, etc...)
Just double-check it for comfort BEFORE you drill the holes.
Plugging and redrilling is a pain you don't want to experience.

[jcroach]

Thanks FractalWalk and NoOne=NBA=.

I understand now.  I actually thought about this when I laid it out.  I even set up a template on the side of my filing cabinet to test where my fingers hit.  Then there was the housr of "research" at the arcade at the IU student union.  My type of research!   3 1/2 inches back from the front and 2 1/4 inches down from top. I think the perspective might be off since this is a small panel. 

I will definately give it a dry run before drilling. 

Thanks again for the feedback.

[NoOne=NBA=]

The NUMBERS sound about right for where I set mine.
(I'm not a home right now to measure).

They just look farther back in the drawing because I'm used to seeing the deeper CP on the commercial units, with the buttons proportionally farther forward.
The buttons on your CP are almost halfway back, vs. the 1/4-ish of the way back on a deeper CP.
As long as they are comfortable to YOU, that's all that really matters.

I've seen alot of people go out of their way to match the EXACT distance of a Defender reverse button to their stick.
I always thought it was a little too far away, so I put mine where it was comfortable for ME.

[FractalWalk]

Then there was the housr of "research" at the arcade at the IU student union.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I measured mine.
They are 3" back, and 2-1/2" down.

Those dimensions are based solely on where MY fingers fell naturally while leaning comfortably on the machine though.

[jcroach]

There's a small arcade between the bowling alley and the pool room now.  5 pinball tables, a lot of light gun games, DDR, some Neo Geo multi-games and a Ms. Pac-Man cocktail.  I've been told there used to be an arcade at the southwest corner of Kirkwood and Indiana, but it had already been torn down by the time I moved here in '99. 

Then there was the hour of "research" at the arcade at the IU student union.

[FractalWalk]

I've been told there used to be an arcade at the southwest corner of Kirkwood and Indiana

It was called SPACE PORT. I think it was taken out in '92. There was also a Space Port across from Teter quad next to the Pizza Express. The former ruined my G.P.A, and the latter ruined my waistline.