My latest control panel design

[Timstuff]

I'm strongly considering using a Happ Universal joystick as a dedicated 4-Way stick, namely because it can easily switch to a 45 degree angle for games like Q*Bert. Next to it I'm considering placing 2 action buttons, because there aren't alot of 4-Way control games I can think of that need more than 2. This will probably add an additional 17-18 bucks that I wasn't originally planning on spending, but it might be worth it to make sure my control panel is as compatable as I can get it without turning it into a smorgeshboard.

[rgecko]

Not sure where you have the coin in buttons? Or are you hooking up your coin doors for that?  also if you don't plan on playing Golden Tee, then the 3 buttons in front of your track ball are fine, otherwise, I'd move them, to the left or right a little so that a hand going forward doesn't fall on top of them and hit something. It's hard to tell the depth of your CP, you may want to move everything down more towards the front of the CP, instead of having it all pushed to the back, and Take a look at the Ultrimarc E-stick same as the Happ Universal, only the top of it rotates, so you don't have to open up the CP and make an adjustment, but that's all personal preference.
Other than that you're looking pretty good there I think

[Timstuff]

I'm not using coin-up buttons because I've got an authentic coin door that I'm restoring, and it has working mechs. But I did listen to some of your tips. Check it out.



Golden Tee Golf and World Class Bowling were part of why I bought a trackball, so I want to make sure they're as playable as I can get them.

[rgecko]

How about something like this...  I only moved the 4 way over to left side, because it will also be wired into the same contacts as your 8 way player one, so you don't want player 2 to be able to hit it and mess with player 1 in some games.  It also brings it down a little bit and right out of the way of the trackball.  You

[paigeoliver]

How are a bank of buttons up behind a joystick even remotely useful?

[daveg2000]

Its no fun using any joystick/spinner/buttons where you either:
1) have to rest the palm of your hand on 'other' buttons

[Dire Radiant]

I've seen way too many examples that people have done
where they just try to fill up space on the control panel
instead of thinking of it is practical or not.

I can never understand why people do this with a scratch built panel. For a conversion you have a certain space to work in so it's necessary. For a scratch built panel isn't it much better to design a control layout then plan the CP box to suit that layout? I say nail the function first and the form can come later.

[Veinman]

I'm struggling with this same issue. I'm working out a 4 player panel, and have been trying to decide if player 1 and 2 should have T-stik Plus sticks, or if I should get 2 Happ competitions (or maybe Supers), then throw a dedicated 4-way stick somewhere above the player 1 stick (a Happ Ultimate?).

I seem to hear quite often that the Happ sticks feel much better than the Ultimarcs, and even adding a dedicated 4-way, they are cheaper than the Ultimarcs. However, the Ultimarcs would produce a cleaner panel, with one less stick on it.

I really don't see myself playing a lot of 4-way games, but I have to check out a list of them just to remind myself what I'll be dealing with.

[Timstuff]

Stay away from the Happs Ultimate. The 4-Way mode doesn't actually physically block 8 way movement, but simply deactivates diagonal movement, making the 4 way mode more or less pointless. Retroblast gave it a very poor review.

http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happultimate.html

The Happs Universal or the Ultimarc E-Stick seem like good canidates for 4 way control. Particularly because they can easily be turned to a 45 degree angle, which is quite handy for games like Q*Bert, unless you plan to have a dedicated 45 degree angle joystick (unlikely).

Here's my latest CP redesign, based on some of Rgecko's reccomendations. It's definately getting there.



I wonder how long it will take for me to notice something else that's wrong with it.

[markrvp]

I think you still need to move the 4 way higher.  Typically 6-7 inches above buttons gives you the right clearance for your hand.

[Timstuff]

I moved the 4-Way and buttons up a little like you reccomended. If I moved it a full 6 inches though, I'd have to move it all the way to the top (which would leave little space for rotation and be a long reach) and I'd have to bring the normal buttons further down.

[markrvp]

There's no perfect solution.  I know I built what I thought was the perfect panel, but I rarely play it the way I intended because some of the buttons are in the way.  I'm currently in the process of building multiple panels for better gameplay.

[daveg2000]

What are the 3 buttons on the top right of the track ball?
Just utility buttons?

(only a suggestion) but if you plan to use them for
missle command, it feels VERY awkward to have the ball
and buttons at differing heights.
Especially if they are VERY far apart... then you will look
silly playing the game.   


I had my trackball mounted, and then took  piece of paper with
3 circles on it and moved it around till I found a comfortable
spot for it (which didnt feel right until I had the buttons at an
equal height as the trackball...)

Just another 2cents...

[Timstuff]

The three buttons you see are mouse buttons. I printed the layout up full-scale, but I must say I am not at all satasfied with their current position. I quickly noticed that in a game like Centipede or Missile Command, even if I were using my right hand for the buttons instead of the trackball, it would be very uncomfortable because it would be sandwiched between my left hand and the player 2 joystick. As for using my right hand for the trackball? Fuggeddabadit. I may well go back to having the buttons directly above the trackball the way they are in the Project Arcade book and my first design. I really have trouble imagining how it could be a problem with golden tee golf, because the buttons will be pretty flat and there will be at least 3 & 1/2 inches between the ball and buttons because of the mounting plate. I'll have to print it up fullsize and see how I feel about it.

[markrvp]

Remember that you don't have to have mouse buttons to play the games.  You can use any of the buttons 1-8 on either side of the panel for centipede and Missile Command.  Just map them in MAME. 

The only reason you need mouse buttons is for Windows navigation.  Paige pointed out to me the other day that you can actually wire your P1 & P2 start buttons as the Left and Right Mouse buttons.  When you're in Windows that works great.  As soon as MAME launches, you just map P1 start to Mouse 0 and P2 start to Mouse 1.

(I know that sounds wrong, but if you think about it for a minute it makes sense)

[Timstuff]

Yeah, I've heard of doing it that way, but I'm not quite sure how much I like that idea. I think that using 3 dedicated mouse buttons may be more for me. I'll try moving them back to above the trackball and see how I like it.