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More controls than needed? Help!
jfunk:
My cabinet's not even done, yet.. But I've been collecting controls since day 1.. I don't have as impressive a collection as some, but I've got more than I need, I think.. My question is, out of these controls, what's the best control panel I can make? I want it to be able to play a lot of games.. But not be monstrous.
2x T-Stik Pluses with black ball tops
2x P360s
4x Midway 49-ways
1x J-Stik with red ball top
1x 2 1/4" Ultimarc trackball (w/mounting plate)
I've also got an assortment of both regular and competition pushbuttons. And a 24x8 character LCD I'm trying to figure out how to add...
Is there any other, simple, small, MUST HAVE control? Thought about spinners, but thinking the TB could do in a pinch..?
I was _PLANNING_ on trying to build swappable control panels. But there are a couple of problems. First, I can't figure out a good way to swap the hinged panel tops :( The wiring is easy to swap with cat5 cable and ethernet jacks.. 2nd, swapping the LCD would be a PAIN! Also, I'm just not sure it's necessary anymore..?
I was going to have 3 panels, at first:
- Everyday panel: 2 players, 7 buttons per player, trackball, t-stik pluses
- Fighter panel: 2 players, 7 buttons per player, p360s (I really enjoy fighters when my brother comes up, but typically, the first panel would be fine)
- Q-Bert/Congo Bongo panel, angled J-stik, buttons
And then, I could just add new panels (SW yoke panel? spinner panel?) when I get controls.. But, I'm thinking now that's overkill...
I've got my admin buttons, on a separate panel under the monitor. (P1/P2 start/coin, escape, pause) So, that should help with the design a bit. But, what should the rest of an "all-purpose" control panel look like with these available controls?
My available dimensions are:
14 1/2" x 27 3/4"
That's actually the inner dimensions of my currently built CP box. There's probably another 1/8"+ in each dimension... Here's what the current CP looks like:
It's using the t-stik pluses and an IPAC4, with the trackball and an optipac, and regular pushbuttons from Ultimarc.
I still like the idea of swappable panels. Maybe keep my original 3, but add a 4-player panel with the 49-ways.. I keep trying to figure out if there's a stable/secure way to add "wings" to my panel to make it a bit wider for 4-player use. Would like to NOT angle the joys so I could have 2 player Smash TV/Robotron... But this all might just be a pipe dream. Plus, still have to figure out how to swap the tops easily. Don't want to spend 30 minutes at it each time :(
So, any thoughts? I'm just looking for ideas/direction.. Once painting is done (everything has stalled, recently, with the birth of my 2nd daughter :) ) I'll be ready to put it all together! Except for the CP!
Any/all help greatly appreciated! THANX!!!!
Flinkly:
well, if your up for spending the money to get 4 gpwiz49's, i'd say just stick with the 49's for all your joystick needs. that's my 2 cents.
Dire Radiant:
The everyday/fighter panels seem a little redundant to me unless you're really REALLY picky about how your fighter sticks feel.
(Hey! One of those free keyboards! Haven't seen one of those in ages!)
markrvp:
I am asking and addressing several of the same questions here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,35938.0.html
jfunk:
--- Quote from: Dire Radiant on April 28, 2005, 12:56:57 pm ---The everyday/fighter panels seem a little redundant to me unless you're really REALLY picky about how your fighter sticks feel.
(Hey! One of those free keyboards! Haven't seen one of those in ages!)
--- End quote ---
Heh. Yeah, maybe more background is needed :) At first, my 'everyday' panel was going to be what I've got described, but instead of 7 buttons/player, only 4 buttons/player. Less cluttered and plays the majority of the games.
I got anxious, though, and knew it would take longer to get 2 panels created than one, so semi-combined the everyday and fighter. I was planning, though, on redoing the everyday at one point to be more geared towards the non-fighting genre...
And I'm not terribly picky about feel. I love the t-stiks.. EXCEPT for fighters :(
That free keyboard has been used on more little projects of mine.. I never did find an easy way to use those extra buttons :)
Thanx.