Control Panel Concept

[Thumperman]

I have searched through the forums for anything related to control panels and have seen many great ideas. I have come up with one layout that I would like to gain some opinions on.

I have tried to make this layout to fit the majority of arcade classics and have ease of use when playing the golf variaties available (Tiger Woods, Golden Tee, Links). I also wanted to be able to play Asteroids fairly easily, which is one of my all time favorites.

- SlikStik Tornado Spinner
- Happs Competition Joystick
- Happs 3" High-Ball Trackball
- Ultimarc T-Stik PLus
- Happs buttons

- Ultimarc 28 Input I-Pac
- Ultimarc Opti-PAC Interface
- Happs USB Extension Cables

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Tom

[MameJunkie]

Is there a reason you want he Mouse R/L and Track 1-3 buttons?

To make a less of a frankinpanel, I would recommend doubling up either P1 or P2 buttons for those.  That way the panel will look a little cleaner.

The joysticks and the buttons look a little too close.  You might have some room issues trying to hook up the microswitches underneath the joy and button 7.

What keyboard encoder are you using?  If it has some sort of 'shift' function capability, you might want to also hide some of the admin keys.  Some people like fix admin and some don't,  its just a option.

[Hoopz]

How about using the Mini-Pac instead of the Opti-pac?  It supports a trackball and spinner.  And if you went that route, you could eliminate the I-Pac also.  The Mini has support for 28 switches.  Have you considered going that route to save a little money?

http://www.ultimarc.com/minipac.html

[Thumperman]

HoopZ,

Thanks for the suggestion, I think I will go with the MiniPAC. I do not see any reason to stay away from this Idea. Wiring is not problem.

MameJunkie,

Are you saying that you can share both the trackball buttons and the mouse buttons with Player 1 and/or Player 2? I like the idea of sharing the trackball buttons with player one and I am currently researching that idea..

Thanks,
Tom

[MameJunkie]

Yea, you can use P1 and/or P2 buttons as the trackball/mouse buttons.

Also, if you are going to get the Mini-PAC, you need to get the USB cable if you want to support tractball/spinners.

[Jabba]

I've got my player 1 and 2 buttons wired to both the I-PAC and the Opti. Works like a charm.

[MameJunkie]

I'm on the ledge on the Admin buttons.  I can see usages for having dedicated buttons.  I was going to have them myself but the cab I just finisned, I only use the default Mini-PAC shift functions plus I configured "shift + button 3" as reset.  It kept my CP cleaner.

[markrvp]

I assume you have the T-stick for your 4-way joystick and the 2 competitions are your P1 & P2 8 ways? 

I would ditch the T-stick and go with a Happ 4-way MsPacman/Galaga reunion stick.  This is a better 4-way solution and is closer in feel to the other joysticks on your panel.  The T-stick throw is too completely different from the Competitions.  I speak from experience because I originally did exactly what you are doing and replaced my T-stick plus with a 4-way reunion stick.

SlikStik Tornado already comes with a Ps2/USB combo cable, so it plugs straight into your motherboard, not the Minipac.  My preference would be to get the PS2/USB trackball and use the regular Ipac.  This would elminate the Optipac and give you screw terminals on your keyboard encoder.  You also don't have to worry about a harness to connect the minipac to the trackball.  It costs a little more, but gives you the most flexibility.

I have all the parts mentioned above (Ipac, minipac, PS2/USB trackball, Tornado Spinner), so these opinions are based actual use.

I also agree that I would ditch the 5 buttons dedicated to mouse/trackball.

[MameJunkie]

Right on the money...

I assume you have the T-stick for your 4-way joystick and the 2 competitions are your P1 & P2 8 ways?

[Thumperman]

markrvp,

Thank you for your comments. I was wondering about the Tornado Spinner with its own interface. I was also not sure what was a good 4way joystick and I like that idea.
---------------


Here is my lateset solution from all of the advise I have recieved:
2- Happs Competition Joysticks (8-way)
1- Happs 4-way MsPacman/Galaga reunion stick (4 way)
1- Happs 3

[markrvp]

Here is my lateset solution from all of the advise I have recieved:
1- Happs 3

[MameJunkie]

Just noticed something in the pic.  Is that a power button in the front?  If so, you might want something to cover it up or move it.  You wouldn't want to accidently press it while playing games.

[Fozzy The Bear]

I really like your USB sockets on the front of the CP box... That's a good idea if you want to plug in USB Joypads at any time.

Anything else is down to personal preference. But IMHO One thing I would do is make the panel a little narrower... That's a thumping wide panel for just a two player unit.

[IG-88]

Hey Thumperman what did you use to draw your CP? Visio I hope?

[Doc Thirst]

Pardon the dumb question, but I have seen this in a few designs now.  What games use the 7th button (the lower one near your j-stick) on your button group? 

[Barkuti]

Yep, that's something I've also wondered sometimes. Why 7 (or more) buttons?
I know there are games that use more than 6 buttons, but honestly speaking, any worthwhile title within such a reduced group that makes having 7+ buttons a necessity?


Cheers

[JamIt]

Re the "7th" button.
Many people like it oriented that way to simulate the Neo Geo control panel.  Many Neo Geo titles have 4 buttons.
--JamIt

[markrvp]

Here is an illustration of how the 7 button layout is commonly used.

[Doc Thirst]

AH!!!

I knew it looked familiar, I just couldn't place it.  Thanks for the low-down, sorry for the hyjack.