Need Critics/Exp Builders for Comment on CP

[bigbluezuk]

Before I start drilling does anyone see anything wrong with this control panel layout?  This is a Lucid CP.  There will also be a spinner mounted below the two buttons in the middle..

Thanks in advance.

http://www.at2k.org/john/cpo.gif

[Excretious]

Looks good,  post a pic when your done.   It's a good setup for Golden Tee

[miles2912]

Spinner might get in the way of the TB.  I might mount it off to a side, bring the buttons down, straighten em out and balance the spinner with a 4 way stick.  Can you tell I am into franken (read Practical) panels.   

Don

[bigbluezuk]

does there really need to be an angle on each set of controls?  Miles I noticed you went normal (perpendicular) with
yours, how is that working out so far?  Also, I covet your dewalt set..


Thanks for the input.

[miles2912]

Very comfortable fit so far.  What I did is built a cardboard mock up with cut outs of the buttons and sticks.  Tape em down and see what feels right to you.  If the angles work for you, go for it.  ... and for the record I love that dam tool set.   

[quarterstringer]

Those angled joysticks will make it hard to play dual joystick games like Robotron 2084, Smash TV, Crazy Climber and Total Carnage.

[bigbluezuk]

Here is version two.  My instinct told me to remove the angles.  Still working on overlay.  Any other forseen problems with this layout?
http://www.at2k.org/john/cpo2.jpg

Thanks guys.

[miles2912]

I almost went with the 2 buttons in the middle - so you can use the right stick for 2 button games, but after a hands on test I found that I could use the far buttons from player 1 just as easy.  I did however keep one button for hyperspace.  Get you spinner in there so you cab get a feel for how it will play out...

Don

[PCtech]

Very comfortable fit so far.  What I did is built a cardboard mock up with cut outs of the buttons and sticks.  Tape em down and see what feels right to you.  If the angles work for you, go for it.  ... and for the record I love that dam tool set.   

I agree with MILES2912 on the cardboard mockup.  I even "play tested" mine for a few days before cutting the wood.  A little extra effort, a little extra time, but it is well worth it.  It would suck to get everything cut, finished, everything and have a setup you were not comfortable with.   

Nice setup...
The only concern I might have would be mounting the spinner that low on the CP, but as long as the CP doesn't hang over the cabinet (you don't want your spinner "guts" showing), it might get it out of the way, and still be useable. 

Good luck!

[Lilwolf]

One more thing to mention.  The two buttons in the front will not be useable while playing most trackball games. 

But not a big deal, but you will be using player 1 or 2 buttons instead.  I feel more comfortable using the player two buttons myself, which would mean remapping ALL the player 2 buttons to player 1 buttons on trackball games... This is a pain.

You might want to see what you can do about putting the buttons on the side.   I don't see how, and it would make it much less pretty... but it might be useful.


btw, as for making mock CP's... I would go with pressboard.  You can get it for 3 or 4 bucks for a 4x8 sheet at homedepot... and its strong enought to handle a few days.  I've rebuilt my 2 player 8way control panel about 3 times before I got it right... and many times I played for a week before wishing to change it.  So I would say make a functional version and let it sit for a week+ and really play test.