Control panel evaluation, joystick question, joystick/spinner pairing question

[shatter]

I like to bite off a lot in one topic so here it goes.

I have decided to switch from the apache controls blackhawk spinner to the new GGG TT2 spinner since it sounds so nice and I don't think I want to play DOT bad enough to pay an extra $50.

I also changed my CP to 2 joysticks per player so here goes my new configuration questions..my current panel is 44"W x 18"D and the spinner and top-fire joystick [shown circled in orange] (TRON use) are 24" apart. Is this spacing way too wide? I am not sure what to do it make the spacing more narrow.

Next, I am going to use Ultrastik 360s for the primary joysticks and I was thinking of waiting for the GGG rotary joysticks for the secondary [circled in red]. Is this a good plan or should I throw in two top fire 8-ways instead? I am not sure what games use the top fires vs rotary and if it even makes sense putting them in the secondary position.

As you can see I am getting myself all confused so any comments are appreciated!!

Thanks!

[quarterback]

You could try something like this (and maybe slide your other controls outward just a scootch):



I have my cp set up so my arms/wrists lie between other controls to get up to my spinner and 49-way.   My only concern about this shift would be if you do lots of Golden Tee hooks that might send your hand off to the side, but otherwise it looks like it might work for you.

[quarterback]

One other thought.  You could push the spinner just a bit more to the right and put the topfire where I put it in my last post.   This way you could stand near the center of the cp with one arm reaching the topfire between the TB and the P2 joystick while the other hand reaches for the spinner between the P2 joystick and buttons.

It doesn't get your 'tron' setup as close as on the real thing (or as close as my first suggestion) but you're down to more like 15" apart instead of 24"   It also means you don't have to be reaching over the buttons to get to your spinner.

[shatter]

I like the idea of moving the top fire joystick. What do you think of this? Should still be able to play Golden Tee without hitting the top fire, don't you think?

I think I could also make the panel more shallow (16" deep instead of 18") with a little bit of button relocation too.

[quarterback]

I like the idea of moving the top fire joystick. What do you think of this?

The only issue I have is related to my own CP.  I have a 2-person CP that's primarily used as just a 1 person cab.  My player-1 set up is off to the left of center (of course) and I find myself being annoyed that I'm standing off center for all my games.   Bbecause of that, I prefer the setup that has you more centered, at least for the tron layout since it's not a setup that will be mirrored on both halves of your CP.

Here's a pic of my setup.  There are no measurements on there, but the two joysticks are 14" apart and that's a 2.25" trackball.   My CP is dramatically smaller than what you have laid out yet simply standing at my player-1 joystick and playing 1-player games makes me feel too far off center.

[Xiaou2]

 An idea i came up with some time ago... for dealing with limited
space, and many controls:

 

 Simply pick the panel up, rotate it to the other half, and
there you are.   

 A big advantage is that you do not have to reach deep
into the Control panel, as all controls are close.. therefore,
comfy in long durration.

[shatter]

I think I will make a cardboard mockup of the CP and see how off to the side it will be. I know that 90% of the time only one player will play at a time and I usually not a big fighter game guy so I like the design quarterback is showing.

I toyed with trying to make rotating control panels so reversible is a great idea that I didn't try. Hrmmm, lot's to think about!!

For the 14" spacing when playing two players are you too close together? My x-arcade panel I think is 11" apart for the joysticks and that is too close.

[quarterback]

For the 14" spacing when playing two players are you too close together?

Not so much but literally 99% of the time on my cab is single-player, so I'm not really a good source for that.

Oh hey, I should show you what my CP/cab used to be.  It was actually a FOUR player CP in its original life.  Here's a pic from the top:



Here's the cab on KLOV: http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8599

[shatter]

That's a great layout using the existing CP area you have. I just mocked this up.


I ended up with a 31"W x 16"D panel with a 17" spacing on the P1 and P2 joysticks and about a 14" spacing between the spinner and top fire joystick.

I know I will play single player most of the time too. My other friend who is going to build a cab and CP at the same time I am assuming wants two players so that is why I asked on the spacing.

Beyond smash TV is there a real need for two player dual joysticks?

Thanks for all the help!

[unix4hire]

I'm not sure why your original design was so wide, I did an almost identical panel with dual sticks and it ended up being about 37" wide and seemed to have plenty of room.   Your last design looks pretty good and comfortable, though.