CP Layout Help

[urbecrisch]

Well this is my first Mame CAB so I'm just trying to get some suggestions for my CP layout.  I'll explain what I want to do and for what reason and I'm open to any suggestions anyone may have for me.  I just don't want to make any really terrible mistakes my first time around as I'm still "learning the ropes". Sorry for the bad pics.

Pic 1 is the CAB but I have since sanded and primed
Pic 2 is a mock CP made from cardboard (will be cutting and lowering it to decent height)

So here's what I want to do:

Player 1 joystick (Mag-Stik Plus-so I can easily convert between 4&8 way) w/ 6 buttons
Player 2 joystick (Topfire joystick) w/ 6 buttons
Spinner
Trackball
Various Admin buttons ( I'm usig a Keywiz Max so maybe admin buttons are not needed)

I want to place my trackball as far from the plexi in the center of the CP as possible so I have room to follow through in Golden Tee.

Where would be a good place for my Spinner?  I don't want any controls above the trackball cause I don't want to break my fingers!  I was thinking about placing it to the right and above the TB cause then I can use the Topfire joystick to play Tron and I can use the player 2 buttons for Arkanoid or other spinner games. 

Does this setup seem OK?  I know a pic would help out but I'm just trying to get a good idae and suggestions from people.  Also, can I use the player 2 joystick for certain games, like Tron without using player 1 joystick?  If so, how do I set that up?

[Tahnok]

The thing that caught my eye was that you're using two different setups for player 1 and 2 (the joysticks). I think most people will agree that it's best to keep the two player setups as identical as possible. That would mean two mag-sticks, and putting the top fire somewhere else. Maybe the topfire above the player 1 buttons, and the spinner above the player 2 buttons.

Some basic dimensions of the CP would help with figuring something out.

Admin buttons are up to you. There have been threads discussing the pros and cons of admin buttons versus shifted buttons, along with what buttons are really needed. Personally, I prefer to have dedicated admin buttons.

[urbecrisch]

Is having the player 1 and 2 joysticks identical just a preference or a necessity.  To be honest,  I really don't need the two joysticks to be identical, I just want them to both be 8 way.  But this is the kind of feedback I need so I'll play around with the layout and make a definite decision after I make a mock CP where I will use a scrap piece of wood and see exactly what it would look like.

[Dmod]

It's just a preference. 

If you're looking for 4/8-way, I recommend taking a look at Ultimarc's Ultrastik 360.  It's software configurable and can emulate just about any joystick configuration you can think of... including a flight stick (although not top-fire).

Depending on your needs... it could help to simplify your layout.

[hsstie]

Is having the player 1 and 2 joysticks identical just a preference or a necessity.  To be honest,  I really don't need the two joysticks to be identical, I just want them to both be 8 way.  But this is the kind of feedback I need so I'll play around with the layout and make a definite decision after I make a mock CP where I will use a scrap piece of wood and see exactly what it would look like.

Well i have to agree with Tahnok, If you just gotta have a topfire joystick to play tron with, a good place would be above the player one joystick and buttons ( kinda where alot of people put their 4 way stick ). Then you can have the spinner to the right above 2 player joystick and buttons and have the middle clear for the trackball. Then you can use the buttons with yer left hand and spinner with right....will have a more natural feel to use it like that ( if your right handed like me )
I would have same controls for both players. The reason i say this is because almost 100%  of the people out there will have a second player playing at least occasionally. you want things to be fair for the other person to have decent controls too otherwise don't expect them to play it more than once  ( i know i wouldn't ).
here is the review of that joystick

http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happtopfire.html

I am in the process of planning my next 2 player control panel out now, and plan on using 2 happs competitions, 2 ultimarc j-sticks instead of the mag sticks plus. I initially liked the idea of the mag stick that you could have a nice 4 way stick and a nice 8 way stick in one and change without lifting up the top of the control panel. But really, not that it matters but having 2 j-sticks and 2 competitions is cheaper than going with 2 mag stick plus. The real reason wasn't to save 5 bucks overall  , i didn't like the fact that when you start up you never know what mode your in. However much of a inconvenience it is for you ( and you will have made the cp yourself ) its more of a pain for someone who isn't familiar with your Mame cabinet. In my 4-wheel drive pickup truck...when i am in 4 wheel it tells me on the dash, and when I'm in 2 wheel i know cause it doesn't say 4 wheel. There ya go fellas. make led panels above the joysticks that tell you 4 way mode or 8 way mode what the joystick is in . But seriously, lets face it your spending hundreds of dollars ( if not thousands ) , a few bucks either way isn't really gonna make any difference if your happy with what you have after you made it ( at least that's the way i see it )

[HsS]Tie

[acevedor2]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=62871.0

That is the link to my thread.  It has pics of my layout.  I decided to go with Ultimarc's Mag-Stik plus joys.  They are switchable from the top which makes them very versatile.  I also had to have a top fire joy for Tron so I opted for Happs Trigger Stick with 2 buttons on the top.  I actually put the trigger stick above the Player 2 joy/buttons. I did this becase I am right handed and it felt much better there. Cheers.