Please rate my CP. I am asking for criticism and help

[dcsgguy]

Here is my first crack at a CP.  Honestly, I don't think it is very good.  I am having a problem with placing the spinner.  It doesn't seem to fit anywhere.  I am wondering if I should just drop it.  the trackball must stay though since I love golden tee.

The second joystick is for games like Smash TV and Robotron.  I added two buttons for it in case I want to squeeze another person in for Mario Brothers or Joust.

The CP dimensions are 23.5 X 6.75.

Thanks, please critize and offer suggestions.

[MustardTent]

I'd suggest taking a look at the Control Panel DB here.  Tons of stuff to help you out.

Sorry it's not more direct feedback, but maybe you can spend some time choosing which of those looks good to you.

[moriartyds]

Three things stand out.

First, I doubt you'll have any where to rest your wrist while using your spinner based on that picture (looks like it will be resting right on the buttons which could cause accidental triggers).  Not sure there's room below your joysticks for your wrist to sit.

Second 6.5" is pretty shallow, particularly with a trackball.  Not sure how the rest of your cab looks, but I'd be very worried about hitting the trackball and following through right into your monitor screen.

Finally, at least as drawn, there is no room for the control panel box below the buttons/sticks.  Not sure how to best explain this, but since your joysticks/trackball go right up to the edge of your top panel, you're not going to be able to build a box for underneath without either the base being bigger than the top, or your joystick bottoms sticking out.  If you look at other samples you'll see room left for an overhang beyond the base of the joystick.  You should have at least 3/4" (or whatever your wood width is) unless you're not building a support box at all.

[leapinlew]

Re: the trackball. I agree with the above comments. Whats the CP box look like? Those trackballs are pretty deep.

I would ditch the 6 button layout for player 1. What fun is fighting games with only 1 person?

I would also ditch the spinner. Sorry, but it's just not going to be that usable there.

Skip the Happs ultimates and go for Supers.

I would say make it 2 joysticks and 6 buttons each (even though I think it's too small) and a spinner. Or a joystick with 2 buttons each and a trackball (and I still think it's too small).

[dcsgguy]

It is a Tempest CP.  It is pretty hollow beneath it.  I think I have some room to work with depth wise below the CP.

You are probably right on the 6 button layout and the spinner.

Here is my new design.  It has only 4 one player buttons.  The second joystick is strictly for Smash TV etc (my favorite type of games) and to make a dedicated 4 way for games like PacMan and Donkey Kong.  I'd really like to make a two player at the same time cab but the Tempest cab really isn't conducive for that.

The two buttons by the trackball are for mouse controls.  the ones in the corners are one and two player buttons.  I play on hiding the admin buttons under the coin door or placing them on the front part of the CP.

[javeryh]

Honestly, with those dimensions I'd just make it a 2 player set up with 3 buttons each (you could cram 6 in there I guess).  A great example is here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59359.msg650265#msg650265.  it's the one Aurich made for his Deep 6 cab - it's a personal favorite...

[leapinlew]

It's looking cleaner... whats the trackball doing? Why do you have it? I mean, if it's a tempest cab - put a dang spinner in there and ditch the trackball. Add a few buttons to player two and prepare to rub shoulders a lot.

So, did you decide against building out the cab like fuzzy?

[dcsgguy]

Yea I decided not to do the fuzzy design.  I wanted to keep the original CP and I think his was made of wood.  Besides, I'm not very creative with that sort of thing.

You win...I am getting rid of the trackball and just using a spinner.  Guess I have to get a wireless mouse for moving the mouse...

[leapinlew]

Yea I decided not to do the fuzzy design.  I wanted to keep the original CP and I think his was made of wood.  Besides, I'm not very creative with that sort of thing.

You win...I am getting rid of the trackball and just using a spinner.  Guess I have to get a wireless mouse for moving the mouse...

Do you have plans on needing a mouse? I rarely to never need a mouse once it's setup.

Also...

Have you been introduced to a TurboTwister 2?

[dcsgguy]

I thought I would need a mouse to setup some of the controls or to use the internet on it to download new Roms.  I plan on setting it up with a wireless card. 

I have not heard of the TurboTwister 2 and when I go to look it up on google allI get is some blender thing.  What is it?

[leapinlew]

Here you go: "http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=268"

It's a spinner. It fits in a standard button hole - so you don't have to have a mounting plate and all that other business.

I use mine as a dedicated game machine - if you intend to use it as a computer too, I suppose you would want a mouse. 

[scotthh]

Have you considered using a 2 1/4" trackball, it has a much smaller footprint than the 3" trackball?

I think you should mock up your panel on cardboard. I would be very concerned that there isn't enough room to the left of the main joystick to rest your hand while using it.

The second joystick is strictly for Smash TV etc (my favorite type of games) and to make a dedicated 4 way for games like PacMan and Donkey Kong.

Don't Robotron and Smash TV use two 8-way joysticks? That's what KLOV and MAWS say.

Perhaps you'd be best off making two removable control panels:
1. Two joysticks and two sets of buttons (no spinner no trackball), you could play Smash TV and 2 player fighters.
2. One joystick, the 3" track ball and the spinner (for everything else).