Trouble placing my trackball buttons

[zaphod]

I am having trouble placing my trackball buttons where they would be easy to use but out of the way during game play.  I've included a pic of the first prototype panel I'm reworking.  This is close to the shape I want it, except for I will have a curved front rather than edged.  

After placing the trackball buttons, I realized that they are actually too far forward.  They would be into the front panel of the base (the front edge of which is shown by the blueish straight line).  I've toyed with moving them upwards a bit, but that interferes with P-2's joystick.  I am a big Robotron fan and the buttons would be under the heel of my right hand.  I like how much free area I have around each control.
 
Any ideas on where I could place them that would be out of the way or is there a way I could remap them to another duo/trio of buttons?

[Magnet_Eye]

Do you really need trackball buttons? why not use the buttons on your player one or player two layout for gameplay?

[zaphod]

Not for game play, I wouldn't.  I would only need them for navigating (easily) through Windows.  If there is another way of doing that, I'd be happy to leave off those extra buttons.

[Brax]

Not for game play, I wouldn't.  I would only need them for navigating (easily) through Windows.  If there is another way of doing that, I'd be happy to leave off those extra buttons.

Why not for game play? Make player two's 4,5,6 buttons the mouse buttons. It's a waste of buttons and space to do anything else. You could do a switch or a relay but why bother when using the button as is works fine.

[zaphod]

Thanks for the input.  I'll take your suggestion and just use the bottom row from player two.  I was planning to do that for gameplay but didn't know if that'd also work for when I was navigating Windows.  

[paigeoliver]

I only used two of my trackballs three buttons, but I used mine for player 1 start and player 2 start. Because those buttons are seldom used, I figured they were a great choice, since a lot of emulators won't let you map mouse clicks to controls (console ones).

[Frostillicus]

also you probably thought of this, but you don't have to use the regular giant pushbuttons as mouse buttons - get some small momentary contact black buttons from radiocrap and stick those up in the corners - or lower corners.   They carry all black ones - tiny little things compared to happ buttons.
If you only use them occasionally these are a good alternative - plus they have a low profile.  It's an idea.

wouldn't using other buttons for the mouse button cause a little havok in mame? like if you press button 4 in a game but it's also left mouse button...etc...

[Cue-Ball]

What are the two black buttons directly above the trackball?  You could put the mouse buttons there quite easily.  Then just map them in Mame to P1B1 and P1B2 and they'll be convenient for use with the 4-way joystick also.  This is the setup i use and it works out quite well.

[zaphod]

What are the two black buttons directly above the trackball?  You could put the mouse buttons there quite easily.  Then just map them in Mame to P1B1 and P1B2 and they'll be convenient for use with the 4-way joystick also.  This is the setup i use and it works out quite well.

You are correct about the buttons- they are for use with the 4-way joystick to their left.  I looked at your site and think I understand what you are saying.  Thanks.