Monitor angle

[DrFrag]

I'm working on a cab design similar to CyberTech's Ultimate Arcade, which I believe is also called a Defender style cabinet.

When I grew up playing arcade games in Australia, most of them were generic wood-panelled clones (and said we were committing a crime if we were playing them outside of Japan), and didn't have the marquee sticking out as far overhead.

IIRC the monitor angle was a lot lower too, so you were more looking down onto it.  I plan on mounting an LCD screen using VESA mount screws, so adjusting the angle shouldn't be too hard.

With the Defender style cab, it looks like the screen is a lot more upright.  Is this comfortable for playing?
Should I aim for a screen angle close to perpendicular to the player's view?
Is there a standard angle that works great?

I ran a search and couldn't find this question, so maybe I'm stressing for nothing.  I just like to plan a lot and have things work right. 

Thanks!

[severdhed]

when i got my cabinet, the monitor was positioned very low and you looked down upon it...i found it very uncomfortable for extended playing, so i made mine more vertical, and i couldnt be happier with it.

before:



after:

[spacies]

I would have to agree.

I just finished building this.......








..........and I love the screen in your face.

I say go for it!

[koolmoecraig]

I think the Defender cabinets are too vertical.  I find that my Q*bert is ergonomically perfect in that regard.

[koolmoecraig]

Here is the blueprint

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=26333.0;attach=6938;image

[DarkBubble]

This is something that's been bugging me too.  I don't remember it ever bothering me or actually noticing angles, but I don't remember playing anything with a major angle on it.  Everything in memory is only a little less than vertical.  I like to stand in front of a cab as much as the next guy, but if I don't have the option of being able to see the game comfortably while sitting on a barstool, sitting a little bit back from the CP, it's laying back too far.

[ringram]

I'll second the Q*bert cabinet. It is very well good on the ergonomics, eye angle, etc. I only wish it was a bit taller...

[CheffoJeffo]

For me, the screen angle relates to specific games and cab designs, so YMMV.

I prefer PacMan, Tron and Galaga with the laid back angle. Asteroids should be up and in your face, like most Williams games. (Exceptions for cocktails, of course).

For a single cab, I would expect that a more vertical angling would be less fatiguing.

[BobA]

The more straight on you are to an LCD screen you are the better the picture.  While the newer LCDs can be looked at at quite an angle the older ones suffer and will never be as good as a CRT when looking at a large angle such as a cocktail or a standup with a very laid back screen.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I kind of split the difference with my vertical cab.
It's laid back about 30 degrees or so, with the front glass vertical, like a Donkey Kong cabinet.

[patrickl]

Ergonomics manuals say that the top of a monitor should be at eye level  and that the screen should slant back by 30 degrees.