Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?

[Stub]

I am building a large 4 player panel for an upright. What is the consensus on the proper tilt angle to build the surface?

[Fozzy The Bear]

I am building a large 4 player panel for an upright. What is the consensus on the proper tilt angle to build the surface?

Depends on the cabinet and the height of the panel from the floor....... It's really a case of build it to the angle that feels most comfortable to you. Make a mock up from cardboard and couple of bits of timber, then stand infront of it an figure out what feels right.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[javeryh]

I like a 5 degree slope.

[NoOne=NBA=]

My preference is around 5 degrees too.
To make it simpler to figure out, a 1" rise for each foot of run will get you in the ballpark.

If you put too much of an angle on the CP, you will have to crank your wrists to get them in line with the buttons, which will welcome carpal tunnel problems.

Along those lines, a CP that actually angles downward would be a great thing from an ergonomic standpoint.
They make keyboard trays for touch-typists that angle that way.
That keeps your wrists straight, which prevents your tendons from turning sharp angles, which is what causes carpal tunnel.

[Paul Olson]

Mine is at 10 degrees; I just copied the original panel from my cab. I would probably change it to 5 if I remade the panel; sometimes my button hand gets a little sore for a few minutes when I start playing, might just be because I am old though. 

Paul

[fjl]

I went with 15 Degrees. Works awesome.

[paigeoliver]

I have owned original machines with panels that varied from near vertical to completely horizontal. You will want a mild angle if you are using a trackball.

[u_rebelscum]

If you put too much of an angle on the CP, you will have to crank your wrists to get them in line with the buttons, which will welcome carpal tunnel problems.

Along those lines, a CP that actually angles downward would be a great thing from an ergonomic standpoint.
They make keyboard trays for touch-typists that angle that way.
That keeps your wrists straight, which prevents your tendons from turning sharp angles, which is what causes carpal tunnel.

The best angle varies depends on the height of the CP, the height of the user, the arm lengths of the user, and the stance of the user.  Example: like a 40" tall kid would prefer a CP that's too low and too angled for a six foot adult, unless the adult stands very far way and leans forward a lot.

The "backwards sloping" CP is only good if the CP is low enough compared to the user, and the user stands close enough and upright enough.

Now I like 5-7 degrees, on a fairly high CP ~39"-41".  But I remember playing on cabs (pacman style) that were too tall and/or not angled enough when I was a kid, but now are too short and/or angled too much.

[Xb0x3r]

When I build mine, I want to try a 1.5" slope (free materials at school) 

Xb0x3r

[jcoleman]

I just measured a Captain America and the Avengers cab.  It has a 10 degree slope.

[psychotech]

 

Depends on your height vs. the height of the panel.. and what really feels right for YOU.

Instinct works nicely too ..as does making a cheap cardboard mock-up 

 

[Stub]

Working on the mock up now. I was making it for button distance and joystick, but I put some books under it and see if i can get a feel.