CP "Over-Hang"; how much is too much?

[TelcoLou]

I've been doing a LOT of measuring and designing before the next major purchase for the cab; the all-important control panel.

I've pretty much decided on going with the stock 35" wide 2-player panel offered by arcadesrfun, and came up with what I think is the most comfortable, most functional layout:



The cabinet itself is 25 1/2" wide, and I'm using a 19" monitor, this will leave ~5" extended on either side of the cab. Now I've seen several examples of the dreaded "Frankenwing" panels out there, and I was worried about this panel layout falling into that same category, but I definitely wanted to avoid crowding when 2 players are involved, and also need both a trackball and spinner (for our 2 favorite games; Centipede and Tempest)

Any thoughts, suggestions, input is as always, greatly appreciated. 

[unclet]

Having 5" overhang on both sides does not qualify as a Frankenpanel.....

My 4-player control panel is 56" wide and can be viewed as a Frankenpanel by some ...... but I love it since there are usually 3 to 4 kids playing on the cabinet at the same time.

[severdhed]

i don't think it will look bad.  that is the width of my cabinet, and my control panel is currently 30" wide.  i am about to build a new one though and was thinking of making it 34" to make just a little more room for the 4way stick and the spinner.  a few inches here and there shouldn't look bad.  if you are sticking out a foot on either side, then it may look a little wierd.  but then again, i think that functionality is always more important than form.

[TelcoLou]

Thanks for the input guys

  Yeah, I guess my main concern is the viewing angle; by the looks of it, Player 1's joystick would line up exactly where the edge of the cabinet is, so I was concerned about how most games would "feel" while standing over to the left or right side a bit. Although, Tempest & Centipede would be great

[severdhed]

i have a 19" monitor in my cabinet, and my p1 joystick lines up with the edge of the cabinet, it doesnt feel too far off to the side at all.  you can't be perfectly centered when there are two players, and if you get much closer than that, there isnt enough room for elbows.

[skippy0420]

I don't think that will affect your view all that much. You can shift your body a bit toward the centerline anyway! :-)

I think that I am looking at a 36" wide by 18-20" to leave room for the trackball and spinner....