My Control Panel Layout

[Visitor Q]

My CP layout will look like the attached picture and I am wondering if I should to some rearranging on the top half where the 4 way joystick is and spinner?

I am considering moving the 4 way over a little so that I can have the option to place a driving wheel on top of the spinner and move the 3 buttons for the four way all in a line, maybe give them a rainbow type arch to them.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[DaveMMR]

You'd need a few more inches of clearance for a steering wheel (check the GGG site for exact dimensions).   I'd just ditch the extra three buttons all together for the space.  Most 4-way controlled games use only one or two buttons (on MAWS, only 18 results came up needing 3).   You can comfortably use the main action buttons.   Test it out and see how you feel.

[Visitor Q]

I guess my idea was or is along these lines.

No good, I mean other than my crap cut and paste job.

You think that button would be in the way on the left side of the spinner?

[Hoopz]

Moving the 4 way over which way a little, left or right?  I'd say move it to the left.  Moving it allows for more follow through on the trackball without someone jamming their hand on it. 

[Hoopz]

I'd also suggest getting a piece of scrapwood or cardboard and making a mockup.  You can see how it feels and what you think using it.  It'll be a lot better than drawing it on a pc or paper etc.  You can stand there and see how it really feels and you'll notice little things that are good/bad etc.

[Visitor Q]

Here is a better picture of my idea.

Do you guys think this would leave from for a 5 or 6" wheel?

[DaveMMR]

Not liking the 4-way position for TB games that involve heavy jamming (Golden Tee, for example).  But you can block a button with the wheel I suppose (it's higher up, I would imagine and the button wouldn't physically prevent it from going on the panel).

I still say get rid of the buttons, and move the spinner and 4-way over.  But if you want them there, you'll really need to check the clearance of the wheel (take your hand into account too) when testing.

[Hoopz]

Is the green item directly above the trackball a joystick, spinner or button?  If it's anything other than a button, I suggest moving it.  Trust me, you don't want anything with a profile higher than a button directly above your trackball.

[Visitor Q]

Well it certainly would be more directly above the trackball if I move it over rather than the original layout as seen below.

Maybe I should just leave well enough along. It seems the below layout has been pretty well thought out and I need to come to the conclusion that I will never be able to accommodate everything.