The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: cdbrown on November 19, 2002, 04:48:19 am

Title: Height of control panel??
Post by: cdbrown on November 19, 2002, 04:48:19 am
What height do you guys have the top of the control panel above the ground??  I went into a small arcade on the weekend and noticed that the panels seemed a little low (original games like simpsons, nba jam and the like).  I didn't have a tape measure with me and it's about a 45 minute drive to get there so I probably won't be going back soon.  

Can someone tell me what height the panel is on those games, I'll then add an inch or two to get a nice height.  

Also for people around 6' - 6'2" tall what do you have as the panel height?

Thanks in advance
-cdbrown
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: Animeka on November 19, 2002, 05:59:19 am

Also for people around 6' - 6'2" tall what do you have as the panel height?


I use a stool ;)
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: Brax on November 19, 2002, 08:22:12 am
I just went to an arcade auction a few weeks ago. Thats one thing I noticed. I was playing a classic Space Invaders upright. The overall height is 5ft tall!!! Many arcade machines are tiny!

They sure seemed alot biger when I was 4ft tall.  ;D
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: Thenasty on November 19, 2002, 09:53:45 am
the best thing ot do, is measure it where your waiste, then make it a little lower for the little ones, but still a good size for the big ones (did this come out right :) )
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: Jungle on November 19, 2002, 10:05:38 am
The front of my panel is at about 36" and the back about 37", giving a slight incline.  I'm 5'11" and it felt comfortable to me.  My wife is 5'2", and she doesn't seem to have much trouble kicking my a** at World Class Bowling.  

I think it is more of a feel thing.  When I first built the cab it was at 37.5" up front and I thought it felt too high - I didn't think an inch and a half would matter but it did for me.

I would try to do some sort of mock up to play with the height before desigining the cabinet.
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: SNAAAKE on November 19, 2002, 11:52:41 am
really really really depends on how big you are.I am 5'11(probley 6 feet by now.didnt check) so my panel is very high.when i go to the arcade i have trouble playing because of the panel being low.make it high enough because if its too low the your back hurts so much.if its little high then it doesnt really matter. :)
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: android on November 19, 2002, 02:16:55 pm
Rule of Thumb #1: Measure the height of your belly-button while standingand. That (or minus one inch) should be the minimum height of the cp.

Rule of Thumb#2. Flex your arms to a 90deg angle and measure the height of your elbow while standing. That is the maximum height of the CP; any higher and you will have to flex your arms up to an incomfortable position while playing. You can lower that height by a couple inches to give your arms some room to move around.

If you have ever noticed, the "ergonomic" keyboard drawers always obey the above rules of thumb.
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: cdbrown on November 19, 2002, 07:27:11 pm
Thanks for the tips everyone.  Will have to get out the tape measure to perform the rules of thumb.

Thanks again
-cdbrown
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: Hellfromabove on November 20, 2002, 12:52:18 am
If you have ever seen one of those huge MvC2 cabs with the stereo system on it then yeah thats a perfect control panel to make. That is what I will be probably making in the future. Thanx.

-See Ya!!!
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: cdbrown on November 20, 2002, 01:01:41 am
Nope - haven't seen any of those .  Do you have any pics you can post or any links?  I am keen to check them out.

Cheers
-cdbrown
Title: Re:Height of control panel??
Post by: SNAAAKE on November 20, 2002, 01:08:50 am
www.leafstation.com

the mamestation 2 panel look like that(those huge mvsc2 showcase cabinet with huge panel) however wont be easy to built.luck luck
Title: Re: Height of control panel??
Post by: Dawgz Rule on August 01, 2013, 06:48:19 am
Quote
Rule of Thumb #1: Measure the height of your belly-button while standingand. That (or minus one inch) should be the minimum height of the cp.

Rule of Thumb#2. Flex your arms to a 90deg angle and measure the height of your elbow while standing. That is the maximum height of the CP; any higher and you will have to flex your arms up to an incomfortable position while playing. You can lower that height by a couple inches to give your arms some room to move around.

Did this and it seems to work great for standing and sitting on a stool. 
Title: Re: Height of control panel??
Post by: kingstonking on September 13, 2013, 01:49:44 am
when you say 12 inches of the walk way do you mean 12 inches in front of the panel or what, a drawing or picture would help greatly?
Title: Re: Height of control panel??
Post by: zanna5910 on September 13, 2013, 01:05:48 pm
Quote
Rule of Thumb #1: Measure the height of your belly-button while standingand. That (or minus one inch) should be the minimum height of the cp.

Rule of Thumb#2. Flex your arms to a 90deg angle and measure the height of your elbow while standing. That is the maximum height of the CP; any higher and you will have to flex your arms up to an incomfortable position while playing. You can lower that height by a couple inches to give your arms some room to move around.

Did this and it seems to work great for standing and sitting on a stool.

Holy 11 year old thread revival batman!