Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Stub on March 21, 2008, 12:17:18 pm

Title: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: Stub on March 21, 2008, 12:17:18 pm
I am building a large 4 player panel for an upright. What is the consensus on the proper tilt angle to build the surface?
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on March 21, 2008, 12:31:35 pm
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)
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: javeryh on March 21, 2008, 12:45:01 pm
I like a 5 degree slope.
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on March 21, 2008, 07:04:18 pm
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.
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: Paul Olson on March 21, 2008, 08:41:14 pm
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.  :o

Paul
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: fjl on March 21, 2008, 11:44:17 pm
I went with 15 Degrees. Works awesome.
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: paigeoliver on March 22, 2008, 04:30:57 am
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.
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: u_rebelscum on March 24, 2008, 06:02:59 pm
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.
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: Xb0x3r on March 24, 2008, 07:36:13 pm
When I build mine, I want to try a 1.5" slope (free materials at school)  ;D

Xb0x3r
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: jcoleman on March 24, 2008, 07:50:25 pm
I just measured a Captain America and the Avengers cab.  It has a 10 degree slope.
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: psychotech on March 24, 2008, 07:52:55 pm
 ::)

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  ;D

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Question: What is the proper control pannel angle?
Post by: Stub on March 24, 2008, 11:29:15 pm
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.