Ready to build my Control Panel

[joe35car]

Well I'm finally going to take the plunge and build one. I will order from mameroom the CP. I will be using all leaf switch buttons and also 3 leaf switch joystick. Just would like a little feedback before I send in the plans. Here are the parts I will be installing:

3 leaf switch joysticks

Happs ill blue 3" trackball

Happs flight stick with trigger and 2 buttons on top

UltraStik 360 Oval Top: This will be my 4way towards the top of panel. Wanted this so I can map it for 4way games and also be able to do 45 degree games like Qbert and Congo bongo.

1 top button joystick towards the far right for the game battle zone and others.

Apache spinner with push/pull for disc of tron

All buttons will be leaf switch except for the top 3 in the left corner and also player1 and player2 (the 3 buttons are for esc. pause and tab)

The 2 buttons on the right of the trackball will be for the game track and field to run and the button slightly to the top right will be for jump/throw

I attached a few pic of the design. Like I said any feedback would be great before I submit it.

Thanks

[joe35car]

forgot to add the pics and also the 4way stick will be round top.

[Le Chuck]

I think you have too many buttons.  The trackball is right next to 7 buttons belonging to a joystick already.  What's the harm in using those?  I'm sure track and field will be awesome using one of the 14 other available buttons nearby.  Why do you need 5 more buttons around it?  Ditto the Tron Stick, it's surrounded by buttons.  If you're going through the effort to use a U360 is there a reason why you need it off by itself?  Wouldn't it do fine as a primary stick since it's so configurable? 

I'm all about the push pull spinner, have one myself.  Why would you want that way up at the top of your panel where you have to reach for it?  Also, with all that space I would recommend spacing your Tron stick and spinner a few more inches apart so you're hands aren't on top of each other.  I built a 17.5 in panel for my bartop, I have no choice, you're got what looks like an acre, give those two some room. 

It's yours man, and it does look good now, but I think that you can do some refinement.   

[joe35car]

Well thanks for the input and gladly appreciate it. As far as the buttons between the flight stick I have 2 buttons on the left and 2 on the right and the 1 slightly towards the top left for the layout for asteroids. Also the buttons on the left of the stick will be used for the 4way joystick games. I made a template of the CP and I will be able to reach fine with the spinner and flight stick for tron. As for the 3 buttons on the left of the trackball I was trying to keep the missile command panel as the original but I think they are to close to the trackball. Love the feedback and welcome more ideas if you have any.

Thanks again

[joe35car]

I kind of was going after this layout that's how I got the idea where to put the flight stick and spinner.

[joe35car]

This might be and idea where to move the flight stick but on the right side of the panel and bring down the spinner. The more ideas and feedback I get from people the better. Sometimes it's good to get another perspective view.

[Le Chuck]

Okay, that second one by northcoast is horrendous.  It's great that it has light up buttons but why on earth do you need 6 buttons for player 3 and 4 and are all of that guy's family and friends lefties who grew up on lefty cabs? 

It sounds like you're spending some money on this, spend a wee bit more and do dedicated panels, or two smaller specialty panels.  If you're huge into trackball do a dedicated missile control panel, do a tank stick panel with the push pull spinner on that one and one of the tank sticks should be your tron stick.  The other can be a regular or topfire.  Hell, get froggy and do dual tron sticks.

The other panel you posted I think would have issues with the spinner being right beside that 4 way and the Tron stick is in the perfect "hit it every time I play a bowling or golf game" position.  That said, I like that panel a lot more than the other and with some rearranging you can get that one to work for you if you just one one panel. 

[SammyWI]

I have to agree with Le Chuck here.  It seems like just too much in one CP.  I'd try to have some of those buttons used with multiple controllers - some of the joystick buttons could be shared with the trackball, etc.  Don't try to do too much in one cab.  Multiple cabs, swappable panels, etc can all be done.  Of course, everyone has a different definition for how much is too much  .  Have fun, it's your cab.  Don't be surprised if you start thinking about that next project before this one is even finished!

[joe35car]

Thanks guys that's why I came here and posted some pictures of the layout. I will get rid of about 5 lie buttons and the 3 on the top left I will put like on the side of the panel and also try to spread out a few things. Will paste New pics to see how it looks. Thanks again for the ideas

[Le Chuck]

Really look into a getting an LEDwiz and doing light up buttons.  I haven't built one yet but floating around I can see that this is the key to Frankenpanel use-ability.  When executed correctly you start a game and the buttons and joys that you need light up.  This way a guest doesn't have to ask which buttons to press for Missile Command or Defender, they just have to pound on the lit ones while you cringe.  You can also color code them so red is always fire... etc.  This will allow you to reduce the number of buttons you feel like you need and plus, it does add some wow factor to your panel.

[joe35car]

I was thinking of that also. I have illumination blue buttons so I'm not to sure about doing multicolor on those. Just light them up with white led's I guess. Yes I seen the video on that where when the game starts the buttons for that particular game lights up.

[joe35car]

OK I did a little more tweaking to the panel and got rid of some buttons and moved a few things over.

[yaksplat]

A few things that you might want to adjust. 

Do you want your groups of 6 buttons in a straight set, or would it be better to set them up in an arc like this:

My template:


On your two joysticks that are furthest out from the center, if these are bottom mount, is there enough room?  They're pretty close to the edge of the box.  I made this mistake on one of my builds and I had to creative drill the box to make the joystick fit when the lid was closed. 

Make sure that you have enough room for a steering wheel on the spinner if you plan on using one later.  They're a lot of fun for driving games.

I'd shift the 360 to one of the main sticks.  It can do everything they can and more

[joe35car]

Thanks for the suggestions. As for the outer sticks they should have plenty of room. Overall height: 6.25" as far as the UltraStik 360 I understand what you are saying but I love the feel of my leaf sticks which is why I want then both for player 1. Player 2 I want to have the 49 way with rotary adapter.   

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/reviews/49-way_2.html

I already have the parts for it. I will use the rotary interface from ultimarc

http://www.ultimarc.com/rotary.html

Lastly the 2nd stick on the far right will be top trigger.

I'm going to make a cardboard cutout and make sure everything feels right first before I have him cut the control panel for me.

Thank you all for your ideas, greatly appreciated.

[joe35car]

OK I'm deciding on 2 versions of my control panel layout. Just would like some feedback from some people.

Thanks again for all your help and ideas.

[Le Chuck]

Number the second one!

[joe35car]

Not sure what you mean. You like the one with the flight stick to the far right? I respect your opinions that's why I ask. Thanks again

[Le Chuck]

Not sure what you mean. You like the one with the flight stick to the far right? I respect your opinions that's why I ask. Thanks again

Control panel 1, with the flight stick on the right.  Sorry about that. 
I think you'll have better use of your trackball with that one and I like the spacing better.

[DaveMMR]

Maybe rethink the need for the three dedicated trackball (mouse) buttons and this way you can center the trackball (it's not terrible placement now, but it just seems a bit roomier).  Also reducing gratuitous buttons cuts guest confusion dramatically.