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More controls than needed? Help!

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jfunk:
My cabinet's not even done, yet..  But I've been collecting controls since day 1..  I don't have as impressive a collection as some, but I've got more than I need, I think..  My question is, out of these controls, what's the best control panel I can make?  I want it to be able to play a lot of games.. But not be monstrous.

2x T-Stik Pluses with black ball tops
2x P360s
4x Midway 49-ways
1x J-Stik with red ball top
1x 2 1/4" Ultimarc trackball (w/mounting plate)

I've also got an assortment of both regular and competition pushbuttons.  And a 24x8 character LCD I'm trying to figure out how to add...

Is there any other, simple, small, MUST HAVE control?  Thought about spinners, but thinking the TB could do in a pinch..?

I was _PLANNING_ on trying to build swappable control panels.  But there are a couple of problems.  First, I can't figure out a good way to swap the hinged panel tops  :(  The wiring is easy to swap with cat5 cable and ethernet jacks..   2nd, swapping the LCD would be a PAIN!  Also, I'm just not sure it's necessary anymore..?

I was going to have 3 panels, at first:
- Everyday panel: 2 players, 7 buttons per player, trackball, t-stik pluses
- Fighter panel: 2 players, 7 buttons per player, p360s (I really enjoy fighters when my brother comes up, but typically, the first panel would be fine)
- Q-Bert/Congo Bongo panel, angled J-stik, buttons

And then, I could just add new panels (SW yoke panel? spinner panel?) when I get controls..  But, I'm thinking now that's overkill...

I've got my admin buttons, on a separate panel under the monitor.  (P1/P2 start/coin, escape, pause)  So, that should help with the design a bit.  But, what should the rest of an "all-purpose" control panel look like with these available controls?

My available dimensions are:

14 1/2" x 27 3/4"

That's actually the inner dimensions of my currently built CP box.  There's probably another 1/8"+ in each dimension...  Here's what the current CP looks like:



It's using the t-stik pluses and an IPAC4, with the trackball and an optipac, and regular pushbuttons from Ultimarc.

I still like the idea of swappable panels.  Maybe keep my original 3, but add a 4-player panel with the 49-ways..  I keep trying to figure out if there's a stable/secure way to add "wings" to my panel to make it a bit wider for 4-player use.  Would like to NOT angle the joys so I could have 2 player Smash TV/Robotron...  But this all might just be a pipe dream.  Plus, still have to figure out how to swap the tops easily.  Don't want to spend 30 minutes at it each time :(

So, any thoughts?  I'm just looking for ideas/direction..  Once painting is done (everything has stalled, recently, with the birth of my 2nd daughter :)  ) I'll be ready to put it all together!  Except for the CP!

Any/all help greatly appreciated!  THANX!!!!

Flinkly:
well, if your up for spending the money to get 4 gpwiz49's, i'd say just stick with the 49's for all your joystick needs.  that's my 2 cents.

Dire Radiant:
The everyday/fighter panels seem a little redundant to me unless you're really REALLY picky about how your fighter sticks feel.
(Hey! One of those free keyboards! Haven't seen one of those in ages!)

markrvp:
I am asking and addressing several of the same questions here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,35938.0.html

jfunk:

--- Quote from: Dire Radiant on April 28, 2005, 12:56:57 pm ---The everyday/fighter panels seem a little redundant to me unless you're really REALLY picky about how your fighter sticks feel.
(Hey! One of those free keyboards! Haven't seen one of those in ages!)

--- End quote ---

Heh.  Yeah, maybe more background is needed  :)  At first, my 'everyday' panel was going to be what I've got described, but instead of 7 buttons/player, only 4 buttons/player.  Less cluttered and plays the majority of the games.

I got anxious, though, and knew it would take longer to get 2 panels created than one, so semi-combined the everyday and fighter.  I was planning, though, on redoing the everyday at one point to be more geared towards the non-fighting genre...

And I'm not terribly picky about feel.  I love the t-stiks..  EXCEPT for fighters  :(

That free keyboard has been used on more little projects of mine..  I never did find an easy way to use those extra buttons :)

Thanx.

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