Control panel for review if you please

[c1ph3r]

Hello all,
Just digested Saint's book and thought I'd start with a desktop CP before starting a full size unit.  Plus it will give some experience with a router and an opportunity to test out some joystick models.  The wife is already creating a honey-do list in which I'll need to use a router, so this is another good excuse.   

My goal is to maximize games that can be played with this CP.  I'd like to have feedback from the been there, done that crowd so I can avoid overlooked mistakes.

I've got big paws, so I've spaced the action buttons at 1 3/4" apart side to side, 1 1/2" between top to bottom.  Is this ideal?  Is the reset button placement a bad idea? 

I used Visio to lay this CP out and started with the dimensions listed in Saint's book.  I've also updated the visio stencils by Jack and Jason to include better drilling templates and Ultimarc joysticks.  I'll attempt to include a link to these in case they could be helpful to someone.  Let me know if I should post these somewhere else so they get the correct attention.

Thank you for any feedback you can offer, I appreciate it!!!

Large GIF image of CP: http://home.comcast.net/~c1ph3r/arcade/DJ_desktop_CP_v1.0.gif
Visio format file of CP: http://home.comcast.net/~c1ph3r/arcade/DJ_desktop_CP_v1.0.vsd
Updated Visio stencils: http://home.comcast.net/~c1ph3r/arcade/Arcade_Controls.vss

[RetroACTIVE]

3 mouse buttons is not really necessary... I considered it but decided not to and have no regrets.

You may not want your t-stick directly above your p2 joystick, I think you would find it cumbersome.

I have my spinner in the same location as yours... right above the trackball... this I would do differently also.. for games that involve a lot of trackball action... you may find yourself bumping the spinner knob.

[c1ph3r]

Thanks RetroACTIVE! 
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about the 3rd mouse button. I only use it for x-term shell pasting on my PC and now I can't figure out for the life of me why I'd need it for a MAME box.

Would you suggest 2 mouse buttons over the trackball then?

[AmericanDemon]

You can map player buttons to function as mouse buttons and thus eliminate the need for more buttons.

[markrvp]

I think the layout below will be a little more user friendly.

[markrvp]

One more thing - your buttons are too far apart.  They should be 1-3/8" Center to Center.

[RetroACTIVE]

Would you suggest 2 mouse buttons over the trackball then?
Where do you think the ideal place for the spinner and 4way joystick are?

c1ph3r, 

I like what markvp has done here...

Put the 4-way over the player 1 buttons and put two mouse buttons  at 1 o-clock over the trackball.  You can play typical Donkey Kong, Ghosts N Goblins, Galaga type classics with this setup.  By moving the spinner over the player 2 buttons, you get it out of the way of your trackball and you also now have your controls layed out more closely to Tempest (using the two mouse buttons).  The mouse buttons are mapped in MAME to player 1 buttons 1 & 2 along with L-Ctrl and L-Alt.

it is simple and fits the bill.

[c1ph3r]

Wow Markrvp,
Thanks for the repositioning suggestions!

[markrvp]

Here is how the 7 button layout works.

[c1ph3r]

Thanks again Markrvp,
Okay, I went through several iterations of the button layout and had several friends and my wife try it out so I could see how more "normal" sized hands fit.

[markrvp]

Layout looks good.  Button spacing looks good, but remember the 7th button isn't for your thumb, it is for your right index finger during 4-button neo geo games.  The 7th button is actually button 1.