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Looking for modular CP feedback (UPDATE: Construction started, pics added)
Neverending Project:
I am working on (meaning thinking about) my cabinet conversion. I will be building a new control panel, but I can't seem to decide which direction to take with the control panel. Originally I was going to build a fixed panel with a fairly typical two-player layout, six buttons each player, with a trackball and spinner in between the joysticks. But lately I have been leaning toward a modular design.
I didn't want to make a bunch of 2", 4" and 6" panel modules, and I am not too concerned with replicating exact button layouts. I also don't want to have to reconfigure the panel for every game - only when necessary. I am more concerned with getting the most use out of the cabinet without having a frankenpanel. So I am thinking about building a panel with three slots for modules to drop in. Here are some pictures of what I am thinking about:
Here is my cabinet (the model is actually what my cabinet looks like now, hence it is unfinished):
And here is the panel populated with the three common modules:
Here is what the modules will look like:
The modules will be able to be plugged into any slot. I realized that most of my gameplay will be just me - so I can put a joystick module in the center slot instead of playing off to the side. When I want to play two-player, I can populate it as shown. I can replace the trackball module with a spinner module, yoke module, steering wheel module, or maybe something else as I think of it. If I want to play dual-joystick games I can put the two joystick modules next to each other to avoid a long reach. And I can (eventually) get two steering wheel modules for the outside slots for games like badlands and sprint.
So I am looking for feedback on the overall look, and maybe things I might not have thought about. I plan on using some sort of connector that will mate with one in the box, so the module will plug itself in as you insert it. The overall width is about 34", and I am worried that is a little too wide. I am also worried that the panel as shown will be too massive. Oh, and the modules are about 9" x 7".
I still have a lot of details to work out, but am I just adding a huge amount of unnecessary complexity? Can anyone offer advice if they think it will be worth it? I imagine it is going to take a lot of work to get everything precise enough to work correctly. Any other feedback? Anything is welcome.
Thanks.
Neverending Project:
Oh, and in case it wasn't clear, this is a conversion and the cabinet is already built. I plan on replacing the control panel box only. Attached are some pics of the cabinet.
crummy:
I don't know much about modular CP's but you could consider have just the two slots - probably won't need two joysticks *and* a trackball at the same time.
telengard:
Looks like a good compromise between a fixed panel and a hyper configurable modular setup. Are you using the wooden frame to avoid having to fixate w/ screws to the panel? I'm wondering how you are going to keep things from jiggling etc. With a modular setup this can be a big issue.
In my opinion a modular panel is worth it if you enjoy playing a lot of different games and have the controls to warrant it. I am very very happy I switched to a modular setup. It allowed me to keep my cabinet looking like a classic cab (no large control panel) and also allowed me to re-create game layouts which was important to me. The extra work was totally worth it for me.
What are you considering for the connectors when seating your modules?
~telengard
NoOne=NBA=:
I went with four 6" modules on mine because that allowed me to put in two sticks with buttons, or 4 sticks.
It also allows one stick and buttons, or two sticks, to be centered for one player games.
My trackball modules are 12" because they didn't fit on 6".
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