Critique my joystick!

Finch · Jan 28, 2010

Sounds dirty now that I think about it.

Anyways. I'm building Custom sticks for NeoGeo, PS3 and PC.

I wanted to keep them looking like Neo Geo arcade sticks, only with extra buttons for PS3 and PC.

Buttons are Sanwa OBSF-30 and the stick is a Sanwa JLF balltop.

Generally just wanted to get feedback on the layout and look. I'm pretty happy with it so far, except that when I move the main buttons up far enough to give ample wrist rest space they crowd the Stat and Select buttons, hence the off center weird tab area over the joystick.

If you really want to try it out, print this image fullsize on a sheet of Legal paper (8.5x14"), as that's the exact size of the enclosure I'm building this in.

This is the box I'm using, walnut end pieces and all.

This is the layout/panel art.

My Start and Select buttons are 30mm right now, Thinking they might be better as 24mm. Anyone want to trade?

Xian Xi · Jan 29, 2010

Why is this in tech Finch? I would say more General or even Arcade.

Other than that, it looks good. I personally have problems playing with a curved button layout as I grew up with the straight 6 button capcom layout since 1990. I get murdered when I play using the curved layouts since I can't locate buttons properly.

I like the case you are using. Is it from a mixer?

SniperElite · Jan 29, 2010

The layout looks good. I really like the case you are using! :buttrock:

Keep us updated bro!

Finch · Jan 29, 2010

good point, I guess it should have been in general.

The case actually isn't from a mixer, thats just the only picture I could find of the actual case. Its a desktop enclosure by Hammond Manufacturing, I bought 2 of them from mouser. They are kinda pricey but its going to be awesome.

Its one of these:
http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg16.htm

Specifically 1456PH1WHCWW, the only 10 degree slop enclosure with the walnut end panels.

ECZangief · Feb 3, 2010

Very nice box. Walnut looks great even before finish.

G-sample · Feb 3, 2010

Imho I would move the start and select buttons to the back of the case to keep it from being crowded. Plus far less chance of accidental pause in the heat of battle and etc etc. But it's looking solid man. Keep us posted for sure.

XxHennersXx · Feb 3, 2010

put the start/select on one of the sides.

G-sample · Feb 3, 2010

XxHennersXx said:
put the start/select on one of the sides.

Yea that would work too. Either way is win.

TheBakachan · Feb 3, 2010

For my new Sanwa-based controller, I used an ergonomic curve layout. My old layout, that I used for the longest time, was flatter, and after a while certain games (Especially really frenetic fighters) would make my hand cramp up. Angling the whole curve to the natural angle of my arm completely eliminated the problem.

Here, have a look! (Pay no attention to the whole held-together-with-zipties thing, it was a temporary test fixture... -_-

Finch · Feb 3, 2010

I think I want to keep them on top for looks since I'm trying to pay homage to the whole Neo Geo arcade look.

I may switch the start and select to 24mm buttons though. Sucks that I already have white 30mm buttons for them, but it does feel cramped. I may move them more over to the left hand side.

That curve layout looks nice. I may try some layouts trying that and see how it feels on paper.

partypooper · Feb 3, 2010

Xian Xi said:
Why is this in tech Finch? I would say more General or even Arcade.

I'd say war room. Anytime a n-g member wants someone to, "critique his stick" it's clearly war room material.

:buttrock:

Finch · Feb 3, 2010

partypooper said:
I'd say war room. Anytime a n-g member wants someone to, "critique his stick" it's clearly war room material.

thats only if I want someone to play with it :loco:

XxHennersXx · Feb 3, 2010

Finch said:
I think I want to keep them on top for looks since I'm trying to pay homage to the whole Neo Geo arcade look.

I may switch the start and select to 24mm buttons though. Sucks that I already have white 30mm buttons for them, but it does feel cramped. I may move them more over to the left hand side.

That curve layout looks nice. I may try some layouts trying that and see how it feels on paper.

if you put them on the side, it uncramps it and you don't need to replace them. And it lessens the chance of accidental pause, if you put them on lower left your wrist will hit them.

Hewitson · Feb 4, 2010

Personally I would put them right up the top, in between the joystick and the fire buttons.

Finch · Feb 4, 2010

XxHennersXx said:
if you put them on the side, it uncramps it and you don't need to replace them. And it lessens the chance of accidental pause, if you put them on lower left your wrist will hit them.

Lower left? thats crazy talk, did you mean upper left?

Still working on the layout in photoshop. I think they are staying at the top. I don't think I'm going to hit them accidentally.

Side seems useful for buttons, but all my buttons are snap in 30mm and I don't want to try mounting those in the walnut side panels.

XxHennersXx · Feb 4, 2010

Finch said:
I think I want to keep them on top for looks since I'm trying to pay homage to the whole Neo Geo arcade look.

I may switch the start and select to 24mm buttons though. Sucks that I already have white 30mm buttons for them, but it does feel cramped. I may move them more over to the left hand side.

That curve layout looks nice. I may try some layouts trying that and see how it feels on paper.

Finch said:
Lower left? thats crazy talk, did you mean upper left?

Still working on the layout in photoshop. I think they are staying at the top. I don't think I'm going to hit them accidentally.

Side seems useful for buttons, but all my buttons are snap in 30mm and I don't want to try mounting those in the walnut side panels.

I said lower left will make you accidentally push them, someone suggested lower left. I told them it's a bad place.

Finch · Feb 8, 2010

XxHennersXx said:
I said lower left will make you accidentally push them, someone suggested lower left. I told them it's a bad place.

oops, my bad, didn't realize that.

Still tweaking things. I may post an updated version when I something else I'm happy with.

snkjoe · Feb 9, 2010

Dude that looks nice Plus it gona be mutli wow awsome

Finch · Feb 9, 2010

snkjoe said:
Dude that looks nice Plus it gona be mutli wow awsome

thanks.

I'm thinking I'll try to get pictures of the build process and post them here. I'm about to start drilling this week, I have all the components save for some DB-15 ports and cthulhu boards.

Cell · Feb 9, 2010

It has the same slant as my first Akai Mpc. I dont like slant for a controller. I think the SF4 TE stick has the best dimensions.

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