Which Panel Looks Best?

[nigelmercier]

I decided to make the front panel out of 6mm MDF with a sapele veneer...

I've finished making the panel, it is pictured in the three mock-ups below. Now I need to decide where to cut the holes:

[UPDATE] Some have also suggested another order, so see new options [4] and [5], just quote these references.
Also note, the CP180 plotter is not my main plotter, I use a PC.

[1] Tops Aligned:

[2] Screen Tops Aligned:

[3] Vertical Centres Aligned:

3, but personally I might prefer it with the largest instrument central?

Like this [4]:

Or this [5]:

 

[Leighb]

3, but personally I might prefer it with the largest instrument central?

 

[VicS]

I've finished making the panel, it is pictured in the three mock-ups below. Now I need to decide where to cut the holes:

But it would look even better with the LH and centre instruments swapped over

( beaten to that by a few seconds !)

 

[oldbilbo]

Howzabout making some bespoke trim to fit around the two 'slimline' instrument casings, such that the tops 'n bottoms are aligned.....?

 

[prv]

Are those images really to scale? I assume you've checked the dimensions, but the SH180 plotter looks much smaller than I remember from when we used to have one.

As for the layout options, I think the tops of the instruments adjacent to the edge of the panel will be the most prominent piece of lining-up from most viewing directions, so option 1 will work best.

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

3, but personally I might prefer it with the largest instrument central?

OP Updated.

 

[prv]

Like this:

Am I right in thinking (despite the compass screen in the stock image) that the Matsutec instrument is an AIS transceiver? To me the above layout seems to be giving it undue prominence. Surely the plotter is the one you'll spend most time looking at?

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

Surely the plotter is the one you'll spend most time looking at?

Good point, I should have said: my main plotter is on a PC.

 

[prv]

Good point, I should have said: my main plotter is on a PC.

Wow - I already thought a plotter at the chart table was overkill (I use a plotter on deck in conjunction with charts on the table), but now you effectively have two down there?

Pete

 

[Twister_Ken]

Centres aligned, so 4 or 5.

 

[jwilson]

Centres aligned, so 4 or 5.

+1

 

[Thedreamoneday]

3 for me!

 

[2nd_apprentice]

3 and I would want the most important instrument in the middle, which in my case would be the chaft plotter. In your case, hmm.

 

[testmonkey]

Question implies the panel should look good. So how about opening/masking and spray painting the cases so that they have matching colour.

 

[jerrytug]

All those arrangements seem dictated by pathologically rigid OCD, why not have the instruments where you can best see them, at a suitable angle.

Will you always be looking at those displays with your head vertical? If you might be coming below for a quick check then jumping back on deck, your head will be leaning over at 45% when you pop it round the B/H for a quick look, and that's when a clear sight picture matters, in pilotage for example. So they should all be cocked leaning over sideways at suitable angles,
then not flush with the panel bt angled outwards in a suitable way, I have found a mild example:

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Isn't there a bit of duplication of information there?

 

[jerrytug]

Do these illustrations help?

 

[LadyInBed]

Re 4 or 5, are you L or R handed?
The plotter will get the most button pushing, so if Right handed I would go for 5 assuming you don't have to contort.

 

[prv]

Re 4 or 5, are you L or R handed?
The plotter will get the most button pushing, so if Right handed I would go for 5 assuming you don't have to contort.

That's a very good point. In laying out my chart table panel one of the many factors I took into account was the ergonomics of reaching out with my right hand, either while sitting down working with a chart, or standing up holding onto a grab handle (which isn't there yet ) with my left hand. Most of the things that need poking are up the right hand side, with the exception of the VHF where keeping the mic cable from getting in the way was more important.

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

Re 4 or 5, are you L or R handed? The plotter will get the most button pushing, so if Right handed I would go for 5 assuming you don't have to contort.

I'm probably right handed for this type of thing as I use a mouse in my right hand, but it varies. The plotter isn't used much for navigation, but it makes sense to have it on the right. My eye-line is just over half way from the left, so as the main reason I've made this panel is to add the AIS I guess it makes sense to put it there. The ST60 is really just to fill the space, not sure which model to fit yet. I think I'll go with [5]. Perhaps.