Belkin n52te Tournament Edition SpeedPad by Belkin Components
|
List Price: Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
(Click here)
Digital camera reviews of Belkin n52te Tournament Edition SpeedPad
Digital camera Review: I've used N50 and N52, this is a little better
Summary: 5 Stars
I have played mostly FPS games in the past using both the N50 and N52 pads, which IMO are the best possible alternative to the keyboard you can get. I have read the other reviews before buying, and I see some of their points...this device is not for everyone.
I am a little surprised at how many people use this basically the same way they would use the keyboard in a FPS game. I think it is much more intuitive to use one thumb on the D-pad for movement, rather than 3 fingers on the WASD. WASD is the way I used to play and I was very natural with it, so there was quite a learning curve to switching over to using the D-pad on this device, but once I got over that, it just feels much more intuitive. Then you have all 4 other fingers to use for activating all the keys on the pad for other functions.
Software:
I am not a heavy user of macros, and I usually only use a single bank of keys on my games. So for this use, the software works perfectly. It was super easy and intuitive to program the controls. I did not care too much about importing my previous profile as it was easy to create a new one.
TIP : It sounds like a lot of people are creating a profile for each game to map the games layout into the N52. I do the opposite : I create a single profile which maps arbitrary keys to the N52, and use it for all my games. Then I just use the game's control config to map actions to my desired keys on the N52. You have to do a custom mapping in either the game or the N52, so I find it easier to just map in each game. Thus no problems with profile switching or creating multiple.
Aesthetics:
This is the best looking Nostromo pad yet. I like the blue lighting and glossy black finish. Looks very slick and stylish. The blue light I do not find to be too bright at all. I play a lot in the dark and it's not too overpowering. Also, you can just turn it off with a switch on the bottom of the unit.
Build quality:
Feels very solid. Keys feel like they will hold up well. Despite the new bottom and foot design, it stays put very well and does not rock around or anything.
Feel:
The D-pad feels the same as the previous N52 (I am glad). I took off the little joystick attachment and just use the pad. The hole for the joystick is so small I can't even feel it. The joystick thingy is a little too slippery and does not increase accuracy, so I will likely never use it...but maybe with a little rubber pad on it could work pretty well.
The wrist rest is easy to move positions, and the back position fits my large hands well. I would guess small handers would have a bit of a stretch though.
The keys I actually like a little better as well. They are low profile and have a smooth action and low throw to activate. Feel about 1/2 way between a desktop keyboard and a laptop keyboard. Very easy on the hands over a period of time. Placement works well for me.
Shift key and circle key by the thumb : I use these for less used keys, as I don't want to take my thumb off the movement D-pad too much. They seem to click fine and I did not see an issue with hitting the side of the shift key. No missed clicks yet.
Value:
At the MSRP, I would say maybe a little too pricey, but on Amazon for fifty bucks with free shipping, it is a very good buy.
Bottom Line:
If you play a lot of FPSes or 3rd person action, this thing is perfect. If you are still sticking to WASD, I would say give it a little time to try using this as it was intended, with the D Pad for movement. It becomes very intuitive and will free you up to press more ancillary keys. Otherwise, you would be better off saving the money and sticking to the keyboard, as this will not give you much extra.
5 stars for me, coming from a mostly FPS gamer.
Digital camera Review: Ignore the hype, both the peg and the pos
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, this product will not make your game play better. If you thought it would, [you know the rest]. This device is, indeed for upper lvl gamers, as well as any macro programming device a person may need. So after I reviewed a few of the other posts, I'm ready to deliver my verdict:
A) It only has 3 different programs/formats that can be programmed-BAD, because you could do 4 on it's parent.
B) It's backlit for visable keys in case of dark rooms (which is normal for late night MMO gamers)-GOOD.
C) It's a Belkin product, grandaddy of the macro pads-GOOD.
D) Thumb button feels like squishing a wet cracker-BAD.
E) Thumb/direction pad feels a bit squishy too-kind of BAD.
OVERALL: It does what it's intended for. Folks will get used to the soft keys and I'm sure there's people who acutally like it anyway. As for other comments:
A) If you press a key it interupts the current running macro: Really? No crap? Pressing a key on the same device that the macro is running from will interupt it? I guess my question is, how long you been useing macro programable devices and found one that IS uninteruptable, for under $100?
B) It feels uncomfortable: First game pad?
C) New GUI/UI [or any other number of frustrations with it, enter here]: Of course it's new... Ummm, new [or improved] product is my guess. As a little extra info for the non-gamers; the UI was/is based on the Razer keyboard software/UI which, I'll admit is confusing to use, but I also haven't given it a fair amount of time to figure out either. Keep in mind also that this is the 2nd gen n52 in a few years...they're going to make some large leaps in difference and perceived improvment.
It's a good product and reliable replacement for it's predecessor. See if you can find a deal on it though 'cause it is a couple of $$'s too much.
Feel free to read my other reviews about computer software and hardware.
JACK MASTERSON
Digital camera Review: Improved - not perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
The controller software from razor works well, but does not allow using the key mappings for the older N52 controller. You will have to set up all new key mappings. The advantage of the new software is that the maps are loaded into the controller. No software in memory to interpret what to do during game play.Digital camera Review: Intial joy turned to disappointment
Summary: 3 Stars
I had never used a game pad before but was loosing feeling in my arm with a bad keyboard placement. I got the pad promptly and was extremely happy with it at first. The programming of the keys was easy and made much more sense for my usage. The first 6 months were great. After that things began to change. Some of the keys wouldn't depress as easily or stuck. Then the game would change mouse function. I tried switching to my old mouse, still a problem. I finally disconnected the game pad, just to rule it out. No more problems. I had the pad for 7 months when the trouble became too much to stand anymore. That is far less lifetime than i expected. Be willing to replace after very little time.Digital camera Review: Jumped me from 1600 to 2k in WoW on BG9
Summary: 5 Stars
This game pad comes with easy to use software, can run macros if you want, and has a perfect set up for the computer gamer.
My review will look at this gamepad from a World of Warcraft perspective. I am an average-skill arena player sitting at 2k mmr in 3's and fives since I bought this product.
The look and feel of the pad is presentable and even welcome on my desk: a sleek black case with blue back lighting.
It holds three sets of keybinds that can be swapped between quickly.
I use the left most row for shift and control modifiers, with the far left corner being tab, and this results in 11 keys, mw up, mw down, and middle button presses on the top of the pad. I use the thumb for my alt bind, which modifies and serves as my ptt. In skype, I free it up for an important in-game cooldown. The D-pad can be bound *very* creatively, and I have up bound as pet attack (shift up pet recall), down bound as fear (shift is deathcoil, control is howl of terror) and this is one of my faves. It is very natural-feeling. Left is strafe left, right is strafe right, and playing with a MX 1100 mouse, I have a few more binds. The dpad actually has 8 binds, but i have the corner binds disabled.
In my opinion, this product is more suited to WoW than a standard keyboard, far more comfortable, good looking, and responsive. It took me a mere two days to learn on it, and I was able to log onto other characters and immediately know which binds were which. I have 9 80's, and this a relief when I realized that my hand "knew" what to hit on other toons.
Great Product. If you're looking for a keyboard alternative, buy it.