Belkin n52te Tournament Edition SpeedPad
by Belkin Components
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin n52te Tournament Edition SpeedPad
Customer Review: Expensive, but very nice
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this from a local retailer on 3/24/2008. My son choose the Saitek PZ31A Pro Gamer which I purchased at the same time.
First, others have complained about buggy software. I have not had any problems with either software or hardware.
For each game you use this unit with, you'll want a profile. In each profile, you can map each key (minus one to actually switch maps) to three different functions, one for each mapping (which goes by color).
This isn't as useful as it sounds, but it's still nice.
The software iteself is extremely easy to use. There is a picture of the controller on screen, you choose a button, then choose what you want that button to do. Each button can be mapped to up to tree different keys, functions, or macros. Switching is easy, however, I've found that switching between keymaps isn't that useful during a game. While not in battle, switching has some usefulness, but when you are trying to kill that last demon, you don't want to switch maps just to get to another weapon.
There are fewer buttons than I would have liked, but realistically, the fourteen buttons available for the fingers of the left hand are about all that can be reached comfortably. There is also a scroll button which can be used for up to three different keys. (One key for scroll up, one key for scroll down, and one key for press.)
The scroll button can cycle between keymaps, something I believe only it can do. My one disappointment was that the scroll button can't cycle between other keys. For example, if I have weapon sets mapped to F1, F2, and F3, it would be nice to be able to use the scroll wheel to quickly scroll through my weapons.
The thumb controls three keys -- a lower key, an upper button, and a D-pad. Each can be mapped to anything you choose, including all eight directions available on the D-pad. The thumb can only do one thing at once, however. Don't expect to use the D-pad and another button at the same time. This is important if you choose a thumb key to momentarily shift to another mapping. Since my D-pad is set for movement, and the upper thumb button to shift, I can't do both at the same time.
A manual is included on the CDROM, but simple exploration with the mapping application will give as much information except for two things. The D-pad has a removable joystick, and the hand rest is adjustable/removable. In either case, you simply pull the component off the base. The hand rest can be moved back about an inch, or the whole thing used without it.
Now, I wanted to make a couple of comparisons to the Saitek I bought for my son. First, the software for the Saitek is difficult to understand, and the colors the software talks about aren't the colors on the keypad. It also has several more keys available, which sounds good, but I'm not sure it would actually work well in practice. The one thing I really like about the Saitek is that it has a shift key that can be pressed by the base of the thumb, allowing use of the joystick and shift key at the same time.
Finally, my son has had issues where in the middle of a game, it seems to lose its programming and the profile has to be reloaded.
As for the n52te, I love it. I bought it specifically for Hellgate: London, and once I got the keys mapped for it, it worked wonderfully. I have also experimented with a profile for Starcraft, and while I don't believe it works as well for that game, it still speeds up my commands.
Customer Review: Good. Not great.
Summary: 4 Stars
Ok. My biggest gripe about this keyboard is that it lacks the number keys that are usually about qwerty. Those keys are vital to playing first person shooters seriously because they allow your to pin point exactly what weapon you want to use. The mouse wheel should not be a substitute to select your weapons. I do have a Razer Naga, so this feature isn't that much of a problem. I could see it being a huge problem for anyone who doesn't have a mouse with seventeen buttons. Afterall, this mouse is designed for "extreme" gaming. It should be optimized for whatever you use it for.
My second gripe is the space bar. I have to shift my hand awkwardly to press it and with my asian hands, its very hard to get my thumb over the spacebar to press it. The only way I can fix this is by removing the palm rest. The N52te feel much better without the palm rest for me; I have relatively small hands so this could be the issue. I have completely solved this spacebar problem by moving the space bar up to the button thats located above the d-pad. Now I use that for spacebar and the old spacebar is now "t" which I use to activate my microphone. I'm really glad with the change and I can now use the palm rest without straining my hand awkwardly.
Third and final is the D-Pad. Although I don't really use the D-Pad, I have to say that it's pretty uncomfortable to use. I can move the joystick anywhere I like except to the left. I have to push awkwardly up toward my pointer finger, creating a lot of strain in my fingers and in my hand. This could easily be fixed by putting less tension in the D-Pad or moving it closer to your thumb.
Some other things that I wish they would have put in are: A full sized shift key. An escape button. Two more keys past "05" and "10" (which are represented as "t" and "g" on a conventional keyboard). A row of numbers above qwerty to at least 5. A specific button to toggle between profiles. Less clunky d-pad. The numbers on the keys do not light up very much (very dim). Space bar is located too far down and can be strenuous to hit with your thumb.
Final thoughts:
The only reason why these three gripes do not effect the n52te's rating that much is that I have found ways around the flaws that bother me the most. Other than those, I must say that the software that comes with the product is exceptional and it is very very useful for travelling gamers. If you can find a way to get accustomed to the layout, it will be a very useful accessory when travelling. Instead of hauling a huge desktop with you, you can just take a laptop, n52te, and mouse and you'll be set to start gaming. I really like that the n52te can store your data directly onto it so that you can plug it into any computer and immediately start using it. The build quality is pretty nice. Some may claim that the lack of support near the back of the unit is a problem but I have not had any issues with it. Ergonomics of it can be easily fixed by taking off the palm rest. Honestly, I would not pay over $50 for this product. I found this product on woot for $35 shipped and decided to test it out. For the price, I would say that it's worth it. But at $80 I would steer clear of this product. I would recommend going for the G13, but I have not personally tried it. All that I can say is that it looks like it would fix all the problems that I have with the n52te and it would provide more features. Specifically the LCD panel which shows game stats.
Customer Review: Quite pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
I held off on getting one for a long time, despite positive reviews from friends, but decided to take the plunge for a recent game.
I like it a lot. Expect to spend 1 day getting used to it another few days really getting a feel for it.
It really boils down to one simple benefit:
The thumbpad.
With this one simple thing, you put movement in control of your thumb (which previously was probably relegated to "jump" duty on the spacebar while movement required two fingers if you wanted to "strafe run") and now you have your fingers free for activating a bank of 14 hotkeys plus three more if you count wheel-up, wheel-down and wheel-push, which you can do with your index finger without leaving the thumb pad.
The other two buttons I don't find to be generally useful: the one above the thumbpad and the one below it, as I rarely want to take my thumb off of the movement pad to activate them (although if the game has any ability that can't be done while moving anyway, these are good buttons for them). I do think that a couple of left-side pinky buttons would be doable -- it really could use a few more buttons for those button-heavy RPGs -- but for FPSs you've got plenty.
The software is very nice and more configurable than I thought. You can map any button on the device to act as any button on your keyboard, including the wheel-up, wheel-down and wheel-press (by default, the n52te wheel maps to a mouse wheel but I always re-assign it because hey, I already have a mouse wheel).
You can also do macros. The easiest way is to simply "start recording" and then press the buttons in the order and speed you desire, then "stop recording". For example, perhaps I want to switch weapons, wait 1 second (while the game does the animation for switching weapons) and then execute a maneuver and then switch back; this is very easily accomplished.
I also personally found it helpful to map a button on my mouse to be "shift" so that I can get twice as many keys on my n52te. So I can map the top middle button to be "3" and then map that to something in the game, then map "shift-3" to be something else in-game and basically double the number of available buttons.
The only real downside to the n52te is the button layout and how some games (mainly RPGs) do not visually support a 3x5 layout.
That is, if the game only has one hotbar of 10 buttons, I have to remember that the "6th button" on my screen is actually the "first button of the second row" on my n52te.
Luckily, games like Warcraft and Warhammer are configurable enough that I can visually put three rows of buttons on screen and then map them to match the physical layout of my n52te. For FPS games I typically just draw on a sheet of paper what I'm mapping to where until I get the hang of it.
I also wish they had a left handed version (which is to say, a version for the right hand so that lefties can use the mouse in their left hand). I had switched to a left handed mouse a few years ago and actually had to switch back to a right handed mouse in order to use the n52te.
All in all, I'm well pleased with it, but it definitely has a learning curve. Hardware-wise and compatibility-wise, I've had zero problems with it, even on 64-bit Vista.
Customer Review: A bit pricey, but worth it for long hours of gaming
Summary: 4 Stars
My boyfriend and I recently purchased two of these to use with Warhammer Online. I got sick of my hands hurting from the constant contortions required to use a regular keyboard and figured that a $60 investment was better than a repetitive stress injury. I have never used anything like this before so I can't compare it to similar products on the market.
Pros:
-Great appearance! The blue LED is very pretty. The plastic for ours is not sparkly, just a really shiny black. I also like the striking resemblance to a robotic hand.
-the configuration software is fairly intuitive. I haven't attempted to create any fancy macros but you can figure out basic keymapping in a few minutes
-Overall the ergonomics are great - all the keys are within easy reach and the controller holds your hand/wrist a way that really reduces fatigue after a long gaming session.
-The keys are nicely responsive - they depress easily and pop back up almost immediately. Unlike another reviewer, my thumb button has both audible and tactile feedback to let you know it has been depressed fully.
-Plenty of keys without having so many that they become confusing. I use two modifier keys and have mapped movement keys, all of my skills, shortcuts for the map, character sheet, inventory, etc and have plenty to spare.
-I no longer need to have the keyboard taking up valuable space on my tiny desk.
-6 rubber pads on the bottom really help keep the controller in place even during intense PvP fights
-Adjustable wrist support - I have fairly large hands for a woman so it was fine for me right out of the box. I would suggest that people with smaller hands remove the wrist support
-The d-pad has a removable joystick. You *could* use it for movement but I wouldn't suggest it. I've taken out the joystick and have the d-pad mapped to shortcuts I use frequently
Cons:
-As mentioned in other reviews, the LED is *very* bright - It would be nice if the keys were brighter than the background
-Another complaint is the spacebar placement - Unless you have enormous hands it will probably be hard to hit with any accuracy. I don't generally need to use it that much so I left it alone. If you really need it for what you are doing just map the spacebar to a more convenient key
-the scroll wheel can be difficult to use - I have it set to scroll through nearby enemies (no modifier) and friendies (modifier key). If I'm running chasing someone down
-I have to retrain myself to a new key mapping scheme- while this is certainly not the fault of the product, it is good to remember that it will take a while to break old gaming habits. It will probably be frustrating at first, but once you get a system down it is MUCH easier than a keyboard. For something like an MMO I would also suggest going through the effort of customizing the UI. I have reset the action bars so they are configured to the key placement on the game pad. This really helped me transition my upper level characters with many skills etc.
Honestly the pros for me much outweigh the cons. My hands/wrists hurt a lot less and now that I've had some time to adjust to a new controller I think it is a VAST improvement to a regular keyboard. If you play games a lot it will pay for itself very quickly.
Customer Review: Pwnsauce?
Summary: 3 Stars
I look at everything in terms of what it takes to be the best and get to the point quickly.
WHY USE AN N52TE? The primary purpose is so that you can free up your WASD fingers that control movement by using the thumb controlled DPAD instead. This results in having the ability to press more buttons/abilities while moving around. Instead of your pinky finger and thumb being the only ones free while moving, all 4 of your fingers are free and have 14 buttons nearby. There's more to be said about this...
PERKS? Some quick perks about the N52TE are the keystroke pressure feels very good, the comfort is above average, and changing button maps with their software is cake.
A DPAD? Anyway, the most important part of this gamepad is losing the WASD keys for the DPAD, which is the same purpose of all gamepads with DPADs. So the DPAD of any gamepad is going to be the most important aspect. The primary problem with DPADs is this: Try strafing left and right as fast as possible using the WASD keys, it's pretty much instantaneous and 100% controlled, and then doing the same with any DPAD requires your thumb to rock back and forth... time delay with a little bit of unknown.. In FPS games your left and right strafing execution can be extremely important as well as all movement controls. You have to know exactly when you are changing strafe directions to reverse your mouse movement and maintain head shots while strafing. That is a place unacceptable to get sloppy for the sake of pressing more keys while moving.
I've been working on getting good with the N52TE and am having a hard time getting past the slight loss of control. I dont consider this one of the best DPADs and I've tried the joystick extension on and off(a little more accurate w/ the stick popped off). If the DPAD was more impressive and tuneable in different ways this product would be great instead of good.
WHO NEEDS ABSOLUTE ACCURACY? In games such as WoW (T6 warlock here..when it was more of a challenge) where accuracy isn't as important as having a lot of abilities at your fingertips while moving around as in pvp, this can be a godsend for you. I do find there to be a lack of buttons, compared to a WolfKing Warrior that can only be described as button heaven. Most classes and games can get by with 14 quickly accessed primary abilities/functions. The shift/alt/mode changes are all options for secondary type buttons if you wish. I find memorizing buttons overtop buttons tends to be more difficult than memorizing dedicated buttons.
The mouse roller piece rolls well while clicking into place solidly, and is an interesting and functional piece to map it's purpose. The buttons next to the DPAD I would recommend using as out of combat type buttons otherwise it defeats the purpose of the DPAD of moving while using abilities. You definitely cant jump while moving if you think that big bar is a jump button.
If you want to go with WASD instead of a DPAD I recommend the Wolfking Warrior Keypad, otherwise this N52TE is very functional and versatile DPAD gamepad type.