-
CNET editors' rating:
3.0
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating -
Average user rating:
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Product summary
The
good: Comfortable keys; great customization options via Razer-powered software.
The
bad: Not as many buttons as some other pads; for right-handed users only; expensive.
The
bottom
line: Superior customization software makes the Belkin Nostromo n52te a worthwhile choice for fans of PC shooters, but the high price may drive gamers to more affordable alternatives.
Specifications: Form factor: External ; Compatibility: PC , Mac ; Interface required: USB ; See full specs
Price range: $69.99 - $92.99
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 04/10/2008
Gaming keypads are funky little accessories. To the layperson, they're just little partial keyboards for the left hand that sit next to a keyboard that offer all the same controls. For hardcore gamers, however, they're valuable tools. These programmable keypads let gamers completely customize their gaming experience, mapping their favorite keys and macros to the 'pads myriad of buttons, putting all of their moves right under their fingertips. Belkin's latest entry into this controller subgenre is the Nostromo n52te, which spruces up the earlier Nostromo n52 Speedpad by adding improved software support and a cool backlight. It retails for $70.
Just like the original n52 Speedpad, the n52te features 16 numbered keys, plus a scroll wheel, and digital directional pad. Four white arrows highlight the pad's central cluster of directional keys, which are surrounded by ten additional hot keys. The keys are shaped like standard keyboard keys, but they feel slightly flatter and more responsive. The keys' short throws can help in twitch games, such as first-person shooters, though their flatness is a matter of taste. The other two, uniquely shaped buttons sit on opposite sides of the direction pad. The lower button is easy to tap with the thumb, but the upper button sits just too far from the thumb to press easily. The direction pad gets a slight upgrade over its previous incarnation; now the pad comes with a removable thumbstick that pushes up the control about half a centimeter. The scroll wheel rests to the lower right of the main keys, offering convenient scrolling-zoom access by forefinger. Meanwhile, the palm of your left hand rests on the sloped handrest, which can be adjusted into one of two positions.
To drive all of the keys, the n52te--which connects to Windows PCs with a USB cable--uses a software interface built by Razer, a gaming accessory maker. The application lets users program the pad in virtually any way, from simple key mapping to more complex macro programming. Compared with the software used by the Saitek Cyborg Command Unit, the n52te's interface is much easier to use while remaining just as powerful. Even better, the Belkin stores the key maps and macros internally, so the profiles don't have to be booted up each time you want to play a particular game.
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Where to buy
Belkin Nostromo n52te:
$69.99 - $92.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$84.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$81.49 | Yes |
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$69.99 | Yes |
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$69.99 | Yes |
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Buy.com
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$92.99 | Yes |
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