Keyboards are nice to type on, but with demanding games these days, they bring demanding controls. Unfortunately, keyboards can’t always handle these demands due to their shape and key locations. Belkin, a company well known to the computer industry, has developed a pad, which combines keyboard and game pad functionality into one small device, the Nostromo SpeedPad n52.
About:
Built to conquer your enemy, the Nostromo SpeedPad n52 captures all the advantages of its critically acclaimed predecessor, the n50, and cranks up the juice with advanced options to dominate your game. It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your game than ever. Using feedback from hundreds of gamers, our engineers designed the n52's intuitive nature and stylish versatility to give you easy access to your arsenal of deadly maneuvers. So start programming up to 104 functions now-and watch how dangerous you become.
Setup:
Before plugging the pad into a USB port, make sure you install the included software. After the software has been installed and the N52 has been connected, we move onto configuring the pad via the Nostromo Array Programming Software. It is very easy to configure the pad once you get used to the setup of the software. If you are stuck during the setup, you can simply consult the user’s guide, which should tell you how to get everything working and ready to game! I spent approximately 15 minutes or so getting everything configured.
Performance:
After the game pad had been configured, I was ready to game. The gaming began with Americas Army Special Forces. I soon learned after I joined a server, that this pad was a hassle for this particular game. The game offers a whole slew of controls not standard in most FPS games such as request a medic, report in your location, and drop in prone position to name just a few. The SpeedPad wasn’t much of a SpeedPad but rather slow, due to the wealth of controls found in the game. I noticed no increase in performance at all but rather a slight decrease.
Next, I decided to play Unreal Tournament 2004. The device operated much more efficiently and smoothly while playing the game. Gameplay was much more enjoyable with this gamepad in UT2k4. I then experimented with several other games and enjoyed as much success as while gaming in UT2k4. Overall, this game pad performs very well in games that don’t require too many unique controls.
Conclusion:
Due to the fact I have been gaming since Windows 3.11, it was hard to re-situate my hands to the keypad rather then the keyboard. Americas Army: Special Forces was the only game in which I had trouble with when using the pad, due to the overwhelming commands required in the game. Don’t expect to ditch your keyboard while gaming since you will still need it to efficiently communicate with your teammates while gaming. If you are a hard core gamer or just a gaming enthusiast looking for a new device to help enhance your gaming abilities, I would recommend you head on over to our friends at PC Toy Land and purchase The Belkin Nostromo SpeedPad n52.
Pros:
∙ Provides up to 104 functions on the single keypad
∙ Nostromo Array Programming Software works well
∙ Performs well in most games
∙ Ergonomic
∙ Lots of functionality
∙ Decent cost (~ $30)
Cons:
∙ Pain to operate in some games with lots of commands
∙ Keys can be a bit hard to press at times
