Belkin n52te

[SCMalone1770]

Has anyone used the belkin n52te? does it work well? pros/cons?

[dRiN]

Has anyone used the belkin n52te? does it work well? pros/cons?

http://dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?form=Search&searchID=410478&highlight=belkin

I use it for boxing and it rocksolid. I use the thumbstick for movement took me almost notime to get used to it. I have three buttons for modifiers, alt shift and control. Then I have 2 rows x 4 buttons. That is 8X4 = 32 buttons that I can quickly access. And the 3 buttons not mentioned in the 4x2, and scroll up, down and click + small button above thumb thing and bigger button down thumb thingy.

So that is 32 + 3 +2 = 37 buttons easy to use in my configuration.

I have small hands maybe that is something to consider some people have hands that are too big for what I have read about this product.

[wootipwn]

I was thinking about getting one also but I heard mixed reviews that the older Belkin N52 was better/worse, but if your hands are small, and it works well for you, this might make me consider my options. Then again, I also hear Vyndree uses the older Belkin N52, and she would have small hands also. Damn it, can someone shed some light on the 2 products in comparison or do I have to run into owners of each product to compare/contrast?

[JasonB87]

I'm sitting between this or the g13. g13 looks more comfortable though and more buttons :)

[moosejaw]

I think the G13 will be better for large hand folks. Here is a post that has a photo of the N52 and G13 side by side, you decide.

Logitech G13 Keypad ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=18324')

[Basilikos]

I've got moderately large hands. I use BOTH the old and TE versions. The TE is hooked up to my primary machine. The old one is hooked up to my healing box. They're both fine, IMO. The only thing I've noticed different is that the mousewheel on the newer model is far more reliable than on the old one. This might just be from the years of use that the old one endured, though.

Oh - one other major difference. The older model technically had one more shift state than the new one. It, by default, was not in ANY shift state whereas the newer model is in one of the "color" states all the time. That didn't mess with the configuration I had, but that's purely up to chance.

[JasonB87]

Thanks for the link moosejaw. I think my hands are decently sized lol so the g13 might be better for me.

[genocyde]

I've got pretty big hands; 8 inches from the base of my palm (where you would imagine your hand ends and wrist begins) to the tip of middle finger.

Picture being able to hit left ctrl + backspace on a normal keyboard with pinky and thumb on the same hand, or Q and P with pinky and pointer on same hand.....

I use and N52TE and I like it, pretty comfy for my ape hands. Not sure if the G13 has as many usable buttons, does it have shift states etc

[GeordieLife]

I have an "old" n52 and a TE, my TE is sitting in my cupboard. Mostly better, but I use the button under the DPAD for jump and the one on MY TE is rubbish. Just not as responsive as the old one. Maybe I got the duffer one, but hey!

G13 appears not to be out in the UK yet, or it's like rocking horse shit! Either way, I can't find one to buy!

[jettzypher]

i keep telling you all...saitek pro-gamer command unit. more keys than n52, easier to switch between modes, adjusts to be more comfortable for all sizes of hands. may not have as many keys as the g13 but you only need some many macros. also the lcd, great idea on the keyboard but too much on a game-pad. only downside i have with the saitek is the software is a pain in the ass and their support forum sucks. but luckily i know how to install the software properly so it works like it should.

im telling ya...dont overlook it. take it from me, its a great unit. i used the n52 since it came out and its nothing compared to the saitek.

[moosejaw]

Does the saitek work with direct input? I would like to know because Innerspace can bind directly to any device that shows itself to direct input. It is pretty slick binding directly to a device instead of programming keys to the device and going from there.

I guess you could check in DXdiag to see if it shows there. Aside from running a test script in IS, I don't know of another way to test it.

[moosejaw]

Here is a link to the Saitek pro gamer ('http://www.saitekusa.com/prod/cyborgcommand.htm') unit. They call them cyborgs now.

[jettzypher]

they have two different versions (similar to belkins n52 and n52te).

to answer your question, idk. i just make profiles and map keys where i need em instead. sometimes i dont want to use a gamepad and just roll with the keyboard, so directly changing key binding in-game doesnt work out so well for me.

[aboron]

I have used both the N52 N52te and the Saiktek. The N52 does have a better thumb side button but the N52te has all better buttons otherwise. I don't use that button for a critical function so it doesn't matter that it's a bit frail. My hand is a little big for this pad, but the hand rest does come off and move out to a second set of holes further back. And I find that using the top row as home positions for all but my pinky gives me good access to all but 2 buttons. Plus the n52te lets you use a button to momentarily select a new map - like shift, but a complete keyset change, if you want. So I use one set for tanking, one set for healing, and one set for dpsing.

The Saiktek I think is too fragile for my grip and feels relatively insecure compared to holding the n52s, I can't lay my hand flat on it like the n52. Also, the map swapping on the Saiktek is done with a 3 position slider switch that is in a very bad position for me to try and use in combat, so it essentially limits me to just one keymap, which is tough for instancing. The thumb stick on the saitek is an analog joystick and is far far better for games with aiming reticles. In WoW there is no way in the world that i'm using it as mouse input, so all i can do is map it for movement directionals and it always seems to be a few degrees off from the way i want to be pushing on it to move.

So i'd take an N52 over a Saitek, but have not yet put my hands on the G13. Although I like resting my whole hand flat and just applying pressure, and I don't see how this would work on the G13 either.

Here's my hand on the n52te (if that's not ergonomically neutral, i can't imagine what is):

http://www.ggxtech.net/1233024547208a.jpg

And showing the top row position better (the wrist kink here is because im trying to stand up and take a shot of my own hand):

http://www.ggxtech.net/1233024623171a.jpg

Of course your results may vary, esp. if you don't have a large hand and you can use the center row as a default.

[elsegundo]

just fyi... previously lusted after item has dropped in price now that g13 is out...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826169019&Tpk=n52

currently its at $50.

[Alptraum]

I got mine about 6-8 months ago for about 55.00, rock solid couldn't box without this beauty, you can basically set everything up to run with just one hand..I dont often even need to touch the mouse, the thumbpad works almost perfectly once you get used to using it.

[Mooni]

I got mine about 6-8 months ago for about 55.00, rock solid couldn't box without this beauty, you can basically set everything up to run with just one hand..I dont often even need to touch the mouse, the thumbpad works almost perfectly once you get used to using it.That is why my n52te is collecting dust... I thought the thumbpad would work more like a mouse (position cursor) or a joystick (Same thing). So I tried to set up separate movement keys for my tank to run off the thumbpad, so that way I could just steer her with that and have the others on autofollow or whatever, but I refuse to be a keyboard turner! (except in Wintergrasp when those pesky alliance get ideas)
My n52te is currently sitting under some dirty dishes on top of a table next to my computer desk. Stubborn pride did it in.

[elsegundo]

I got mine about 6-8 months ago for about 55.00, rock solid couldn't box without this beauty, you can basically set everything up to run with just one hand..I dont often even need to touch the mouse, the thumbpad works almost perfectly once you get used to using it.That is why my n52te is collecting dust... I thought the thumbpad would work more like a mouse (position cursor) or a joystick (Same thing). So I tried to set up separate movement keys for my tank to run off the thumbpad, so that way I could just steer her with that and have the others on autofollow or whatever, but I refuse to be a keyboard turner! (except in Wintergrasp when those pesky alliance get ideas)
My n52te is currently sitting under some dirty dishes on top of a table next to my computer desk. Stubborn pride did it in.well maybe i can take that off your hands (without the dishes of course)... hehe. im looking for a replacement, and looking at the g13. but its pricey.