Saitek out, Nostromo in.

[Dawnstone]

So my 5-boxing is almost at level 40, and I've run into a hardware issue. My left hand gets sore using my Saitek Keyboard & game unit



So I'm gonna switch to using a Nostromo n52 (not te, price & reviews haven't convinced me), with shipping its about $32 from ritzcamera.com



The end result should be that I can add keybinding and in-game macros to utilize the n52, so I won't have to use the keyboard (alt/ctrl/shift and F1-12 keys) to control my characters. On the Saitek pad, I currently only use my 3x mages while the priest/paladin use keyboard bindings. If this fails, then its the 'foot keypad' option or XKeys (urg, I'm not ready to dump that much money on a keypad). Anyone have any comments to this setup?

[Eteocles]

Off topic, I love your sig & naming scheme...wish I'd thought of it ;p Might spin off of it later...

On topic, I don't understand how you guys can use those things at all, my Left hand is my movement AND hotkey presser most of the time, how you'd work with that thing detached is beyond me; though I'm going by the screenshot and I guess you'd be able to keep it near yer mousehand instead ;p

[Tehtsuo]

Off topic, I love your sig & naming scheme...wish I'd thought of it ;p Might spin off of it later...

On topic, I don't understand how you guys can use those things at all, my Left hand is my movement AND hotkey presser most of the time, how you'd work with that thing detached is beyond me; though I'm going by the screenshot and I guess you'd be able to keep it near yer mousehand instead ;p

Nostromo is actually a beautiful design. Notice there's a d-pad where your thumb rests. I have that set to WASD, and drive with my thumb. I use the round orange button to target nearest enemy, and the rectangle button under the d-pad for my main AoE ability (Concecrate in this case) Then I have my four fingers to hit the hotkeys with. Movement and hotkeys, one hand. Mouse is for targetting, holding right click to turn, and looting. If I need to chat I move my hands together to the keyboard (I don't chat during combat anyways.)

[Dawnstone]

Thanks tehtsuo, sounds like the setup I desire (keyboard free, minus chatting). Looking forward to trying it out.

[0xdeadbeef]

I've been an N52 user for many years and I strongly suggest staying away from the TE version. Its sad when a company makes a decent product but they don't know why, and they go and make the next generation version and fail miserably.

[Djarid]

Just like the new G15 Logitech and Belkin must use the same R&D

[Nitro]

I've been an N52 user for many years and I strongly suggest staying away from the TE version. Its sad when a company makes a decent product but they don't know why, and they go and make the next generation version and fail miserably.

What do you not like about the TE?

I was thinking on picking up a few cause the standard n52 has very stiff/sticky keypresses and I heard this was alleviated in the TE.

[0xdeadbeef]

Its true the keys do feel a bit better but the D-pad, which is one of the greatest features of the N52 is a lot worse now. Also the programming software is not as complete as the old N52, I had some issues modifying pauses between key presses but I admit I didn't try to figure it out for very long.

[Dawnstone]

Update: Got my n52 and am getting better at using it (tricky at first to break old habit of using keyboard).
The design is much better than my old 'flat' pad, my wrist no longer suffers any soreness while playing long periods of time. However, remembering which keys do what is still a problem - as I found out last Saturday night... was pretty tired and kept hitting the wrong buttons inch:

Based off suggestions in this form and some free time thinking, my n52 setup is as follows:

Top Row (5 keys):
target & dispell member (1 thru 5) with mod = /focus member

Middle Row (5 keys):
far-left key (pinky finger) is my healing button (nomod=renew, shift=mending, alt=flash heal, ctrl=greater heal)
three center keys are my AWSD (nomod=W, mod=S) for movement (I dont like the D-pad atm for moving, but it might grow on me)
far-right key (index finger) is my caster dps button (nomod=frost bolt, any mod=Arcane Explosion (+alt=AE with Priest Holy Nova;+ctrl=AE with Priest group heal))

Bottom Row (4 keys):
far left key (pinky finger) = /follow focus (mod = mount up/dismount)
left-center key = Counterspell (Mod: /castsequence Bloodelf AE Silence x5)
right-center key = Priest Bubble/Mage Ice Shield
far right key (index finger) is my alternate caster dps button (mod= totem/add kill macro with scorch)

The mousewheel is currently unbound, as I find it a bit sluggish and sticky in respone time
the Dpad I converted as a Shift Modifier in all directions (so any DPad direct + key = mod:shift)
Orange button = Tab on Main only for targeting

Hope this info helps anyone curious or configuring their own keybindings/macros.

[Tehtsuo]

Sounds like a good setup. I actually have two configurations for my n52. One setup for PVP, which is all straight keybindings, and only one shift state. I also have another setup for PVE, which uses the two fifth keys on the top right side as shift state toggles for red and green. That way I can utilize more accurate and selective healing and dps, as well as dedicate more keys to tanking, both of which aren't important in PVP. I have them both set up as momentary toggles, so I can basically shift into red or green for single keypresses, while staying in the normal state for everything else.