Idle Hands…
and
wallets…
Okay, so what happens when Sparky is left unattended at the local CompUSA store?
Yup, new toys! If you happen to be cruising the aisles waiting for something to
catch your eye, this is it!
Belkin Nostromo N50
Street Value: $ 29.99
Resistance is futile.
There is no way you can pass this thing up without
picking it up. Just look at it. Its’ sleek black ergonomic design screams
“you know you want me!”
But, what the hell is it? This is the Nostromo N50 speedpad. It is made
by Belkin. Yes, the same company that sells those overpriced computer cables and
lack-luster mice. It is made to be an ergonomic replacement for a gamer’s
keyboard-weary left hand. It has 10 programmable keys a throttle wheel and an
eight way hat switch at the thumb position.
The Belkin name was the main obstacle I initially had to
surmount. I mean c’mon, thirty bucks?? Belkin is hard pressed to make a USB
cable for thirty bucks. What’s up with this?
I examined it closely, and thought “well, I can always return
it. And it would complete my general rule-of-thumb to not leave CompUSA empty
handed.”
As soon as I got my little paw on it, I liked it. It fits the hand
perfectly and is very intuitive. The most noticeable thing is that the keys are
aligned with each other, not staggered like a standard keyboard. In use, for
some reason it just feels more responsive when strafing. I have no idea why. A
switch is a switch, on or off. But it just seems to move me better in a game.
The hat switch is easy to reach and has eight positions, however I am only
coordinated enough to use four of them. The throttle wheel might come in handy
for something someday, but for a first person shooter it sits idle.
The speedpad is well constructed and if you have really small
hands, like Miss Style, the outer shell of the palm rest comes off to accommodate.
It uses the USB port only, and comes with key mapping software and profile
utilities. These are fairly easy to use. I do have the occasional problem in
Windows ME of the desktop going crazy and opening all kinds of explorer windows
when I load a profile. Other than that, the main drawback would be only having
ten keys plus hat. The speed pad is laid out with two rows of keys, and at first
I really missed not having the third row as I do on a keyboard. I got used to it
quickly, but those of you who have lots of binds and aliases may not like
it.
Somehow, you are supposed to have a shift function, that allows
you access to three more key mappings during play, but I have not figured out
how (nor read the instructions). You can easily bind macros ( multiple keyboard
strokes programmed in real-time succession) to individual speedpad keys.
In short, if you can live with only ten keys plus hat and play
for extended periods of time, you will like this pad. Your wrist will love it,
if nothing else.
PROS
- Great ergonomics, low hand/wrist fatigue.
- Looks Cool.
- Good button placement, very intuitive.
- Allows recorded macros bound to single keys.
- Small desktop footprint.
- Low price, considering the source and quality.
CONS
- Only ten practical keys plus 8 way hat switch.
- Only two rows of keys.
- Slightly buggy software.
- Will NOT function on a PS2 port. USB only.
- Molded to fit only the left hand.
- No ashtray attachment, Does NOT dispense coffee! (Or beer).