Rating: 
Summary: The best just got better
Review: I have been using N50 for six months now, very please with the outcome of my purchase ($20 good buy), but when I heard that Belkin was releasing a new version (n52), I just had to have it. So I bought it having great expectations, and my first impresion wasnt that good, I didnt feel it that confortable, but that was because I was thinking of it as the N50, but after two weeks of using it, I love this thing, it does everything that the N50 does but with a lot more options, I use it mostly for 1st person shooters, and it works great, but I aslo think that this is intened for people that use the arrows, and for people that can manage with 20 keys, for me is more than enough, my fragging % is a lot better, but at first it was a lot worse, but is like all in life, it takes time getting use to it, but once you get a hang of it, you will love it. I defently recomend it.
Rating: 
Summary: I was wrong - Plenty responsive for Shooters
Review: I have to retract my comment about the buttons not being sensitive enough for shooters. I tested the Belkin n52 much more extensively in several shooters and it seemed very responsive. My "lack of responsiveness" comments were based almost 100% on DAOC - which apparently has a flat out unresponsive client that drops / ignores / loses some keystrokes.
Rating:
Summary: Great, but some concerns
Review: I just bought one of these. It's a great thing, especially since there doesn't seem that there's much else on the market to compete with it.
Pluses are that it's stable and easy to program. It also is great for strategy games.Minuses are if you have a small hand, you'll find it difficult to operate all of the buttons, especially when doing combinations.
Another thing I haven't been able to accomplish, is when I program one of the multi-button functions, the game pad automaticaly attempts to perform the action programmed for that button in normal mode, AFTER I press my button combinations in multi-mode. If anyone has figured out how to fix that, let me know.
Rating:
Summary: THIS THING I§ GREAT!!!
Review: I like this thing 3 days ago. The first day i found the Bottom row of keys kinda offset. Today im all fine with it in exception with one thing. Playing Halo, Call of Duty, and MOH Breakthrough i found the thumbar very alkward to get to. Its like trying to play say, Call of Duty and you have to reach to the far end of the spacebar to jump/stand up. So i had to adapt to this, i had to turn the thumbbar into the orange button above the d-pad, but that is still not as easy to operate as the spacebar. In my conclusion after the first 3 days you cant have as much finese without practice (ill eventually have it in another week) [My cod username is Msiv48]
Rating:
Summary: even better than the n50
Review: i live by this thing. i've had an n50 for about 1.5 years at this point, and decided to upgrade after the d-pad got a bit too loose and unresponsive for my tastes. the n52 is a great upgrade. the front area, where you put the pad of your hand, is smoother and larger, which really makes it easier to lay into. the bottom is larger and heavier, which keeps it from moving about (a bit of a problem with the n50). it comes pre-programmed with the usual awsd config on the keyboard portion and the dpad ready to use, which is how i prefer to use this controller (the dpad is a handy area for things like 'reload' and 'crouch', but is next to useless for movement). the additional buttons are also well placed and easy to use. if you're looking at either one, you owe it to yourself to get the n52. it'll take your shooter performance to the next level.
Rating:
Summary: Good for ALL gaming
Review: I read the review above and I have to agree with them, this thing is awesome for gaming in general. I play primarily FPS, but also RTS. I have yet to find a game it isn't worth using in. They keys are a lot better lined up for your fingers than the keys on the keyboard, and with the "shift" capabilites you can have each button do multiple things. I have been a user of the speedpad since the original n50. I love that I can create macro's that will do things I can't do in the game, like the dodge move in original UT.
I also found that since my hands are always in the same place, I can create a template to use and apply that to each new game without having to remember what the keyboard key is for that action. (ex. button 5 is always forward, regardless of the game.)
Just be sure to follow the install instructions as it can get tricky and not work if you don't.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous for just about anything - works GREAT on a Mac!
Review: I spend a lot of time on my computer, for games as well as more serious pursuits. The n52 has been a surprisingly valuable and wonderful peripheral. Though the n52 does not include Mac drivers or software in the box, these were easily downloaded from the Belkin web site, and they work great. Within a matter of minutes, I had the Nostromo set up for shortcuts in my major apps - Safari, Photoshop, etc. I use it a lot when web browsing, using the "cursor" keys to navigate through pages and browsing history, the directional pad for horizontal/vertical scrolling in a page, and a couple of other keys for cycling through tabs. For gaming, the n52 has also proven to be handy. It didn't take long for me to get it set up the way I like for Unreal Tournament 2004. I have cursor keys set to movement, various other keys set for my favorite weapons, and the directional pad set to jump or toggle the secondary fire mode. After a few hours of playing, I got to the point where I was actually playing BETTER using the Nostromo - probably because everything is all in one place, and it just "feels" like I have a more direct connection to the game. Anyway, the long and the short of it is this: the Nostromo n52 is incredibly useful whether you play games or not. I use it for gaming and for getting Real Work(tm) done, and it's proven its worth in both areas. I've generally had bad experiences with Belkin hardware, especially on the Mac - but the Nostromo is a definite exception. The drivers and configuration software are first rate, and I'm extremely happy with the whole package. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic device!
Review: I've never used a previous belkin game product before, although I'm a longtime fan and user of their KVM switches such as the Omnicube. I decided to give the Nostromo N52 a shot, considering Amazon had it on sale for considerably less than my local retailers. My main reason for buying the N52 was to consolidate keys for my FPS gaming into a single comfortable interface. I'm notoriously BAD at most deathmatch games, and I was prepared to do just about anything to improve my game.
My impression of the N52:
~~The 14 main keys are arranged perfectly. the center button is marked for ease of location without looking, and I have no trouble reaching the others quicky and easily (unlike on the keyboard)
--My keys weren't too stiff as other reviewers have claimed. The main buttons are a little stiffer than my membrane keyboard, which I hope to be a sign of higher quality. The orange thumb button does require a little effort to push, but not to the extent of my entire pad shifting to the side.
~~The D-Pad is placed well and isn't stiff either. I do find it more cumbersome for movement, however, and stick to the main keys for that. The pad is perfect to remap keys to, such as jump and alt fire as another reviewer already mentioned for UT2004.
~~The bottom thumb button 15 is not placed well. This is the single button I am not happy with, as it is in an odd possition for my hand to move without feeling a little tension in my thumb. Considering I can map the D-pad for what I would have used this button for (jumping), I'm not upset over it.
~~The adjustable handrest is a godsend. :) I am an adult with large hands, and found the original position of the handrest to be uncomfortable. The scrollwheel was completely out of my range of motion without moving my hand off the home keys. My fingers in their rest position were a full rank of keys too high. The bottom mounted button 15 was completely impossible to reach. However once I realized the black handrest "pops up" and there was a second set of holes a half inch back, I was in heaven. The new position is perfect for me.
~~The mousewheel is stiff and in an awkward postion, even after moving my handrest back. I can access it, but with a looser, more responsive, easier to reach wheel on my logitech mx510 mouse, I'll not use the N52's wheel.
~~The software provided is easy to use and configure. It's powerful and does exactly what we need in mapping the keys to suit my needs.
I've tried out this pad extensively in UT2004 and my goal was achieved: my game improved tremendously. I lost a lot of matches fumbling for keys previously. :P
I also found the pad to be fantastic for navigating virtual environments. I've used it the past two days in The Sims 2 while creating in-game machinima movies. The pad makes navigating in cameraman mode much easier and intuitive.
This is a great device. For hardcore gamers or casual gamers alike, I recomend this highly. I also think Sims 2 movie makers should give this a look. :)
Rating:
Summary: So you can adjust the wrist rest.
Review: Ok, so I was sitting here with mine wondering um how can i take this thingy off... Looking at the picture on this site put your fingers in the hole in the middle. Put your other hand at the SOUTH
or bottom end. lift at the same time. So much better for me in the second position. Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: Best PC Gaming Device In History
Review: The Belkin Nostromo n52 is by far the most innovative and amazing gaming device I have ever used. I previously owned the n50 (see my review here on Amazon), and bought this updated model to see if it is as amazing as people say. I have subjected this device to numerous tests, used it in a number of programs and games, and found it to be truly the most amazing gaming device ever. This n52 device far surpasses the old n50, adding 4 new finger keys (for a total of 14), two new thumb keys, and a greatly improved 8-direction-D-pad and scroll wheel (which can be clicked). Also, the software is truly amazing, allowing you to fully customize the n52 controls any way you want, and set up to THREE (red, blue, green) other on-the-fly profiles in ADDITION to the "main" one you chose (so a total of 4 total control profiles, all intstantly switchable at any moment by touching the key that you define as the "switch" key). It all sounds complex, but don't be scared, it's a sinch. Plus, the n52 comes out of the box with the basic WASD setup, and typical FPS controls already programmed. So if you are just itching to get in some Battlefield or CS, just plug it in, and start playing, because the defualt n52 controls are identical to your keyboard. But the constimization of this beautiful controller is half the fun. I even set mine up to be able to TYPE! That's right, it has a total of 104 possible programmable keys using the switch buttons you define (which you can set to "temporary or toggle"). After about an hour, just out of curiosity, I was able to type a word document. But playing games, particularly FPS games, is where this device shines far above any other technology on the market. You become seamless with the game, you forget you are even using a controller, your mind doesn't have to think about reaching for the Drop-gun key, or the Flashlight key...your hand just reacts perfectly in the cradle of the n52. My only complaints are that, as other people have stated, the two new thumb keys are stiff, and a little distant. But I was creative and just made one my "flashlight" key and one my "drop-weapon" key...because I use the the D-pad directions to jump and perform other critical, common actions. But the point it, MESS WITH IT, it's meant to be customizable...if you don't like something on it then you become the controller programmer and make it the way that you need it. I recommend for better control to just massage out the stiffness of some of the keys, and make it truly fluid. It only takes about 5 minutes, and I got mine so fluid it doesn't even make a sound when hitting a key.
All-and-all, I have really one thing to say...BUY THE N52! This device should come standard with computers or computer games, you'll see what I mean when you use it yourself. You will NEVER use a keyboard again after you buy this. IT goes far above and beyond anything on the market, and will give you the extra edge you are looking for to compete in the online battlegrounds of CS, Battlefield, or any other game.
I would also recommend the Logitech MX500 or MX510 series of corded mice with this gamepad. And if you have an extra penny, check out the Adesso Viper Mouse, or the BFG Boomslang 2100 Mouse here on Amazon.
Overall, the n52 Speedpad is easily the greatest gaming device ever invented, even compared to its earlier brother the n50, this gamepad blows away all other competition. Buy it, love it, and never look back. Sincerely -Logan
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