These things aren't really for everyone. Items like the N52 Nostromo are used and adored by some, while others think of them as unnecessary; and stick with the keyboard.

I myself have grown quite accustomed to my N52 ( http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=157024 ), but there's on thing that really irritates me. The shoddy quality.

These things never last more than 5 months, and the warranty was voided on my first one when I opened it up and stupidly attempted to fix it myself. (It used to work with my own SNES controllers!)

Now, I'm on my second n52, and I've encountered some more wear a tear, 5 months later; almost as if it was on queue. The psuedo mouse wheel thing on it gets stuck frequently, causing me to rabbit hop like a retard in many of the games I play.

Frustrated with the sub standard quality product belkin has put out; I look to get a new pad. I find out the n52te is coming out, so I ask for it for Christmas.

Little did I know - this product has been delayed roughly SIX times at this point; with it recently being re delayed to Febuary 15th. But will this even matter? It has new backlighting and a new pad / look - but will the product be so poorly made, like many other belkin products?

I'm unsure if I want to spend the 70$ US for something that will break in a half a year; so I look for alternatives.


So here I am, throwing myself at the mercy of the video games forum. What, if any peripherals do you use? Can you recommend a viable alternative?

The ideazon fang looks like a good product. Praised for its durability and even winning rewards from reputable magazines.

http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/fanggamepad.asp

Help.  Please? 

I work at Best Buy, and I can tell you first hand that the Fang pad will last you a hell of a lot longer than the Nostromo one will.  Most people tend to pick up the Nostromo one because it just LOOKS niftier, but the fang one is durable, and has stood the test of time under the heavy hands of gamers everywhere.

Personally, I prefer the keyboard though.  I use the ESDF key combination instead of the standard WASD, because it gives you more options when you're customizing your control configuration in a game.  It also puts your hands on the home row keys in typing, which feels more natural for anyone who knows how to type.

Thanks for the input; I've also considered simply going back to the keyboard; but it just seems so foreign to me at this point.

I'll look more into the fang though, definetly.

So... I went and picked up "The Fang" being confident that "It would take a little getting used to, but I'm sure itll be great."

I played with it for 30 minutes, put it back in it's box and will be returning it to the store.


It's not so much that it's different, it's just that most of the keys are simply horrendously out of reach. I suppose for FPSs it's passable, though.

I guess some of us just have big hands.

I have really huge hands, but the problem was that a lot of the buttons the things boasted simply weren't reachable while moving.

With the n52 I can use the Dpad + all of my buttons.

At this point, if I'm going to switch I'd need to go with that saitek thing, but that thing's "D-Pad" looks like a piece of crap.

http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/09/saitek-pro-gamer-command-unit-reviewed/

Look at it, it's a little knob.

You know what I've done for a lot of games?  I hold a PS2 style controller in my left hand (Like the Saitek Rumble Force), and the mouse in my left(I mean right).  Lack of buttons makes playing some games difficult, but for others it's awesome!  The analog stick gives analog control for WASD functions, the shoulder button is good for any quick action (like jumping) and the D-Pad is handy for reloading, etc.

I'd like to see something designed for this specific purpose.  Like a Wii-mote nunchuck style device with extended buttons designed for use with the mouse.

That sounds like this thingy:

That sounds like this thingy:

If that thing had more buttons it would be something really special.

jackyl, if I were you I'd try to n52. Sounds like something well suited to you. It's pretty cheap, too.