Programmable X-keys Stick takes you to macro heaven

There's no denying that macros make all of our lives a bit less tedious, and while having a few here and there will suffice for the most of us, the hardcore RTS gamers and graphic designers can certainly appreciate the overkill on this one. PI Engineering's X-keys Stick (full shot after the break) is a programmable, customizable rod sporting no fewer than 16 buttons ready to bow to your commands. Available in PS/2 and USB flavors, the backlit device ships with Macro Works software (or iKey for OS X) and a template for printing out your own key labels. Nah, this won't hold a candle to the tweaking abilities of the Optimus Maximus, but the reasonable $99.95 pricetag also manages to (thankfully) pale in comparison. If you feel like really nerding out, X-keys also has X-keys Professional and X-keys Desktop editions designed to sit next to your keyboard. The X-keys Pro version even comes with a WoW sticker set to push things off the deep end -- as if the macro madness hadn't gone far enough already.

[Via EverythingUSB]

Read - X-keys Stick
Read - X-keys Pro and Desktop

[Twist @ Jun 9th 2007 1:08AM]

I have a friend who uses a thing similar to the Microsoft Strategic Commander (only with many more buttons) along with a graphics tablet for doing art stuff. I think it gives him like 15 buttons plus a few modifier buttons plus a D-Pad (so around 49 different functions give or take) and he got it for like $20. Best part is it works perfectly fine with his Mac.

[PeterF @ Jun 9th 2007 1:28AM]

Or you can get a Logitech G15 with has 18 programmable keys (and 3 modes to switch between).

[John Doe @ Jun 9th 2007 2:30AM]

If rule you mean over the retards that inhabit the internet then yes. You are their king you schmuck.

[Shawn @ Jun 9th 2007 4:43AM]

I cant see myself paying nearly a hundred bucks for this thing.

[L. Cyphre @ Jun 9th 2007 6:26AM]

Or you can just print out some labels, put them on the F-keys, use Autohotkey, and pay nothing.

[Jonathan @ Jun 9th 2007 6:58AM]

I have been using these X-Keys sticks on my medical workstations for years. There isn't anything new here. The X-Keys macro program sux big time. The good news is that you can use them to trigger macros in Macro Express which makes them useful. The system tray app to enable them doesn't always load so I had to make macros that launch the app if it wasn't already running.

[Adam @ Jun 9th 2007 9:31AM]

I remember my parents using something like this in the 80s and 90s... except it was just a little paper printout that sat above the f-keys and told you what they do.

Seriously, at least for what the images are showing as examples of what you can do... there's not really any advantage! Cut, paste, save, print... there are already ctrl+ keys that do all of these that don't require me to move my fingers from the standard typing position. The backlit buttons and configurability would probably work well for gaming ( i can imagine it working well in Half-Life multiplayer, for instance- select weapon / buy options, other player options that aren't used constantly but are used often enough to have a button for ) but I do not see this as any kind of advantage for most work-environment computer users.

Still, quite shiny. Hurrah!

[Mark Nelson @ Jun 9th 2007 9:44AM]

Wow... This feels like a product placement.

[Rob @ Jun 9th 2007 1:55PM]

I'm with Mark on this one... These specific products have been out for quite some time. They aren't really news.

[Rob @ Jun 9th 2007 2:42PM]

First Post!

Oh, darn it...

[rob paek @ Jun 9th 2007 3:24PM]

haha John Doe that was hillarious!

[Banzai @ Jun 9th 2007 4:18PM]

Don't even think of getting this for gaming. If you want a super-awesome, customizable, macro-running all in wonder, get the Nostromo n52. Costs less than half as much, and works on all sorts of games, not just FPSs, I used it for WoW mostly.

[Shane @ Jun 9th 2007 4:55PM]

I'd have to agree with the other posters...This is old news. The last company I worked for sold the X-Keys devices for use with their software. We had written our own custom app to interface with them though. Nothing to see here...Move along...

[Nathaniel N. @ Jun 9th 2007 5:15PM]

I already have my G15.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jun 9th 2007 11:37PM]

Engadget, welcome to the year 2000, where have you guys been all this time? PI Engineering has been X-Keys for many years now. This is nothing new.

[HoldenCfld @ Jun 10th 2007 11:31PM]

Is there one that looks a bit less, you know, cheap and tacky?

[Shibathedog @ Jun 12th 2007 12:24PM]

soooo, a normal/basic keyboard costs about 10-20 bucks on average, and if i remember right it has 104 keys on it, But if i buy this product, i get 16 keys, for 100 dollars, even with the extra features like programming it and the key labeling thing, it doesnt add too much to the value because there are plenty of extra keys on your main keyboard you can program.

Bring the price down to 10-30MAX, and maybe ill consider it.

[Nequam @ Jun 12th 2007 10:04PM]

It has nothing on the Ergodex DX-1. Look it up, you'll see what I mean.

[Mousie @ Jun 15th 2007 8:59PM]

Hello? Belkin Nostromo N52 anyone?

15 keys, a scroll wheel, an 8-way d-pad... and a 'button'.

Plus, the macro software is quite excellent, and allows any control on the device to switch to one of three addtional 'shift-states' (as a toggle or only when pressed), almost quadrupling the number of macros you can cram into it, indicated by colorful LED feedback.

The best part is you can easily get it for $25 online.

[Mousie @ Jun 15th 2007 9:05PM]

Oh, and I was a beta tester for the Ergodex DX-1. For a company with 'ergo' in the name, the Ergodex is an ergonomic nightmare. The Nostromo N52 fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. You only have to wiggle your fingers to access the entire set of controls.

The Ergodex uses a flat plane to hold it's (admittedly very cool) mobile keys, making extended layouts very difficult to use without moving/registering/cramping your hand. By comparison, using the Nostromo feels like a natural extension of your fingertips.