Belkin intros n52te SpeedPad gaming keyboard

Belkin certainly took its time producing a successor to its Nostromo n52 gaming keyboard, but it looks like the company has now finally gotten its ergonomic act together, with it today showing off its new and slightly improved n52te SpeedPad for all to see. Designed to be equally adept at FPS, MMORPG, and RTS games, the SpeedPad boasts 15 fully programmable keys that are "built for speed," along with a programmable 8-way thumb pad and a removable joystick. Also new this time around is some nifty blue backlighting on the keypad and scroll wheel, as well as some software courtesy of the gaming-minded folks at Razer. Look for it to set you back $70 when it launches in November, although 50 gamers will get a chance to take home one for free as part of Belkin's "Proud to PWN" contest, which requires gamers to submit a video of themselves that "showcases their dominance in multiplayer, online PC games."

[Jon Niola @ Oct 4th 2007 2:48PM]

Looks like mostly cosmetic improvements. Hopefully they refined the directional pad some because the n52's tends to become "squeaky" after some time.

The Nostromo n52 has been hands-down one of my best PC gaming investments in years. When I first got it, I hated it but forced myself to learn it. Once you get used to it you find it hard to play any games without it. If I play a game like World of Warcraft on someone else's computer without the Nostromo, I feel like a gimp and can hardly play.

[Ant @ Oct 5th 2007 8:20AM]

I’m the same, without the N52 im totally lost on nearly all my applications. I’ve only had my current N52 since February but this looks like it might be sweet.

My N52 is without doubt the best £32 (and also the 3Dconnexion Space navigator for £42) I have ever spent. The amount of control you have over the key binding with single key press and macro mutli-key binding is astounding.

I do 3D rendering as a business and the N52 gets things moving real fast with normally complicated multi-key shortcuts binded to single key’s or just a thumb pad direction.

A wireless version without lag would be great, but I’m good with wired for now.

[HineyWipe @ Oct 4th 2007 2:52PM]

Wow, with this, a good mouse and maybe even X-arcade stick...who needs consoles.

[MasterCKO @ Oct 4th 2007 3:03PM]

maybe I'll look into buying one of these. Yet another peripheral for my way too crowded desk 8^)

[computer.dude.28 @ Oct 6th 2007 1:04AM]

and way too crowded USB ports!! :|

[Mack Swift @ Oct 4th 2007 3:05PM]

Slick!!

I love the original n52. It took a little bit to initially get used to, but now I can't play games without it. This looks slick, especially with the Razer software attached to it.

[Josef F @ Oct 4th 2007 3:50PM]

Razer software for the Nostromo pad? Tell me more...

[Chris @ Oct 4th 2007 3:07PM]

Makes the perfect gift for your girlfriend's birthday!!

[Jeff @ Oct 4th 2007 3:07PM]

I don't normally buy into this type of stuff, but this looks really nice. I'll probably wait for the first few reviews to roll out before picking one up though.

[Mr. B @ Oct 4th 2007 3:08PM]

Aside from the other obvious improvements, it looks like they moved that bottom thumb button inward. It's location on the n52 made it practically useless... $70 is pricy, but it's tempting, it would compliment my Saitek Eclipse quite nicely.

[J. Evans Turner @ Oct 4th 2007 3:18PM]

It HAD BETTER plug-and-play as a USB HID Keyboard/Mouse as the n52 did. I #$%^ing HATE bloatware! The n52 is one of the most awesome and straightforward pieces of PC hardware I have ever bought. My only problems are that the button equivalent to the keyboard's spacebar is FAR too mushy and unresponsive, the scroll wheel occasionally misses increments, and I could use an extra key or two on the bottom row (so that Bioshock doesn't have to have the 'Hack' function remapped from 'V' to something else. Come to think of it, I really don't need a scroll function at all on my left hand. It would be nice if they got rid of it and put the extra key there.

[Drakin @ Oct 4th 2007 3:19PM]

Looks interesting. Never really been into any kind of devices like this...But after some reviews I could see making a change.

[rewozz @ Oct 4th 2007 3:22PM]

This will so make you a virgin forever.

[jay.viz @ Oct 4th 2007 5:51PM]

Doesn't that go for pretty much everything on Engadget?

[Michael La Framboise @ Oct 4th 2007 9:18PM]

please jay, everyone knows iPods get you laid.

[wolfpaw @ Oct 5th 2007 1:01AM]

Rewozz, you'd better wait until you get some before buying one then, don't you think?

[LEXX911 @ Oct 4th 2007 3:32PM]

I own the Belkin n52 and it works great for the first couple of days. I was told that the stiff keys takes awhile to break in but after a week it became very stiff and sticky.

What a joke. I mean they can't afford to use some better springs for their keys?

Like what the other poster have said "Looks like mostly cosmetic improvements".

[carpecervisi @ Oct 4th 2007 3:36PM]

These game pads are pretty cool, but are there any wireless versions out there? I'd also love to pick up a backlit wireless keyboard since I game in my dark home theater. You gotta love a 12 foot wide screen. :)

[Alexander @ Oct 4th 2007 3:49PM]

Where is my Linux support!

[Alexander @ Oct 4th 2007 3:54PM]

And yes, I know about the beta drivers. Those suck. Also, this "Tournament Edition" is just lights and nothing extra then the n52.

[skittens @ Oct 5th 2007 2:04AM]

Well...the lights...and the new keys, new springs and all new internals, onboard memory, and all new software/drivers...

So, you are kind of right.

[nobody important @ Oct 4th 2007 3:51PM]

I liked the Nostromo, but the keys were too wiggly and squishy for my taste. Awesome idea, poor execution IMO. Hopefully this one is better.

[teej @ Oct 4th 2007 3:51PM]

but, will it play Doom? ....::kills self::

[Mauricio @ Oct 4th 2007 3:54PM]

Holy shit. this looks mighty nice.
$70 you say...? good chance i'll pick this up.

[Foebea @ Oct 4th 2007 3:54PM]

Ignore the haters, they havent played with it long enough or they received bum units and didnt return them. It should and for most does behave as a regular keyboard. if your keyboard stuck you wouldnt abandon the use of all keyboards, would ya?


I want this now! is it november yet? I'm still using the n52, there is nothing better than it until now. The reshaped and slanted keys and adjusted thumb button are definately worthy, and the new scroll wheel and backlight are to die for.

THIS IS A MUST HAVE.

[Mark @ Oct 4th 2007 3:59PM]

Wonder if the new software will work with the current N52s. I love mine, especially at the $16 I paid (bought extras in case they wear out and go out of production), but the software needs a little more umph.

[Steve Grenier @ Oct 4th 2007 4:21PM]

How many people are left handed, I think its a pretty dumb design if they don't have a right handed version.

[robert @ Oct 4th 2007 11:19PM]

When you play FPS'es, you use your left hand to press the WASD keys.

[Jbram @ Oct 5th 2007 9:45AM]

DUH!

[kynetx @ Oct 4th 2007 4:24PM]

That is freakin great. I had to leave my trust n52 behind when I went to Vista since they won't make Vista drivers for it.
Can't wait.

[Mike @ Oct 4th 2007 4:28PM]

The n52 is a great device. I second/third the "I play like a gimp" comments; it's hard to go back after using it. It works out of the box, but the Belkin utility for mapping keys for different programs is simple and effective.

My only issue with the unit is the space bar key which has become stickier with age. Also, if you have large hands like I do (ladies...please calm yourselves), the lower row of keys is practically useless. Even with those complaints it's still a great device.

Here's hopeing the changes are more than cosmetic and make it the best gaming peripheral ever!! :P

[wolfpaw @ Oct 5th 2007 1:04AM]

> Also, if you have large hands like I do (ladies...please calm yourselves), the lower row of keys is practically useless

That's why the palmrest is adjustable. Pull the cover off (straight up, it's a bit tough to pry loose) and you'll find two sets of pegs to attach it to. By default it's arranged in the "my hands are too tiny" -position. ;)

[The ZeroCorpse @ Oct 4th 2007 4:28PM]

I had an N52, and I hated it. `Seemed stupid. My keyboard has all the same keys, plus quite a few more, and they're all right in front of me.

But then, I'm not one of those circle-strafing assholes on Counterstrike, either.

I'll stick with Keyboard+mouse, or XBox 360 controller.

[Bman @ Oct 4th 2007 10:33PM]

Circle Strafing assholes? That is how you play the game, unless you like getting shot in the face. Looking at your name, The ZeroCorpse, I am going to assume that is talking about how many kills you make. And the xbox360 controller says it all. Sure Halo is a fun game, but it requires no tactics, and no skill.

Oh no, someone is better than my at counter strike! Lets say their tactics suck! Yea, that's a good excuse.

Please, don't make me call the Waa-bulance

[Mike @ Oct 4th 2007 4:30PM]

This is a joke, right?

[john @ Oct 4th 2007 6:58PM]

Looks nice but.. how can you type in Ur Momma jokes while using it?

[john @ Oct 4th 2007 7:02PM]

Nice, but how can you type Ur-Momma comments while using it?

[Dan @ Oct 4th 2007 9:07PM]

As a non-gamer, it makes me wonder what's to come for surfers, secretaries, etc. I'd like to see a non-gamer version. Maybe a two-handed version; type with your arms crossed, or with hands in lap, or pockets. Somebody already makes this, yes?

[BoxOfSnoo @ Oct 4th 2007 10:37PM]

You don't need to play games with it. I have keymap/loadouts for audio editing, and IDE development. It's just a programmable keyboard.

[ArtyG @ Oct 4th 2007 9:36PM]

Sorry, but...The N52 was the biggest waste of money. Seriously, the keys felt like someone spilled corn syrup and soda in them. The space bar button was also an awful, squashy piece of giraffe feces. Avoid it like the plague. Just get a decent gaming keyboard. (Cough Cough Saitek.)

[thedosbox @ Oct 4th 2007 10:49PM]

Those looking for n52 Vista drivers can rejoice:

http://www.belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&pid=F8GFPC100&aid=5234&scid=231

[Fernando G. @ Oct 4th 2007 11:22PM]

i'm a lefty, but i'd need this on the right =/

[Yoshi Likes Boys @ Oct 5th 2007 12:37AM]

Whoever said that the N52 keys sucked nailed it. The device is a fine idea, but the design was shoddy-ass. VERDICT: FAIL

Unless they fixed that on this, save your money. The Ideazon fang looks like boiled ass, but at least the keys feel decent.

[Sirocco @ Oct 5th 2007 3:56AM]

The obvious next step is to completely replace the arms and legs of our gameboys with game oriented prosthetics.

[Dubb @ Oct 5th 2007 9:17AM]

Ideazon Fang is a good alternative to the N52. I don't get why they have the scroll wheel on it though, can it be programmed separately from the mouse scroll wheel?

[Mike @ Oct 5th 2007 4:27PM]

On the n52? the scroll wheel can be programed as another button yes. All of them can. It's a click wheel so you can use it as a button on click and use the scroll function to switch between states for the device profile. Say PvE on state 1, PvP on state 2, etc...

[Keebler Rockwell @ Oct 5th 2007 12:59PM]

About Time They release a new one.. i owned the n50 as well as the n52 and the squeaky dpad drove me nuts but i live and die by it. now i can put away my saitek pro gamer that tried to replace my n52 and get back to what i love
and no longer having to have hurt wrists on my G15

[BBX @ Oct 5th 2007 5:10PM]

I use mine for hot-keys and macros for modeling in Modo... such a useful little device, can never have too many hot-keys (which is why the bank-shifting is also brilliant).

[Nate @ Oct 6th 2007 12:24AM]

Why doesn't the contest allow PS3 games?

[Ant @ Oct 6th 2007 5:41AM]

Looking more closely at this N52te it looks like they have really mad some great improvements based on what real users have said.

The keys have been given a lower profile and flattened, also buttons 11-14 have been angled forward to follow the natural position of your bent fingers. This is a good improvement, I've often felt the keys on the old N52 were not well designed and off some old Amstrad computer.

Also the thumb pad has been elevated and given a smooth outer edge. No more sore thumbs because you are thumbing the sharp edges. Also a better position for the thumb to side-swipe button 15.