Jeff7
Lifer
Product Link
Just got one as payment for some computer work. So, I'll tell y'all about my experience with it thus far.
It comes in a package that looks like Logitech and others' mouse packaging - the clear plastic shield, cardboard, etc. It has a USB connector that handles power and signalling. It's about 5-6 feet long too, which should be plenty.
Hardest part of installation was probably getting the plastic wrap thing off of the cable. Otherwise, it was plug-n-play. I just downloaded the latest drivers right from Belkin's site, installed them, then plugged in the SpeedPad. It was detected right away, and was ready to use. It has a little icon in the system tray; double click on that and it brings up a profile editor. This is probably to allow for multiple configurations for different people or even games. Clicking the Launch Editor button brings up a picture of the SpeedPad; the buttons can be clicked on to change their function. Pressing keys and moving the wheel or the thumbkey makes them light up red on the picture. All of the buttons on the gamepad can be configured to function as a single key, or they can be programmed to perform macros. The macros even have the option of recording the time between keystrokes.
In addition to the programmability of individual keys, it features multiple "levels" of operation - shift levels. There's normal, Red, Blue, and Green, which are indicated on the keypad by LEDs. What's this for? Normal level can be used for navigation, but if you want to send a prerecorded message, or run a macro, just enter a shift mode with a flick of a finger, and press the key. Basically, each key can be configured for up to 4 different functions, one in each "level." Toggling shift modes is done with keys on the SpeedPad (which ones are used to do this can also be programmed by the user). The shift mode can be set to either toggle or momentary.
That's most of the features, hope none were forgotten... On to usability:
Well, it's, um, another keyboard, rolled into a small ergonomic package. Your hand rests on it, giving your fingers access to the 10 keys, and your thumb is left to use the small 8-way thumbswitch. (though the in-between options can be tough to hit precisely; it really is more of a 4-way switch)
The biggest issue I had with configuring it right was getting all the game features associated with buttons on the keypad - remembering which keys do what, and which keys are actually needed. Once that is done though, it's just a matter of getting used to the keypad's relation to the game, as with any game. If you've just gotten the game, it will be a LOT easier to get used to the SpeedPad than if you're like me - used the same keyboard config in almost every game since Doom/Duke Nukem 3D. Then it takes some getting used to; I'm almost used to it now, and it's been about two hours.🙂
Bugginess: yes, there is some. For example, I have separate keys to go Left, Jump, and Crouch. Pressing left and crouch at the same time results in a jump. Why this is I do not know. To see what I mean in the picture, when I press button 02 and 07 together, I get the function of key 06. No idea why it does this either.
Edit: Seems Belkin is already aware of this; from their FAQ:
"We are currently looking into a fix and when it becomes available, we will post the information about it on our FAQ"
No idea when that was posted though, or if they are still working on this.
Ok, so, I guess that I haven't forgotten anything, so it's a quick Pro/Con thingy:
Behold the Good:
- Good design (if you are right handed that is) - fits the classic Left hand-> keyboard, and Right hand-> mouse setup
- Easy to learn, and fairly simple to adapt to
- LOTS of programmability - macros, multi-level key functions
- Little raised bump to help keep fingers centered, like those on the F and J keys
- Very simple installation
- Much easier to memorize than a keyboard
- Doesn't come in iMac-ish colors
Fear the Evil:
- Combining some keys results in other unprogrammed functions
- 8-way thumbswitch is better suited to work as a 4-way
- Hmm....uh, it doesn't have a direct neural connection...
- Doesn't come in iMac-ish colors
Oh yes, the "testbed" consisted of:
Win98SE with latest patches from WindowsUpdate
Shuttle AK35GTR motherboard; latest official 4-in-1's installed
Athlon XP 1500@1800 (1.33GHz@1.53GHz)
512MB PC2100 RAM
Just got one as payment for some computer work. So, I'll tell y'all about my experience with it thus far.
It comes in a package that looks like Logitech and others' mouse packaging - the clear plastic shield, cardboard, etc. It has a USB connector that handles power and signalling. It's about 5-6 feet long too, which should be plenty.
Hardest part of installation was probably getting the plastic wrap thing off of the cable. Otherwise, it was plug-n-play. I just downloaded the latest drivers right from Belkin's site, installed them, then plugged in the SpeedPad. It was detected right away, and was ready to use. It has a little icon in the system tray; double click on that and it brings up a profile editor. This is probably to allow for multiple configurations for different people or even games. Clicking the Launch Editor button brings up a picture of the SpeedPad; the buttons can be clicked on to change their function. Pressing keys and moving the wheel or the thumbkey makes them light up red on the picture. All of the buttons on the gamepad can be configured to function as a single key, or they can be programmed to perform macros. The macros even have the option of recording the time between keystrokes.
In addition to the programmability of individual keys, it features multiple "levels" of operation - shift levels. There's normal, Red, Blue, and Green, which are indicated on the keypad by LEDs. What's this for? Normal level can be used for navigation, but if you want to send a prerecorded message, or run a macro, just enter a shift mode with a flick of a finger, and press the key. Basically, each key can be configured for up to 4 different functions, one in each "level." Toggling shift modes is done with keys on the SpeedPad (which ones are used to do this can also be programmed by the user). The shift mode can be set to either toggle or momentary.
That's most of the features, hope none were forgotten... On to usability:
Well, it's, um, another keyboard, rolled into a small ergonomic package. Your hand rests on it, giving your fingers access to the 10 keys, and your thumb is left to use the small 8-way thumbswitch. (though the in-between options can be tough to hit precisely; it really is more of a 4-way switch)
The biggest issue I had with configuring it right was getting all the game features associated with buttons on the keypad - remembering which keys do what, and which keys are actually needed. Once that is done though, it's just a matter of getting used to the keypad's relation to the game, as with any game. If you've just gotten the game, it will be a LOT easier to get used to the SpeedPad than if you're like me - used the same keyboard config in almost every game since Doom/Duke Nukem 3D. Then it takes some getting used to; I'm almost used to it now, and it's been about two hours.🙂
Bugginess: yes, there is some. For example, I have separate keys to go Left, Jump, and Crouch. Pressing left and crouch at the same time results in a jump. Why this is I do not know. To see what I mean in the picture, when I press button 02 and 07 together, I get the function of key 06. No idea why it does this either.
Edit: Seems Belkin is already aware of this; from their FAQ:
"We are currently looking into a fix and when it becomes available, we will post the information about it on our FAQ"
No idea when that was posted though, or if they are still working on this.
Ok, so, I guess that I haven't forgotten anything, so it's a quick Pro/Con thingy:
Behold the Good:
- Good design (if you are right handed that is) - fits the classic Left hand-> keyboard, and Right hand-> mouse setup
- Easy to learn, and fairly simple to adapt to
- LOTS of programmability - macros, multi-level key functions
- Little raised bump to help keep fingers centered, like those on the F and J keys
- Very simple installation
- Much easier to memorize than a keyboard
- Doesn't come in iMac-ish colors
Fear the Evil:
- Combining some keys results in other unprogrammed functions
- 8-way thumbswitch is better suited to work as a 4-way
- Hmm....uh, it doesn't have a direct neural connection...
- Doesn't come in iMac-ish colors
Oh yes, the "testbed" consisted of:
Win98SE with latest patches from WindowsUpdate
Shuttle AK35GTR motherboard; latest official 4-in-1's installed
Athlon XP 1500@1800 (1.33GHz@1.53GHz)
512MB PC2100 RAM
