The blue backlighting makes the n52te look attractive without being particularly flashy. The lighting stands out behind the pad's black keys, translucent scroll wheel, and "n52te" logo, giving the entire device a soft glow. Besides the backlit keys and logo, the pad also has three colored LED indicators for additional light. The LEDs glow blue, green, and red, indicating which mode the pad is currently using. Each profile can store three different key maps, keyed to three individual shift modes.
While the programmable buttons make the n52te useful for any gaming genre, the pad works best in first-person shooters. The digital control pad, especially with the stick removed, adds a handy boost when turning and strafing; as your fingers work the W, A, S, D keys for standard movement, the lateral directions on the pad offer just a bit more maneuverability for keeping your target in your sights. The pad plays well enough in massive multiplayer games, such as World of Warcraft, and real-time strategy games, such as Supreme Commander, but those games are generally better served by the additional buttons found on the Saitek pad.
As with the Saitek, the same caveats apply to the Belkin: If you already have a good gaming keyboard, or simply feel comfortable gaming with your current keyboard, you might not even need a dedicated keypad. Nevertheless, assuming you're taking the plunge on a keypad, it's a toss-up between the Saitek and the Belkin. Both pads feel comfortable under the hand and can be programmed and customized to fit your play style. The Saitek boasts an analog stick, a more adjustable handrest, and a higher button count, while the Belkin's scroll wheel and especially its Razer programming software give it an edge. The fact that the Belkin's $70 cost is nearly twice that of the street price of the Saitek might drive many gamers to choose the Saitek as a "good enough" alternative.
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Belkin Nostromo n52te:
