Reddit reviews Razer Nostromo PC Gaming Keypad

I hope you're left handed. I cannot recommend any game, but I would recommend this : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AM5RB6/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000DC643&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0RJXNPTCJTPQE3K7KF1Y

I have one and having a configuration like that, I imagine, would make things better.

But if your mouse is in your left hand, your keyboard would be to the right of that, and then you couldn't type with both hands. Or do most lefties use a gamepad like this

Goddamn, this question is why this subreddit exists. If you find what you're looking for, you're gonna need this:

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

Godspeed, Captain.

Grab one of these (or something similar from another brand) and a mouse:

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

and you should be able to keep your hands/arms at your sides.

All the best.

If you want a secondary controler, get an N52. I literaly can't play without one.

You want this one.

There is a PC peripheral that allows thumbstick usage on left hand and mouse on right. Cammy uses one iirc and so did Changed. Looks pretty cool.

​

Azeron

​

nostromo

​

Orbweaver

• My first character will be either a Norn Necromancer or Thief.
  
  I'd rather play the Necro in PvE and the Thief in PvP mainly because of my choice in play style.
  
  I have two things that won't necessarily make me the best player, but will reward me with efficiency above that of most other players. The Razer Nostromo and Razer Naga.
  
  Never having to take your hand off the WASD keys provides constant control of positioning, dodging ability, etc. Instead of using your 2/3/4 fingers for hitting number skills and the F-keys, I'm able to use the numbers on my mouse for skills and the joystick for my F1-F4. The round button above the stick will be used for weapon swaps, and the button next to Mouse1 will be for things such as Death Shroud, Burst Attacks, Steal, etc.
  
  
  
• As for combat style, I already have many plans and styles for fighting each different profession and their weapon sets, but only with my few first-choice professions.
  
  Thief: Extreme mobility, most likely going to favorite the Sword/Dagger and Shortbow, but this will all change depending on the combat scene. Larger groups will need to be tackled with more of an AoE control, so I may take Blinding Powder, Caltrops, and Signet of Shadows along with my Sword/Dagger for big group support and direct spike damage.
  
  
  In PvP, depending on the size of the confrontation, there are many ways to change and anticipate coming battles on the fly. As a Thief, I may come across an Elementalist with flaming hands, signifying his current attunement. I can prepare for heavy dodging and a lot of movement, possibly reverting back and forth between ranged and close-quarters-combat. I'd prefer the Dagger/Pistol and Pistol/Pistol against an Ele with Scorpion Wire, Apply Poison, and Roll for Initiative. This will allow me to dodge his slow casting, slow moving fire attacks at range, and in close range I can deal enough damage quickly to get him to relinquish his heal and maybe a couple utilities then finish off with a quick dual unload after RfI.
  
  
  I could go on and on..
  
  

If you are decent shooting with a mouse, then consider getting one of the follow for FPS:

Razer Nostromo (56.99 US)

[Logitech G13 (55.99 US)] (http://amzn.com/B001NEK2GE)

Either one will take a brief period to get used to (your thumb will cramp until you find an ideal hand position), but they improving gaming immensely for me. Movement is controlled via a D-Pad, just like an X-box controller, and the better accuracy with the mouse. I only use the Xbox controller for driving games, like GTA/burnout and a few console specific ports.

I always found these to be useful. You probably already know about them though: https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

fully programmable with the included software.

I like this discussion, I think good stretches and warmups are important to any activity, whether it be yoga, football, or gaming.

On that note, ergonomic positioning and technique is very important to save your limbs over the long haul. Trust me, I got some serious carpal tunnel from my laptop keyboard. To help combat this, I recommend a couple of products to make gaming for comfortable:

• Gaming Keypads: The linked one is my current keyboard, although I got it for much, much cheaper. It gives you a natural palm rest and the ability to move your keyboard freely for enhanced comfort.
  
  
• Wrist cushions to keep your wrists level, and ease the strain of long sessions.
  
  
• Wrist Braces Which do a lot to keep more strain off your wrists, and pressure off of your painful median nerve.
  
  
• Comfort-conscious mice I haven't had a chance to try this one out personally, but it is important to use a mouse that is the right size for your hands.
  
  Another good practice is to make sure your chair and desk height are high enough to keep your arms level to your input devices.
  
  Products listed are items I currently use, and I am not paid for their endorsement, I have found they were economical and practical for the prices I paid

What is it called?

Edit: Wow they're pretty expensive. logitech sells it for 65 and Razer for $340. Wtf

I really wish I had an extra keyboard with dozens of keys. There are these:

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1406316713&sr=8-4&keywords=gaming+numpad

But they are ungodly expensive because they are marketed to 'pro gamers'. Maybe I could modify a regular keyboard and assign unicode to the keys somehow (if that would even work).

If you don't like the keyboard, you could get a razer nostromo. They are pretty pricey new, but i got mine for £10 on eBay.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004AM5RB6/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1367761253&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

I'll be playing with:

• Razer DeathAdder
  
• CM Storm Trigger
  
• Audio Technica AD700 - Possibly. Haven't decided for sure yet.
  
  Also have a 3D monitor and glasses if I feel inclined to play GW2 in 3D, though after having tried it during recent stress tests, I'm not sure I will.
  
  ___
  
  On the subject of peripherals, if anyone is browsing through these posts trying to get ideas on future purchases:
  
  Razer products: Use caution and make informed decisions before buying them. With Razer, most of the time you're paying for the brand name more than anything. Their quality control is known to be really shoddy compared to other brands. Their mice and the Nostromo are typically good (though even then, my first DeathAdder mouse was faulty and had to be RMA'd), but everything else is average at best, faulty and unreliable at worst. I was looking into buying a Blackwidow in my mechanical keyboard search this month, but decided against it in the end because there were simply far too many reports of faulty, flimsy, or otherwise broken parts (both out of the box or down the line) for me to buy with confidence. Bottom line, do your research on the likes of Google, Amazon and Newegg reviews, etc. before making a purchase. Not even just with Razer products, but anything you ever plan on investing significant money into.
  
  Mechanical keyboards: They're a really great investment if you're in the market for a keyboard and can fit them in the budget. They're a lot more pricey, but you really get what you pay for with these. Mechanical keys are an absolute pleasure to type and game on compared to the cheap membrane keys which are standard today. These keyboards provide great tactility, feedback, accuracy, and are made to last far, far longer than your standard keyboard.
  
  Audio Peripherals: First of all, do not buy gaming headsets. Once again, you're paying a lot more for the brand and the title of "gaming headset" than the actual product quality. Frankly, most (if not all) gaming headsets' quality and audio fidelity are downright poor in comparison to dedicated headphones that you can get for the same or lesser price. The best thing to do if you want to get the most bang for your buck is to buy a nice pair of headphones, and if you're dead-set on having an attached mic, invest into something like the ModMic or mod one on yourself.

Probably this, Oculus, a mouse, and a joystick.

The problem with a BF game is that there are a tons of buttons useful for mapping, which makes a keyboard less than ideal with limited access to buttons. There are workarounds, however.

The free option is to simply shift your walking/strafing buttons over to the right. That is, instead of using WASD, use ESDF. It's very odd at first, but once you get used to it, your left ring and pinky fingers have access to an additional 3 buttons.

If you're willing to spend money, the option I recommend is investing in a gamepad:

• The Razer Nostromo has been around for years. I currently use one of these. You lose out on the top row which would normally serve as your "number" buttons, but your thumb has access to a lot more buttons. In addition to the "space bar", there's the big round button which most people use for VoIP, as well as the directional pad which gives you an additional 8 buttons. Truthfully, I have trouble properly pressing the diagonals on the directional pad, so I only use the vertical and horizontal axis. This gives me "only" 4 more buttons, but it's just enough for me.
  
  
• Razer came out with a newer gamepad recently, the Razer Orbweaver, which looks to be more or less the same as the Nostromo, but adds the missing "number keys" in the top row. The keys are also mechanical.
  
  
• If you're not a fan of a gamepad, you can always get a mouse that has more buttons. Most mice have the forward, back, and middle mouse buttons for use, but mice with tilt-wheel capabilities add 2 more buttons you can use.

Web navigation? You'll need to minimize representative repetitive, unnecessary motion.

You could switch to using more of the keyboard for everything. You'll spread the load over 10 fingers.

Warning possible sales pitch: https://youtu.be/AKGXZ1ReU54

Try vim: http://www.openvim.com/ https://youtu.be/NzD2UdQl5Gc

Try: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vimium/dbepggeogbaibhgnhhndojpepiihcmeb


Autohotkey for windows stuff.

A thing like this: https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

Few years ago I was doing a lot of CAD with a mouse and keyboard. I switched to a game pad, I even moved mouse clicking to my left hand with a game pad.

I've thought of getting one of these for this game. I remember I always thought something like it would be nice way back when I played wow.

Cross platform is really rare but it does happen. FFXI had cross-platform gameplay between PC, PS2, and XBox 360. Portal 2 also had cross platform multiplayer with PC and PS3.

FPS games are another story. Microsoft reportedly played around with the idea years ago and it didn't turn out well. PC players obliterated console players every time.

Shadowrun had integrated multiplayer and tried to make it work by handicapping PC players with artificial lag and a less reliable crosshair. Console players also got aim assist. As you can probably guess, this wasn't well-received by PC customers, but PC players still dominated even with all the handicaps. You just can't argue against the superiority of the K+M. A mouse is always going to be far more intuitive for aiming than a joystick or thumbpad.

But let's say they solved it somehow by having three kinds of servers: Mixed, PC only, and console only. Pretty easy, right? The community is much more cohesive, more friends can play with one another (regardless of what platform they're on), and you can choose to play wherever you want. Everyone wins.

Well, Valve was planning on making Counter-Strike: Global Offensive a cross-platform title but canned the idea because they couldn't release updates for console copies as fast as they could for PCs.

Patches for PC games are very easy to implement and free. I've never owned an XBox but I believe XBLA patches require a lot more QA and negotiation with Microsoft to get release approval, all of which comes at a price. I've heard it costs a shitload of money to get a patch out on a console, whereas it's essentially free for PCs.

I honestly think it's more politics than anything else. Manufacturers could easily produce peripherals that mimic a K+M combo for consoles like a Nostromo. If console manufacturers pushed developers to balance console FPS titles around K+M again, people will buy those peripherals, too. They're already throwing down $400 bucks for a console. What's another $50 bucks for a guy that's already that invested in gaming? It's not much more expensive than a joypad.

But getting Microsoft and Sony to play nice with PCs is already hard. Getting Microsoft and Sony to play nice with one another is way, way harder. There's no practical difference between playing FPS on a PlayStation or an XBox. Setting up the infrastructure to have integrated cross console play isn't difficult either, but console manufacturers want more exclusivity, not less.

you can buy one of these they have a button on the side that lets you switch between 3 sets of keybinds

Why not just a Razer type of keypad?

Hell, I don't even use the Razer I have. I may once the game comes out, but I'm already well-adapted to a normal keyboard. Seems like a lot of work for not much pay off.

You can get her a gamepad like Razer Nostromo Gaming Keypad or Logitech's G13 Gameboard. Set the joystick to movement and everything else for skills and others.

I think it is this
https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

I only HAD one saitek products. It was shit right from the start.
Never ever anything from them.
Cheap quality.
Notice how they not bothered to put out an actual picture about the product. Only rendered images. And not related game pictures.
Stay away from saitek.
Buy one from derek for example. And a budget wireless mouse. :D
Or a razer gaming pad or something like that.
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6
Stick. Buttons. ergonomic+makros. And usable outside simracing.

Razer OrbWeaver and the Razer Nostromo have plenty of buttons, cursor control, and a scroll wheel. Plus they're left handed. You'll have to re learn your mouse control on a joy stick however.

Edit: Orbweaver does not have scroll wheel if you get the mechanical variant

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6
https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Orbweaver-Chroma-Mechanical-Adjustable/dp/B013P0HW7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1537359666&sr=1-1&keywords=orbweaver

check this out

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

man. i remember when that pad was still under belkin as the n52te before razer bought it. i think i bought one long ago for 30 or 40 bucks

also, no way that's worth 175. here's one on ebay for 75 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Razer-Nostromo-RZ07-00490100-R3U1-Wired-Keyboard-/262497282393 and even on amazon for ~130 https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_6_olp

even the next generation of that which seems to be the razer tartarus is 60-70 new https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Tartarus-Programmable-Including-Thumb-pad/dp/B00ZTRW00C/ref=sr_1_1

heck, even the orbweaver which at least is mechanical is 130 https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Orbweaver-Mechanical-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B00N2ROG30

edit: price was removed but it was listed as being worth 175

Belkin/Razer also makes one, similar price to the G13

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0

1. WASD 1-5 on my keyboard 6-0 on my Razer Naga.
   
   
2. 6-0 keys if needed on my Naga.
   http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Laser-Gaming-Mouse-RZ01-00280100-R3/dp/B002MPPRPO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324456414&sr=1-1
   
   
3. Razer Naga for a mouse, keyboard wise it's really all preference however if you want to get the most out of your gaming I've heard good things about the Razer Nostromo http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/B004AM5RB6 or the Wolfking Warrior, friend of mine has a Warrior and swears by it
   
   http://www.amazon.com/WolfKing-DK2388UBK-Warrior-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B000IMZHL2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324456396&sr=1-1

One of these?

What's the difference between this and the Nostromo Pad?

It’s been around for decades, I’ve rarely seen them in use, even by so called pro gamers.

Razer Nostromo PC Gaming Keypad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KTbiAb0EFJZGC

For me I just got used to the old keyboards of the 80s and relearning even on something like this felt like work and not fun.

it’s the razor nostromo

If you want a testament to the current crappiness of razer, have a look at the nostromo n52te... before it became a dedicated razer product.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004AM5RB6/sr=8-2/qid=1417050664/ref=olp_tab_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1417050664&sr=8-2

$200-400 new. It was $55 retail when it was being made still. Mine is STILL working perfectly after 6 years of use in wow

I remember magikarpusedfly making a video a few years back telling people about his setup and it was crazy stupid, he didnt use a traditional mouse and keyboard rather a keyboard with a tracking ball fixed into it, dont know what its called. Ill link the video and device used after some research.

Edit: heres the video:- https://youtu.be/aECryQ8O9GM

Edit 2:heres the link for the device:-
https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6
using the razer nostromo will feel awkward af at first but dont give up on it, you will get used to it.

I just got one of these mouses for my fiance. Its pretty cool, the side joystick thing could be helpful

Nice. If you like having more programmable buttons, maybe consider a speedpad for your left hand.

I used this https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6 for years and it was fantastic up until I broke it inadvertently. (Dropped a subwoofer on it... I don't like to talk about it lmao.)

It doesn't matter that much to me. I've worked with a corsair gaming mouse with 6 or 7 buttons which I set up to make editing way easier but I'm mainly a keyboard shortcut junky. Reaper allows for building very robust functions especially paired with SWS extension.

I work on a windows machine at home with a small mini apple keyboard and some standard single key actions require a function key which is non optimal, although it does save a lot of room.

edit: I would like to see what one of those macro gaming keypads might add, http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6 , but USB ports are starting to run low, between keyboard, 2 external HDs, ilok, mouse, faderport, axiom 25, webcam, and a port reserved for a thumbdrive to make transfers between machines.

I should probably buy an external blu-ray drive for an added level of backup.

He could play cave story on pc if he binds the keys right. I beat it without much problem one handed because I wanted to be able to multitask while I played. Didn't really feel weird or more difficult than playing it two handed once I got used to it.

Really, if he plays on pc at all, he could buy something like this and be able to play most types of games with the right keybindings.

EDIT: Also, I found this page which might be something for him to read into. http://onearmedgraphics.com/chronic-pain/one-handed-gaming/

That could work. I have in the past looked at (pictures of) the Razer Nostromo and Logitech G13, because I like the idea of a thumbstick for movement, but you lose the advantage of the extra keys with a joystick. All the reviews I read said the thumbsticks were pretty poor, and ultimatley I couldn't justify buying either of them.

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/tags-on-product/B004AM5RB6

Same item, same price, no tax for most?

Although the quality of the pic is terrible it looks like this one. The mouse is a Razer Deathadder as well so odds are both are Razer.

I think of this when I see the words gamepad. Clarify if you want a gamepad or a game controller.

I think you're talking about a controller, probably for FPS? Note that if you're using a controller for FPS, you're going to get slaughtered, if you try to use a controller for MMO, RTS...you can't. You have to play with keyboard and mice if you want to be able to keep up in multiplayer games.

here is another mouse with thumb buttons that might help but might be too big
http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-gaming/vengeance-gaming-mice/vengeance-m90-performance-mmo-rts-laser-gaming-mouse.html

there are hand gaming like keyboards
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_4?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1342817363&sr=1-4

also have you ever thought about getting pedals
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826102003

You can make a type of shift mod macro so that when you press the pedal it will change what your mouse buttons do giving you a lot more buttons with out having to move your hands a lot. Or you could bind strafe left and right to the pedals. If you need help with shadow priest i can help you out with improving your dps sending me your character name in a pm. Or if you want to stay anonymous I'll give you a vent or mumble you can enter and talk to me there and i can help you with macros for shadow priest.

Here is a link to my character if you are wondering who i am
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/antonidas/Ellgar/simple

There is also other programs that will as long as you hold down a key keep repeating pressing the button for you. This is against the TOS as far as i am aware of but i don't know anyone who has got banned yet for using it but don't take my word on that.

Just gotta get one of these.

Comes out to a $10 discount over Amazon which is new w/free shipping if you have Prime (not sure how to get the shipping amount without it).

Woot's worth looking at just for their description though. Thanks for posting that =)

Well I did a good deal of searching and I could not find any left handed mice with more than a few buttons unfortunately. It does sound like razer will be releasing a version of their razer naga soon, although there is no official release date. I would mention that a gamepad such as the razer nostromo or the logitech g13 might work as a substitute, but you would need to get used to controlling your mouse with a joystick.

Mouse: Logitech G500

Keyboard: Razer Widow Ultimate

Keypad: Razer Nostromo Keypad

Monitor: Some monitor I got with a prebuilt HP a couple years ago. Scrapped the PC but kept the monitor. Hoping to purchase a set of Monitors but not quite sure what to get. Recommendations?

For sure, my bad. The pad was a Razer Nostromo and the mouse a Mamba I think?

Or perhaps one of these, or Razer's other similar controllers?

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503973586&sr=8-2&keywords=razer+nostromo

Does anyone have one of those "professional" gaming keyboards seen here? I've always been curious as to how good they actually are and how easily one can get accustomed to using it. Also, it looks pretty badass ecspecially if the mouse can be "unsheathed" from the keyboard as seen in VGHS.

I use a controller at the couch, and if it's a game that requires kb/m I sit at the desk. You could try a gaming trackball like this on the couch, but I don't know if you would like it any better than a controller.

Instead of a keyboard you could try using a Razor Nostromo so you can keep moving with just your thumb.

• 2x Dualshock 4 controllers with charging dock
  
  
• Blue Microphones Yeti Black with pop filter and windscreen
  
  
• Logitech Gaming G Saitek X52 Pro Flight Controller
  
  
• Razer Nostromo PC Gaming Keypad
  
  
• SMOKTech X Cube II 160w vape with two sets of 18650 batteries, as well as a nice 4 battery LCD charger, and two juice tanks
  
  
  All are cleaned and in excellent condition; I take care of my shit :) Pics upon request

Keep in mind that there are more than just this one on the market as well.
Theres the Saitek Cyborg
The Razer Orbweaver, Tartarus and Nostromo
The Delux T9
As well as The Warrior Gaming Keypad
Among others that appear and disappear from the market from time to time. It's all about what you are looking for in a game keypad.

Something like this. You can either use it to go wasd or use the thumb joystick to move.

Lots of peripherals like this exist now.

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

The G13 (Logitech) is about $65.

The one shown is a Razer Nostromo. It is $300 on Amazon right now. There is no way I paid that much for mine a few years back lol. I think it was about $80.

The mouse is Razer Naga, the logitech version is the G600 MMO.

As someone who own both brands, Logitech has lasted me way longer. I have issues with some of my Razer products -.-

Logitech and Razer are the 2 big names I know for this type of PC gaming hardware, however there are many options at many different prices.

I know BestBuy has started carrying these in stores, so if you happen to have one in the area, you could maybe place your hand on one to get the "feel".

I used one of these when I played WoW and it worked wonderfully.

Apparently they're $220 on amazon

This is a life saver. The thumb stick takes the place of WASD, freeing up those fingers for the 14 buttons. (Has a 3-way thumb toggle as well, making those 14 buttons actually 42 buttons)

Would you say this one would work well?

Ahh gotcha. If I end up getting something like a Nostromo (http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370480947&sr=8-1&keywords=nostromo) I'll definitely get a keyboard without a number pad, but otherwise I like my numberpad in MMOs. Seems like all the good mechanical keyboards with numberpads are $100+ but you can get a CM TKL one for around $75-$80.

It just feels so unnatural and unintuative using the pointing finger. Its also not very comfy in the first place. A pretty poor substitute for wasd vector, or a left hand thumbstick.

If I buy anything I'd love for it to be more dedicated to the task.
Something like this would be perfect, it only it were a big thruster as well ahaha.
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398152211&sr=8-2&keywords=nostromo

The CH is superb with an analog thumbstick in the perfect position, too bad it'll cost an arm and a leg.

That's the other one. This is the Nostromo pictured - http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

Quite honestly, the keys on the Nostromo feel like shit (Rubber domes) compared to mechanical keys, but I guess some people still like it.

In some games you can plug in a controller and use the keyboard and mouse with it at the same time, and just use the left stick for movement.

There's also a few peripherals that work similarly to mice but also have analog controls, like this one

• Razer Nostromo keypad.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1483685861&sr=8-9&keywords=nostromo
  
  
• Madcatz mmo TE edition mouse.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-M-M-O-TE-Tournament-Gaming/dp/B00MHTF1M4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483685892&sr=8-2&keywords=mmo+te

I guess to each their own. when I had my n52 It just became apparent to me it was a keyboard numpad with a very poor quality d-pad and a ok mouse wheel in an unfortuantly bad position...

I could get nearly all the functionality by just putting my left hand on the actual numpad and binding it as I would the n52. since you are moving your hand off the WASD area to a grid spaced pad its really close in usage. even more so if you have a nice keyboard wrist rest.

Im sure to the "pro gamers" that doesnt sound similar but I dare them to try it for 5 minutes and see how closely it functions. I guess if you also have some non standard ergo or gamer keyboard you might need to replicate it again with a n52. mode shifting is done in software anyways so no reason that couldn't be done on the numpad too. its a product trying to find a problem, thats why they werent popular back in the day when they came out and why belkin stopped making them and they got picked up as some razor "gaming gear" and re-spun for MMO and MOBA players.

I would gladly change my opinion if say they added some other actual features like analog sticks or pressure sensitive keys etc that would make its existence justified.

I just dont see how they can go from 60 dollars to a mind boggleing 300 dollars. like WHAT? the other sellers have 329... what a great deal.

why wouldnt someone pay a fraction and at least get a logitec G13? its got a screen, stick, more buttons and costs way less.

Would a speedpad (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324743080&sr=8-1 ) help? Target selection, I mean it's not perfect but I tend to tab-target (target nearest hostile in keybindings) to select mobs, it's a bit slower than clicking with a mouse for fast switching but as long as he's not raiding at the cutting edge it might be alright?

Also depends what class he plays. Healing anything more than a 5-man would be challenging, but with 5-mans you can assign party member slots to hotkeys for targetting. I'm not sure how it'd work in a raid.

The original had mechanical keys and had 4 states (blank, red, green, blue), whereas the TE had bubble buttons and only 3 states (no blank state). Belkin then sold the concept to Razer which made an even worse version. The original was better in every way except aesthetics.

The original

Tournament Edition

Razor

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-Gaming-Keypad-RZ07-00490100-R3/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1