Software - Page 4 - LanOC Reviews

Razer Nostromo - Software

Details: Category: Input Devices; Published: Tuesday, 05 July 2011 12:05

Page 4 of 6

Software
The Nostromo configuration is a single window broken into four tabs. On the 'Assign buttons' tab, a top view of the keypad is shown with a corresponding list of keys with drop down left to the right and left. Though there are only 16 keys, there are a total of 27 customizable options; every click on the Nostromo can be re-mapped, including the eight directional pad. Actions for each key are chosen from the drop down menu, which can be single keys, macros, program launches, profile and mapping switching, or even joystick command emulations. Changes are made and applied to the current profile selected, as indicated by drop down menu just above the key-assign diagram.

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Profiles are not to be confused with key maps. Users can create 20 unique profiles for which to customize actions. Each one of the those profiles can then utilize each one of the eight key maps. To clarify, key map number two (indicated with a red LED) for profle 'WoW' is entirely independent of key map number two for profile 'Rift'. So with a little math power, that's a potential of 160 different key maps!

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Profiles are created and modified in the 'Manage profile' tab, which allows the creation or deletion of any profile, importing and exporting, and a manual switch. Profiles can also be associated with a program in this tab, and set to an auto-switch when that executable is launched. Just as we saw with the Logitech G13, finding the executable for Steam games to be assigned to profiles can be a little difficult as well. By default, a text readout of the profile name will appear in the bottom right of the screen when switched; this can be enabled or disenabled here as well.

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Macros are of course assembled in the 'Manage macros' tab. Macros are created and then recorded into a window on the left. Though you can directly insert a few functions, such as cut/copy/paste or running a program, you cannot insert individual key press, they must be recorded. As of publishing date, the software also automatically erased anything in the window every time you pressed the record button. This means that if you insert basic functions, such as running a program, and then attempt to record a macro, it will delete the function. So those have to be inserted after the recording, which also means if you need to any key presses, again you'll have to start all over.

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Finally, the 'Lighting' tab gives you a little more to tweak with the LED underglow, including a random-seek lighting percent between 10% and 100%. Percentages can be set to change with profiles, and since the Nostromo only visually indicates which key map is selected, the intensity of the glow may be a good way to show which profile you're on (no glow for Rift, 100% for World of Warcraft).

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Posts in discussion: Razer Nostromo

Wingless92 replied the topic: #16464 05 Jul 2011 19:43

Very nice Adam, Cory. I have tried to use these and I just can't, but that's me. I was reading through it just to hear what Cory thought of it. I know he's in love with the G13. Agreed, the screen on the 13 does seem a bit outta place. Do you really need the screen on that thing? The keyboards, you betcha. I use mine all the time. It's great for checking temps in game or seeing what your RAM usage is.

I like the design overall. It certainly looks better than the G13 and it looks way more comfortable.

So Cory, would you still use the G13 or this everyday?

NitrosDragon replied the topic: #16744 19 Jul 2011 00:01

Wingless92 wrote: So Cory, would you still use the G13 or this everyday?

I'm a Logitech G13 user, and am also curious about this.

garfi3ld replied the topic: #16746 19 Jul 2011 00:41

cory would prefer the g13 and adam the Nostromo. Cory uses all of the g13's keys something the Nostromo can't match

NitrosDragon replied the topic: #16851 22 Jul 2011 19:34

garfi3ld wrote: cory would prefer the g13 and adam the Nostromo. Cory uses all of the g13's keys something the Nostromo can't match

Very cool. I use all of the keys on my G13, too, for most profiles. I never thought I actually would, when I first bought it, though.

Kayden replied the topic: #18601 21 Aug 2011 05:07

I bought the N52te aka Razer Nostromo back when Belkin was in charge of it in 2007, the main reason I got it was because I had the N52 and loved it, but that love was not shared with the N52te. The biggest problem was the firmware and software support from Belkin, they just sucked big harry donkey balls. The analog stick didn't work in some games, the keys would be slow to respond in some games and personally my wrist hurt. When I saw Logitech's offering with the G13 I quickly jumped ship and haven't looked back at it since 2008.

It seems like not much has changed but the name, the UI and fixing some of the problems still plaguing it a year after release. I haven't tried in 3 years and I might give it another chance, but the G13 display is very convenient since I use LCD SirReal Panel to watch my temps and other system information, but most importantly it doesn't hurt my wrist. This is because I have long fingers and with the N52te they would hang over or them, but the G13 my palm can rest flat and does not hurt my wrist, along with my fingers not hanging over or feeling sore.

In all physically the N52te was fine, it would only become problematic after a long period of use, but the software and firmware lack of support just killed it for me. I gave it a 3 out of 10 when I used it, perhaps that will change or it wont, but one thing is for sure I wont move away from my G13 anytime soon.