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Tourbox NEO Review
🕑 Added 2021-10-25 14:14:35 +0000 UTC
Tourbox reached out to me and gave me their device to review. I’ve been amused with it so far. The whole thing is built quite well, with nice tactile feedback in pressing buttons and turning knobs and wheels. You can map keys to particular buttons or even combinations which present some depth in customization. My favorite part was definitely figuring out what worked best for me. And it was a process of mix and matching bindings. A game in itself.
If you know me, then you know I’ve been fussy with optimizing workflow for a while now, and really enjoying the amount of control you get from the device. It has a lot of what most (game) controllers have that I’ve fiddled with in addition to extra knobs and wheels, but I think what makes it way more convenient is the fact it has dedicated software for mapping. Like I think it’s the biggest draw for me.
In the past I’ve resorted to controller to keyboard mappings, but usually a bit hacky to get what I wanted. While configuring a Tourbox is way more intuitive. I especially like being able to register a different function to a key depending on if another key is pressed or if you’ve double tapped it. This presents some depth in customization.
It definitely takes time to get used to, but it’ll definitely pay back in a lot of ways once you get used to it. I’ve caught myself changing settings as I go along. And it is a process to set up too, in terms of finding the right balance of comfort and intuitive convenience. Making sure functions I always use are quite easy to reach while rarer functions with more obscure combinations. It’s going to be different for everyone for sure. And a nice bonus is you can set different profiles not just per program but multiple ones in one program. This gives you control in not just one but different programs. Big plus.
Devices like these are definitely meant to provide convenience, which in turn allows you to make the most of your drawing sessions. I’d say not thinking too much about where my hand should go to trigger a key or even the fact it takes my hand away from the ever so tempting Alt+Tab combination has added a lot in terms of productivity. It’s definitely a great tool for people like me who pretty much draw for a living and do a shitton at that.
It’s a nice pick up when you feel ready to start optimizing your workflow in favor of being able to do work for less strain. For someone like me who does sequential stuff, like comics, definitely a big deal.
If you’re ever interested in it, the device is available in Amazon and B&H Photo, and you can avail a 10USD off coupon using my coupon code CYAN
https://store.tourboxtech.com/?rfsn=6189953.556f508
