I own the n52 and n50. I like the n52 so much more. The new buttons make a big difference. Moge, If you are forgetting what keys you have mapped I suggest printing a table listing your key assignments. I have an example around here somewhere… I will see if I can find it.
/edit: here is the only SWG-n52 layout I can find. This version was a work in progress, and was not close to beign finnished... but it is an example of the page I would print out untill I learned my key bindings.
I was never a WASZ key user for MAJOR movement… I never used the up, down, left right keys for MAJOR movement. I have always used my mouse for almost all MAJOR movement. So I just don’t find myself using the Dpad for MAJOR movement. I almost never use it as my main movement device. 99% of the time I use Dpad for ground emergency combat. Usually this means using the Dpad for running backwards with my other hand mouselooking over my shoulder / steering to see what I am shooting at as I retreat.
In JtL beta I experimented with the Dpad in two ways.
1) when joystick control was horrendous, I used the Dpad for fine tune crosshair adjustments. Back then the slightest Joystick movement would move the ship drastically.... I used both my joystick and my Dpad.... the stick drove the ship, I used the n52 D pad to inch left, right up, down, to follow the target. This worked amazingly back then... However I think the joystick controls got better after I was blocked out of beta.
2) The second way I used my Dpad in JtL beta was kind of like a menu. I cant remember exactly but my set up was up/down cycled enemies in/out and left/right cycled firendlies. I sometimes used the Dpad to cycle weapons/fire settings. Basically back then I was setting up my joystick with all the MAJOR commands, and then passed many secondary commands that would not fit on my joystick onto my N52.
I think the people who say the #15 key is hard to push just are loony.... yeah is does not work like a normal key when you reach across from your keyboard to the N52 and hit #15.... but when your hand is in place, your thumb resting on the key and in that position the key works exactly as intended. When you intentionally put weight on your thumb the key will press.
I use the #15 key as the cycle shift. I usually use the red thumb as a cycle target.