Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I try to work as much as possible on my laptop. It’s powerful enough to handle almost all my photo or video editing tasks. And it’s self-contained, meaning I only need this machine to work as instantly as needed.
This is why I hesitate to add other “gadgets” to the equation. I don’t use a mouse, as the trackpad works well for me, but I use a graphics tablet – either the Wacom Intuos Pro or the Wacom One for more complex work, mainly photo editing.
But recently I used a tool, a controller, to give it its precise name, which quickly became important in the way I work. This is the TourBox Elite controller.
Technical specifications of the TourBox Elite controller
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Outer material :ABS -
Button material : PC (polycarbonate) -
Dial and wheel material : PC and TPU double injection molding -
Haptic motor : Linear motor -
Connectivity : Dual connection Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C cable -
Compatibility : macOS10.11 and above, Windows 10 and above (Windows 7 and 8 supported with additional drivers). -
Dimensions : 116 X 101 X 44mm -
Weight : 376 g without batteries, 426 g with 2x AA batteries
TourBox Elite buttons and dials. TourBox
As for the software you can use with your TourBox Elite, you are spoiled for choice! Think of any photo or video editing app, any drawing software, any browser, or any audio app, and the TourBox Elite will support them. I tested it with the most popular software, Adobe, DaVinci and Apple, and I encountered no problems. It simply works well.
Installation was done in the blink of an eye. You download and install the software, launch it, and choose whether to connect the TourBox Elite controller using a cable or Bluetooth.
The TourBox Elite controller has enough weight to stay in place
I chose to use the controller in a wireless setup and the entire setup process went smoothly on my Mac; it was less than five minutes from opening the box to when the controller worked.
On the desk, the TourBox Elite controller has enough weight (and rubberized feet) to stay in place during use, and the shape fits the hand like a glove. It’s really comfortable to use, even during extended periods of work. Standing on the desk is a necessity, and it’s good to see that’s not an issue with this product. If this controller slipped on the desk, that would have been a bad thing.
The TourBox Elite is super ergonomic. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The other thing you’ll notice is that there are a lot of buttons and dials on the TourBox Elite, a lot of buttons and dials.
Don’t be scared by configurations
This can be daunting at first, so I recommend diving into the beast’s software and taking a look at the presets. I have a lot of experience with gaming mice and controllers, so it didn’t take me long to get used to it. But even I had to make an effort to remember where every button and dial was, let alone configure each one for a specific task.
The software gives you a glimpse of the power of this controller at your fingertips!
The TourBox Elite puts a lot of power at your fingertips. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The buttons and dials on the TourBox Elite are very pleasant to use and respond well. A haptic vibration response motor is also integrated into the controller, which gives an extra dimension to its use. The switches also react well: clear actions from the user are required for them to operate, accidental presses being very rare.
You can make the TourBox Elite as easy or complex to use as you want
I expected such quality with this plastic controller, but very solid and heavy, it is very well built, much better than the best controller you can find for a game console.
You can make the TourBox Elite as easy or complex to use as you want, but if this is your first time using this type of tool, I recommend adjusting just a few knobs to do specific things and working yourself out. get used to these few buttons before adding more. This way, your productivity won’t be affected too much at first, and you can quickly start enjoying the benefits of the TourBox Elite.
ZDNET’s purchasing advice for the TourBox Elite controller
If you spend a lot of time in front of applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premier Pro, DaVinci Studio, AutoDesk AutoCad, Capture One, or even one of Microsoft Office software, and you perform a lot of repetitive tasks, you will find this invaluable solution. Sure, you have to put in the effort to learn how to use it, but persevere because the benefits are definitely worth it.
If there’s one thing I don’t like about the TourBox Elite controller though, it’s the way it’s powered when using Bluetooth. I was expecting a built-in battery, but instead it uses two AA batteries… But luckily the batteries last a few months, and in fact I replaced the disposable alkaline batteries with rechargeable ones.
If you can do without some “elite” features, the more affordable TourBox NEO model may suit you better. It has the same buttons and dials, but therefore lacks some more advanced features such as wireless Bluetooth connectivity, haptic feedback, and the ability to control two devices.
Source: “ZDNet.com”