Anyone who digitizes their analog images or does a mix of digital and analog photography will likely spend a good portion of their time editing images. TourBox Tech wants to shorten that time and make it more efficient with its TourBox Neo.
In 2016, the team at TourBox began developing a device that would make operating graphics and video software more efficient and easy. Then in 2018, TourBox was unveiled and crowdfunded. In the meantime, the device can also be purchased regularly.
What is the TourBox Neo? The TourBox is an input device about the size of a hand. Distributed on the surface are 14 different buttons and wheels. You can assign different shortcuts and combinations to them with the free software. Many combinations of the different buttons are possible.
The TourBox is connected to the computer via USB. There is a USB-C port on the top and a USB-C to USB-A cable is included. Additionally, you have to install the free software for Mac and Windows. This software is also available in German (not perfectly translated in some places). On the website you can choose presets for DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, Lightroom, Affinity Photo, Capture One, Premiere, Final Cut Pro X, Clip Studio Paint, Chrome, Vegas, CorelDRAW, Illustrator, PowerPoint, Exposure X6, Zbrush, Easy Paint Tool SAI and After Effects. For each program you can set your own presets and the control software will also automatically detect the program and change accordingly.
I looked at the TourBox mostly in Lightroom, since I use Lightroom the most. I had a quick look at the presets and then decided to create my own preset. To get the most out of it, you have to learn your specific preferences and most common shortcuts.
In the beginning, the many available combinations can be a bit overwhelming. Therefore, it makes sense to take a look at your own workflow first and then enter the corresponding combinations into the software. It is very helpful that you always jump to the respective field with one keystroke and thus do not have to search for the setting option for a long time.
Does the TourBox now facilitate the workflow in Lightroom. For me definitely. Especially when viewing and sorting images, I am much faster with the TourBox. But also the editing of the photos goes faster, only when cropping, the handle goes to the mouse / trackpad. As a right-handed person, I position the device on the left and click through the pictures without much hand movement.
The size of the tour box fits perfectly for me in this regard. The surface is pleasant, although unfortunately somewhat susceptible to dust. With a good 400 grams and stoppers on the bottom, the device also does not slip around. The buttons and wheels are very solidly made. All of them give an audible click sound when pressed, whether you like that or not is of course a matter of opinion.
Is it worth buying the TourBox? Of course, the purchase is only worth it if you spend a certain amount of time editing images. But if you spend more than a few hours a month on image editing, you should take a look at this device. It definitely delivers what it promises.