High Quality Mouse Pads?

[Alphanos]

I had been going to get a Ratpadz GS, but just read somewhere else that they wear out very quickly (ie. in a month). Does anybody here have a recommendation for a high-quality mouse pad? I'll be using an MX700 on it, and would like it to last for a long time (hopefully at least a couple of years).

Additionally, does anyone have specific experience with Everglide mouse pads? One of the online stores I'm ordering from carries them.

 

[DurocShark]

Ya know, I still use 3m Precise Mousing Surface pads. With the teflon tape on the feet, they're great and have been durable so far.

Though my regular home machine has a nice black leather pad.

 

[dmw16]

how much does a "high quality" mouse pad help? I have been using a free mouse pad that I got from an AMD rep for about a year now and it works fine.
-doug

 

[IQJUMPuw]

FuNc pad. It's called Func Surface 1030. It's the BEST mousepad out there. Trust me. People who switched from Ratpadz to fuNc pad will tell you it's a much much better mousepad. Take my word for it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=202&manufactory=1676&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

 

[tbooth]

I use a fUnc 1030 with my MX700 and i love it. Has 2 sides to choose from (smooth, slightly textured). Its a little more expensive than the Ratpadz GS, but i've been using it for about 6 months and notice no wear.

fUnc 1030

 

[lchyi]

Yes I would like to know what a "nice" mouse pad would do for your MX700 optical?

 

[IQJUMPuw]

Originally posted by: lchyi
Yes I would like to know what a "nice" mouse pad would do for your MX700 optical?

LOL

You'll never know until you try it out.

 

[Davegod]

fUnc 1030
ratpad
3m precise
everglide attack/giganta
steelpad
icemat

I used to have a Ratpad and wouldnt go back, i really wouldnt say it only lasts a month, but it does lose its shiny, smooth surface after a couple. Another thing it does is scratch and wear down the mouse feet. At the time i thought it was well worth it, waaaay better than a cheapo foam + material/plastic job for gaming. weird thing for a mousepad though, its noisy, and can get annoying when doing a lot of mousework unless you have headphones on.

But i replaced it with a func Its much thinner so is more comfy for the wrist, there are two sides to it - one rough one smooth. the smooth side is better for accuracy, the rougher side better for speed - both sides are smoother than the ratpad though. It hardly seems to have worn at all, and scratches the mouse feet far less - very occasionally you can sort this by turning the pad over for a while so the new surface can smoothen out the scratches . The func also comes with a little cord-holder which at first looks a bit cheap, but it doesnt take long before you wonder why other mousemats dont have the tiny metal clip that is so functional. i wish they'd ditch the expensive packaging (yes, go to a lan and people with normal pads will stare at you if you take your pad in this packaging, and will think "what a pretentious pro gamer wannabie" if you dont own everyone in a convincing way- which tbf the pad actually will help you to do) and just make the thing cheaper though.

didnt try either mat with the "skatez" though, all the pads are obscenely priced (especially the func) without paying a fiver for a couple of inches of teflon sticky tape - most people who have had them seem quite impressed though. theres a peice on dans data about mouse wax, i'd never put this anywhere near the func - the grain is too small - but would try it on the ratpad.

i moderate a uk fps gaming site, the topic comes up a lot. func wins pretty easy every time, with honerable mention to the 3m precise because while not many have tried it, those that have all seem to really like it. If you play a lot of FPS games, go for the ratpad. if you want a quality pad for fairly cheap, try a ratpad or everglide. 3M another possibility for either since its meant to be excellent, and reasonable cost but doesnt last long.

 

[onelin]

A good mousepad is a comfort thing, and a tracking thing. Even with an optical, you want nice movement those cheapo scuba and laminated (?) pads just don't produce. For the years a nice mousepad will last, the comfort of using your PC is well worth it It's just something you have to try for yourself.

I use the fUnc pad myself and it's great. I would also recommend everglide pads.

I've used the 3M pads, and the main complaint is they wear out in a matter of months.

 

[bub]

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Listen, the RatPadz GS doesn't wear out in a month. I've had mine for about 4 or 5 months now, and no wear at all. You know, if I ever buy another mouse pad, this is it. I use an optical mouse with it.

I believe the wearing out problem was with the origional RatPadz, but with the GS, you're in good hands. I would reccomend it over the func, 3m, and the steel one. Those are the three I've tried atleast. The mouse pratically glides over the pad, hehe, the next thing would be like air hockey, with the holes pcking out of the mosue pad blowing air.

 

[igowerf]

I've had my Ratpad for a few years now and it still works great. It's big.

 

[freebee]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Listen, the RatPadz GS doesn't wear out in a month. I've had mine for about 4 or 5 months now, and no wear at all. You know, if I ever buy another mouse pad, this is it. I use an optical mouse with it.

I believe the wearing out problem was with the origional RatPadz, but with the GS, you're in good hands. I would reccomend it over the func, 3m, and the steel one. Those are the three I've tried atleast. The mouse pratically glides over the pad, hehe, the next thing would be like air hockey, with the holes pcking out of the mosue pad blowing air.

Second that on the durability. My ratpadz gs is still the same after a coupla months, no wear or change in surface texture. The feet on my mouse are fine. As far as improving the mousing experience, its smoother but my counterstriking is based on skills, not mouse pad material. Players that say otherwise, 90% of it is psychological.

 

[randumb]

I have a crap pad . My friend has had a ratz pad with an mx500 for about half an year and is very pleased with it.

 

[bub]

Sorry about dbl post!

I use a MS Intellimouse Optical and a Ratpadz. This is a fine mouse for Counter-Strike, but its feet will difinitely wear the Ratpadz smooth.

Fortunately, I ran across this article about teflon tape: http://www.geekshelter.com/view.php?section=reviews&idnum=81&page=1

Go here and buy a lifetime supply (48 feet) for $1.49 + $5.00 frt: http://www.sciencekit.com/Products/Display.cfm?CategoryID=322841

It solved my wear problems AND it's smoooooooth! This tape is thin. I had to replace the tape on the bottom feet after a couple weeks of hard use, but who cares. I got enough for the next 99 years.

I have not tried other gaming pads. Some may be better than the Ratpadz. But I'm guessing they cost more than $10. And if they're made of plastic instead of metal or glass, they're going to wear smooth also. I bought 2 new Ratpads, but after I got this tape, I just use my old one.

So, for me, a $10 Ratpadz with $6.50 worth of teflon tape and I'm Good to Go!

 

[pelikan]

I always thought my optical mouse on a free cloth-covered rubber mousepad was the best, and I would never actually pay for a mousepad. How good could an expensive mousepad be?
Well, I just bought a used ratpad and it is so much better I can't even believe it. I play a lot of UT2003 and I like the way the mouse moves so easily on the surface of the ratpad. It's super accurate too. Someone here at Anandtech, I forget who, told me to get a ratpad and I'd be in a different world of mousing. He was right!

 

[beatle]

I'm still a cloth over rubber fan. The hard surfaces are too slippery for my tastes. At work we have these thin cloth over rubber pads which are even nicer since the profile is lower.

 

[Cat]

The MX* line of mice do not track well on 3M's Precise Mousing Surfaces. This comes from experience with the newer PMS versions though. They seem to be a little translucent and harder, whereas the ones I used from '98-'01 were not translucent at all, had a black bottom, and were more flexible.

 

[erikistired]

i've had my ratpadz for about a year now, and it's not showing any signs of wear at all, even using an MS optical mouse. the thing is huge. it rocks. get one.

 

[Mitzi]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
I believe the wearing out problem was with the origional RatPadz, but with the GS, you're in good hands.

I've got an original RatPadz, had it fo about 12 months and its still perfect - it certainly hasn't worn out. My only complaint is the edges being cut plastic can be pretty sharp on the wrist, a quick rub down with sandpaper sorted that out though.

 

[Falcon2k]

Im using a Fellowes mousepad and ive been using it for a year. Its that one with the plastic base which has holes for the mousepad and a gel wristpad. The mousepad is solid colour (grey). This hasnt shown any visible signs of wear and the gel wristpad isnt sagging. Very nice mousepad, been using it with a MX500 (basically your MX700 with a cord) and it works beautifully.

What you want to look in a mousepad is a high quality gel wristpad. Generally, i prefer ones covered in fabric instead of that damn sticky plastic. Then you want a solid colour mousepad, preferably with a cloth surface with visible texture (improves the tracking IMO on optical mice though i dont really know if it makes a difference). A mousepad with a picture on it makes optical mice do funky things on the desktop that you dont want it to do.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: bub
Sorry about dbl post!

I use a MS Intellimouse Optical and a Ratpadz. This is a fine mouse for Counter-Strike, but its feet will difinitely wear the Ratpadz smooth.

Fortunately, I ran across this article about teflon tape: http://www.geekshelter.com/view.php?section=reviews&idnum=81&page=1

Go here and buy a lifetime supply (48 feet) for $1.49 + $5.00 frt: http://www.sciencekit.com/Products/Display.cfm?CategoryID=322841

It solved my wear problems AND it's smoooooooth! This tape is thin. I had to replace the tape on the bottom feet after a couple weeks of hard use, but who cares. I got enough for the next 99 years.

I have not tried other gaming pads. Some may be better than the Ratpadz. But I'm guessing they cost more than $10. And if they're made of plastic instead of metal or glass, they're going to wear smooth also. I bought 2 new Ratpads, but after I got this tape, I just use my old one.

So, for me, a $10 Ratpadz with $6.50 worth of teflon tape and I'm Good to Go!

Thanks for the link for the teflon tape. I just ordered a roll.

 

[Davegod]

$2 for the roll? i knew the skatez were a ripoff. nice link - anyone seen similar in UK?

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: bub
Sorry about dbl post!

I use a MS Intellimouse Optical and a Ratpadz. This is a fine mouse for Counter-Strike, but its feet will difinitely wear the Ratpadz smooth.

Fortunately, I ran across this article about teflon tape: http://www.geekshelter.com/view.php?section=reviews&idnum=81&page=1

Go here and buy a lifetime supply (48 feet) for $1.49 + $5.00 frt: http://www.sciencekit.com/Products/Display.cfm?CategoryID=322841

It solved my wear problems AND it's smoooooooth! This tape is thin. I had to replace the tape on the bottom feet after a couple weeks of hard use, but who cares. I got enough for the next 99 years.

I have not tried other gaming pads. Some may be better than the Ratpadz. But I'm guessing they cost more than $10. And if they're made of plastic instead of metal or glass, they're going to wear smooth also. I bought 2 new Ratpads, but after I got this tape, I just use my old one.

So, for me, a $10 Ratpadz with $6.50 worth of teflon tape and I'm Good to Go!

ok, that teflon tape link deserves a bump, thats beyond hot. everglide and other places sell a few inches for a couple dollars, they make massive profit! i've been looking for this teflon tape for a while keep finding the non adhesive plumbers junk though thanks!

now i gotta decide on a new pad, the func seems interesting. i had an everglide before.

i tried the handstands from frys, transparent pads for a few bucks, they seriously suck. tackier then my desk.

 

[BaboonGuy]

fUnc 1030. end of story