Mouse Mats for Laser mice

[destrekor]

I've seen a lot of contradictory reviews on various mouse mats/pads. Some say the mice glide and have perfect tracking, other people report jittery mouse movement and terrible tracking.
Some say certain models are great for laser mice, others say to avoid using laser mice on those models.

I am looking for a new mat to couple with my Razer Imperator (5600dpi max, usually play at 4000dpi on my current hard mat, 3000dpi when browsing).

I want speed and control. Hard or soft doesn't necessarily matter, but I am limited to the area the mat can be placed on.
Most importantly, if it's a larger mat, I must be able to lay part of the keyboard on the mat. Just constructed a keyboard tray and don't have a lot of room, and I don't want my keyboard to wobble.

I want to be able to glide around on the surface, stop exactly where I want to stop, and not have to use much effort to move the mouse (I am trying to limit movement to my elbow, not the wrist - more ergonomic that way, so I have read at least).

I've been looking at Xtrac pads, like the Hybrid (was fairly settled on the Ripper XXL (cut it down and it would cover my entire keyboard tray), but now hearing that's a fairly bad idea for FPS gaming with laser mice.

If I'm buying cloth, it needs to be fast, and preferably thin. I'd actually prefer cloth if it is indeed fast and offers accurate tracking.

 

[tenoc]

By coincidence, about the time you posted, Purolator delivered two pads to my door. Both are Razer Goliathus standard size (355x254x4), one Control (looser weave) and one Speed (very fine weave) version.
Testing both I found the best match for my 4000dpi Lachesis to be the Speed model. I'll probably use the other for my #2 system.
Got both to try since they are on sale at ncix for only 13cdn each!

These are also available smaller and huger sizes and more ornate (Fragged) editions. Check Razer's site for more detailed info on the size that suits your available mousing area.

On a regular cheapo pad the Lachesis was skipping and/or sticking, especially on vertical movements. Placed a piece of copier paper on top of the cheapo and found the mouse I paid for!

The Speed edition works A1+ for my needs and possibly yours, at very little cost.

 

[tenoc]

btw, u r welcome.

 

[Makaveli]

I just picked up the Razor Vespula and it works awesome with my G500.

 

[destrekor]

Guess I should update:
I bought the Zowie GT-F mat. This thing is niiiice.

 

[Modelworks]

diffuse surfaces work best. You want to illuminate the surface not reflect the light off it into the sensor. Those reflections take greater time to process and is what causes some optical mouse to not track. A surface that is flat, without highlights and with a lot of detail in the pattern printed will work best. Cloth covered mouse pads work really well because optical can track the weave pattern easily and the light doesn't reflect back.

 

[snewdle]

Any opinions on the Steel Series mouse pads/mats? I'd rather not spend $30 on one unless there is a significant difference between it and one that costs $10. If there is though, by all means convince me!