X-Trac Performance Mouse Pad Reviews - The Hybrid
I am a Counter-Strike: Source gamer and am a member of a Swedish clan who plays tournaments and ranked matches. To perform well you need more than high fps and in-game knowledge. Without proper gaming gear you won't be able to utilize your skill to it's maximum potential. I am always looking for new gaming gear to help me perform at my best. I got the pleasure of testing a a couple of widescreen mouse pads, and the Mouse Grips from our sponsor X-Trac Pads. Note: Throughout the review, I used my Logitech MX518 (optical) mouse.
X-Trac Hybrid Mousepad
The XTracPads Hybrid mouse pad may look like a regular cloth mouse pad, but in fact, is far from it. The surface is made from a combination of cloth and plastic, hence the name Hybrid. The main feature of this mouse pad is its size, which purposely targets gamers with low mouse sensitivity preferences. In addition, it suits widescreen gamers very well, as we have more screen space to cover.
I've seen my fair share of manufacturers trying to create a mouse pad like this and I must say that this is definitely the best I have come across in this area. I prefer using a widescreen mouse pad because I use a very low mouse sensitivity setting. For example, I don't even turn 360 degrees when I move my mouse from the left to the right on this baby so the Hybrid’s wideness is a must for me.
Along with my low sensitivity settings, I also do a lot of fast movements and the mouse pad responds excellent when doing this as well as doing very precise movements. After some intensive testing, I haven't noticed the mouse doing any "jumps" on the mouse pad. I play FPS games mostly, so the mouse pad’s height isn't that important to me, but I do think they could have added approximately 1/8" on to the height. XtracPads's Sure Grip rubber backing definetiely stops the mouse pad from moving around on the desk when moving your mouse. I have a low friction desk and the mouse pad never once changed position, no matter how much pressure I used on it when I moved the mouse across it.
Right now, I'm sitting with the Corepad Magna, QPad XXL and the Hybrid on the desk and when comparing them, the Hybrid comes out as the winner. It has the size I want when compared to the Magna and has greater response and precision when compared to the QPad XXL. Also, it doesn't wear out as fast as regular cloth mouse pads do.
I tried my Razer Copperhead (laser) on the Hybrid but they just wouldn't match up. Even though it responded with slow movements it was still not acceptable in the desktop. I move my mouse fast enough to notice it there too. I tried using the latest driver and firmware, but it didn't help. This was a real bummer to me, because I really like my Razor Copperhead but luckily, I'm still OK using my MX518 instead, on this excellent mouse pad. I know there are issues using laser on many of these kinds of pads. The laser mouse didn't work on my QPad XXL either, so I ended up using it on the Corepad Magna. Unfortunately, that pad is a bit too small for my taste. The X-Trac site does list it as compatible, but I couldn't get the pair to work properly.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Excellent precision and response. Smooth surface (even better with the included Mad Dotz). Works with both optical and laser mice. The size.
- Cons: Doesn't work with my Razor Copperhead. The edges get worn out pretty fast. Height is a bit low - I went out of bounds a couple of times.
Conclusions
The Hybrid is an excellent mousepad when it comes to optical mice. It simply kicks ass. The precision and response are excellent. Wide mousepads is a must for me and this is the best I have come across so i'm sticking with the Hybrid and my MX518. If you have a decent optical mouse the Hybrid will increase your precision. Some might think it is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for, a high quality mousepad.
X-Trac Performance Mouse Pad Reviews - The Mad Dotz
Mad Dotz are 1/2" wide pre-cut circles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape designed to reduce the friction caused by moving your mouse on your mouse pad. Mad Dotz are intended to decreased wear on your mouse feet, increase glide, and provide a faster mouse movement.
The Mad Dotz are really easy to apply (be sure to read the instructions on the website). Make sure you clean your mouse before you apply them, then add them one at a time. Make sure to press out all the air bubbles and then keep some pressure on the Mad Dotz for a couple of seconds after applying, to make sure they stick. The Mad Dotz serve two purposes. First, the main feature is to decreases the friction between the mouse and mouse pad, and secondly this makes the mouse pad last longer. The built-in skates on my MX518 are pretty much in the same shape as when I bought it, but still when I applied the Mad Dotz I noticed a decrease in friction that made the MX518 glide even better.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Improved glide. Reduces friction.
- Cons: May not be a huge improvement over high-end mice. Dotz roll up when you peel them off. You then have to unroll them to apply them.
Conclusions
It will be to individual's combination of "touch" and existing equipment if the Mad Dotz really makes a difference on your gear. If you have a new "high-end" mouse they won't perform any miracles but I noticed a slight decrease in friction between my MX518 and the Hybrid mousepad. If you have an a regular mouse I think they would provide noticeable improvements in your movements.
X-Trac Performance Mouse Pad Reviews - Ripper XXL
The Ripper XXL provides a HUGE mousing surface - 36"w x 18"h x 1/8" (914mm X 457mm). It is designed to provide a cushion for both your mouse and keyboard, and a silky smooth mousing surface. The XXL features a solid place surface, quiet operation, Sure Grip rubber backing, and is very flexible. The Ripper XXL came rolled up in a plastic bag in a cardboard box filled with peanuts
They certainly got the name right by adding XXL, because this thing is huge! The Ripper XXL is a cloth pad, but is a whole lot bigger than the normal ones we are used to seeing and using. I was really excited to try out the Ripper XXL, so I ripped open the package and went at it. I was in luck because it fit my desk without any hassle. The first thing I noticed was how well the Ripper XXL adhered to my low friction desk surface. It was impossible to move, without pulling up the pad’s edge in order to to lift and relocate it. I then tried putting my keyboard on the pad and it couldn't be moved either, which I liked because my keyboard tends to move all over the place while I am playing games.
Next came the time for my Logitech MX518 to have its debut on the pad. The first thing that I noticed, was a high level of friction, which requires you to use more force when moving your mouse, when compared to the force needed with the XTracPads Hybrid. I also noticed how silent the mouse glides over the pad. It is nowhere near the noise a regular mouse makes on a plastic or glass pad. To get a feel of the pad, I started with regular PC use. I fell in love with the large size right away. As I prefer to use a low mouse sensitivity setting, this is awesome. I really enjoyed using the Ripper XXL in the Windows desktop. I never went out of bounds and my keyboard stayed in the same place, where I put it, when I got a little rough. I noticed it had an adequate level of precision when I performed precision tests, but nothing extraordinary. I noticed that my arm I got a bit tired after awhile, which was caused by the pad’s higher friction surface, but after applying the XTracPads Mad Tape, it got somewhat smoother, but not as smooth as I had hoped for.
Now let’s see how well it performs during gaming. It was clear right away, that this wasn't a gaming mouse pad. While I was able to game with it, my response was slow and got even worse because of the pad’s high friction. I then tried my Razor Copperhead mouse on the Ripper XXL and it had the same performance as the optical MX518. I was pleased to see the Copperhead working with this pad, but it also had the same slow response time in games. I enjoyed using both my Copperhead and MX518 on the desktop and if it wasn't for my gaming urges, I would most certainly use this mouse pad for desktop applications. What I really do enjoy, is that it has such a really big size and also fits on my desk surface so well.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: HUGE mouse surface area, Silent movement, Good adhesion to desk surface
- Cons: Not for serious gaming, A bit too much mouse friction (at least for me)
Conclusions
Overall, I was pleased with the performance of this humongous mouse pad. Initially I didn't think it was going to compare well to other gamer pads, because of its size, and that turned out to be true - it didn't. The Ripper XXL is a really nice pad to use in the windows desktop and for applications, but it is definitely not for gaming. If it wasn't for my love of gaming, I would use the Ripper XXL.
X-Trac Performance Mouse Pad Reviews - Mouse Grips v2.0
These grips help a lot more than you think. I have been thinking about getting something like this for awhile now, because I tend to get palm sweat when I play my CS:S matches. But I never got any of these grips until now and now I can't believe that I didn't get them sooner.
They are really easy to apply. First you place your palm over your mouse to determine how you rest your palm on it. If the grips will fit your mouse, then you are good to go - just make sure you clean it with the included alcohol wipe. I have a MX518 and I got a bit too excited and impatient to try them, so I cleaned it and applied them right after I checked out how I rest my palm on the mouse. Due to my haste, I then realized I should have cut some of the pieces to make them fit better, so there's a heads up for you. Once they are applied there is only a little time until they really stick to the mouse and then you won’t be able to move them. The X-Trac Pad's instructions indicate that the grips will last for about 6 months.
My overall experience with the grips is really positive. You know how little friction the MX518 has to begin with, then after a while the mouse buttons becomes really slippery if your palm sweats. If your palms don't sweat, you will have a really solid grip on the mouse and it will not move in your hand. The Mouse Grips do a really good job, even when my palms sweat a lot while playing CS:S. With these grips, my hand and fingers do not move or slip as easy as they did before. These grips are great even if you aren't a gamer. I especially liked the Grips when not playing games, because the whole mouse seemed to respond better when it sticks to your palm.
Unfortunately, it is not that obvious to be able to figure out exactly where to put each of the Grip’s different shaped strips, as they are a little odd shaped and their exact position will depend on the shape of the mouse that you have and what style of grip you use. However, once you got it all figured out & have applied them, it is a whole new feeling and they are really easy to break in.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Solid grip, Can be applied to any mouse, Low profile
- Cons: After being applied, the mouse is less attractive
Conclusions
I really like these grips. It gives me a much more solid grip on my mouse and it is easier to do precision movements. If you have profuse palm sweat, they won't do any miracles, but will definitely be better than not having them.