Mouse pads can aid your performance when gaming but are often overlooked. Since optical mice have hit the market, many have stopped using mouse pads at all, others just use a simple piece of paper. The mouse pad we are reviewing today is the Xtreme Gaming Mat.
Features:
- 11" tall x 16" wide x 3mm thick
- Hard surface with lots of space
- Sure-grip backing provides hold on most surfaces and will not slip
- Works with optical mice as well as conventional ball mouse
The top of the pad is coated in hard plastic causing minimal friction between the mouse and the pad. Upon sliding the mouse across this mat, it behaved like a hockey puck sliding across a smooth layer of ice. The bottom of the mouse pad is coated in sure-grip backing so that the pad will grip the desk firmly while you are using your mouse.
The mouse pad has a modern and sophisticated appearance with contrasting black and white stripes leading towards the center, creating a tunnel-type illusion. An outline of an X can be found in the center and then Xtreme located in the bottom right hand corner. It's 11 inches tall and 16 inches wide giving you more than enough room to move your mouse around without it slipping off the pad.
To test the level of smoothness on the mouse pad surface, I performed tasks completed every day with a mouse. Some of the tasks included navigating through windows, checking e-mail, and gaming. Some of the games played were Unreal Tournament 2004 and Americas Army Special Forces. Through all of this testing I found the mouse (Microsoft Intellimouse 3.0A) tracking admirably on the gaming mat. There was barely any audible sound heard when the mouse slid across the mat.
If you are looking for a mouse surface for your computer, we recommend looking at the Xtreme Gaming Mat. It has a low price ($13.95 from Crazy PC), it is very quiet, there is plenty of room for your mouse, and it provides an effective tracking surface with minimal friction.
Pros:
- Low cost
- Hard surface
- Sure-grip backing
- Very smooth
- Effective tracking
Cons:
- Part of the hard surface was damaged (most likely caused during shipping)
