Intro:

    While I've been doing XTracPads reviews ever since their inception, I hadn't done one in a while. So with me coming back around to the table, XTrac has brought some new things to the table as well. First, this pad is called the "Hybrid" because its surface is a hybrid of cloth and a hard surface. Second, this is the first XTrac pad to have a retail package. Third, Mad Dotz, (Teflon Feet) are included with the pad. With that info out of the way, let's take a look at what 14 months of R&D has produced...


Press Release:

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—January 29 , 2005 -XTracPads, makers of the XTrac Ripper XL™, XTrac Ripper™, XTrac Micro™, XTrac Pro™, XTrac Pro HS™, XTrac Zoom™, XTrac HAMMER™, Mad Dotz™, Mad Wax™, and XTrac Eels™ will soon be releasing a new gamers mouse pad called the XTracPads Hybrid™.

"We're very happy that this new pad (Hybrid) is almost ready to be shipped. The Hybrid is a combination of a plastic top pad and a cloth surface pad. The reason we went this route is we know a lot of gamers like to attend LAN parties but don't like to carry a super rigid pad with them. So, we thought, "hey, why not provide the best of both worlds" give the gamer the super slick feel of our plastic top pads with the flexibility and durability of our cloth top pads. The Hybrid comes in a really great looking retail box that we think people will love. Around the middle of February, 2005, is when we expect to start shipping this beast so keep your eyes open for a super high tech mouse pad that we think you are sure to enjoy!"
- Marketing Dept. - XTracPads.com


Info/Features and Specs:

    The following is taken from here.

The XTracPads HYBRID™ is the result of a highly flexible cloth surface combined with the slickness of a plastic top mouse pad... on the SAME surface at the SAME time!

High performance, comfortable and great for high or low sensitivity mouse settings. Sure Grip rubber backing really "grips" most desktop surfaces. Flexible enough to be transported to LAN parties, work, friends houses or anywhere you want to take it. The XTracPads HYBRID also looks great sitting next to your keyboard.

Specifications;

  - 10" x 16" x 3/16" (254mm x 406mm x 4.77mm)
  - Sure Grip rubber backing
  - Hybrid mousing surface

The XTracPads HYBRID is 100% compatible with all high quality optical and laser mice.

The packaging:

    While nothing really fancy here , we do however, have a simple, but nicely designed cardboard box that holds this new mouse pad. The color scheme of black/white/and gray fits the overall theme to XTrac's products in general. Your darn tootin' this will stand out on "white" retail shelves too! Another thing worth mentioning is what is displayed on the end of the packaging by the bar code. It's made in...(Picture 2)

(1) The retail package	(2) Made you click it huh?

Includes:

    Included are instructions for care and use of the pad, and Mad Dotz with an alcohol pad to wipe your feet. (Mouse feet. Do the other at the door of course.) Which in short, are pre-cut pieces of Teflon tape to put over your existing, or maybe even your non-existing mouse feet. And let me tell you, these things cut drag! Installation is as easy as, "simply peel the Mad Dotz™ from their clear backing and place over your existing mouse feet." I won't go into anymore detail other than it is recommended to always use the Mad Dotz on this pad because of its Hybrid surface. (You could mar the surface.) The Mad Dotz should last months, given you don't let dust build up around them. Remember, you have spares, and Mad Dotz are sold separately as well.

(3) Includes...

The pad, then a closer look:

    As you can see, there is quite a large amount of available space for mouse. I personally prefer smaller pads, seeing that I don't game as much as I used to, and I think that anyone that needs that much space, may want to look at getting a more accurate mouse. You can if you wish, strike my previous ramblings, because some gamers and graphic artists swear by having a pad this large. Which is why this pad, and many other large mouse pads exist.

(4) Razer Viper on the Hybrid

    Moving from the bottom to the top of the pad is where we'll go next. The rubber backing on the bottom of the pad is most definitely some of the "clingier" rubber backings I have came across on pads of this stature. Any kind of weight will sufficiently hold this pad down for you. Unless of course, your desk is cluttered with junk, or you are using this pad in a sand box. In picture 6, you can see some of the smooth grain that exists on the top on the pad. The camera eye actually makes it look a lot more rough that it is in person. The pad is very smooth textured. (Which I'll repeat.)

    In picture 7, while this pad is undoubtedly cut from large sheets, some of the cuts aren't exactly accurate. I'm sure it has to do with the weaves of the hybrid surface of the pad, but I expected them to be cleaner. The example by the logo could also have been aggravated, or really even caused, when packaging. While not a deal breaker or anything, I thought I'd note it for you, since I would think eventually, the edges of your pad, with transportation and use, just may start to fray. It's merely cosmetic, and won't affect the way your pad works.

(5) Bottom	(6) Logo/Top of pad	(7) Top of pad/edges

Summary:

    Some of you folks will absolutely adore this pad. Some may go, "What the hell is that? A place mat?" Ok, ok, there is a trend for larger pads, and this is another one that fits into that category. I would also think that graphical artists, or Photoshop magicians, would love the extra space for very zoomed in work. While I can't say this mouse pad is for everyone, but rolling up your harder surfaced/hybrid pad, and stuffing it your bag should/will appeal to LAN gamers. As long as they have the space to put out the pad at their destination that is. Even if you use this on your main PC, and never plan to take it with you, keep in mind that rolling it up, with the top side out, (to prevent damage to the pad) is an option. Unlike any other harder surfaced/hybrid pads in existence, since there is no other.


Pros:

    • Mad Dotz included
    • Extremely smooth with Mad Dotz installed
    • Great tracking and accuracy
    • Large surface (You need a lot of room!)
    • Much better/smoother movement than just plain cloth
    • Can be rolled up and transported unlike stiff plastic pads
    • Reasonably priced for what this pad is
    • Internal product testing with XTac says that the Hybrid can be used with ball mice, as long as you use the Mad Dotz
    • A decal is included so you become 3733t  ;)


Cons:

    • Large surface (You need a lot of room!)
    • Edges could be cut a bit better, and may flare over time and use
    • Need to use Mad Dotz otherwise you run the risk of damaging your pad
 

"Another great addition to an awesome optical mouse manufacturer!"

Update/Outtake:

    I wanted to try and get a better picture of the surface of the pad. This one is 688x659, about 180kb, and jpeg compressed as to not lose any perceptible details. And once again, the surface is very smooth, and looks that way to the eye, not the camera eye. The swank included decal was stuck at the unopened end of the box that my review sample of Hybrid came in. So that is where the reference in the Pros section came from, and why it was not mentioned earlier. It's about 2 1/4" x 2 1/4". And that would be picture ot2 of course...

(ot1) Macro shot of pad with flash	(ot2) The decal with a dime. (I couldn't find a quarter)

Closing:

    I'd like to thank XTracPads.com for the review sample. Don't forget other than this pad, they have a whole line of optical pads of differing surfaces and sizes for YOUR needs. So check out the Resellers page for that. I hope you enjoyed the write up. Thanks for coming by. Until next time...
 

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