Intro:
I'll be looking at something a bit different today, a cloth
mouse pad. Yes, cloth. While I'm literally against cloth pads myself, for
obvious reasons, I think I found one that I like. It's the X-Trac standard pad.
While the pad is kind of small in comparison to a Ratpadz, or an Everglide
Giganta, some people may not want a huge mouse pad on their desk. In my instance
and testing, this pad was large enough to do it's job, as long as you have your
mouse speed turned up...If you have a cheap mouse that is...
The Package:
Mine came in an envelope delivered via USPS. I see the DO NOT
BEND actually worked this time, because in the last X-Trac review, the Post
Office managed to beat the heck out of the envelope and crease the mouse pad.
However, no problems this time. :) The mouse pad actually came in a Zip-Lock
bag, (not pictured) which is fine with me, I'd rather not have them waste a
colorful package if the price would go up. It undoubtedly would though...
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| (1) The package |
The Pad:
Measuring 8.75" wide x 7" deep and about an 1/8" thick, this
mouse pad is, well, quite cute actually. You can see a nice picture of it below,
and in picture 3, you can see the size compared to the X-Trac Pro HS. Notice the
same hexagonal seemingly random marks on both. Even if the mouse pad sucked, it
still looks good. However, that is not the case here.
 |
 |
| (2) Top of pad |
(3) Compared to X-Trac Pro HS |
 |
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| (4) Close up |
(5) Close up of
the logo |
Having small reflective speckles helps give the pad a unique
look, it also helps to give bearing to your optical mouse. You can see the
speckles better in the close up in picture 7. They aren't as obvious in the top
of the pad, most likely do to the cloth covering over the pad, but you can pick
one out here and there.
 |
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| (6) Bottom of pad |
(7) Close up (See the
speckles?) |
Use:
The pad is very smooth. No complaints here. While smooth may
not be the best thing for ball mice, but using one on this pad too, lead to
admirable results. I never noticed any stuttering or drag with either the
Crystal Optical Mouse below, or the upcoming review of the MouseCaster. Any ball
or optical mouse should work just fine on this pad.
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| (8) In use |
While I'm really against cloth mouse pads, this one is an
exception to the rule. Smooth tracking and accuracy of the mouse is evident when
using the X-Trac standard mouse pad. With its small size, you can roll it up,
throw it in your laptop bag or the likes, and be on your way. You can also find
out a bit more information, and things I didn't mention in this review about
this pad
here.
I'd like to thank
XTracPads for sending this pad for review,
and their continued website support. They'll be seen on this site for quite a
while, and also, it's obvious to me, that they do have some great mouse pads. I
personally prefer the X-Trac Pro HS, (Hard Surface) but some of you may not like
the size of it. Hmm, do I hear a plea to make a smaller Hard Surface mouse pad?
