Steelpad 4S Mouse Pad Review
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Specifications (Height *
Width * Length)
Box: 10 1/8in * 11 1/2
* 1/4in
Aluminum Pad: 10 1/16 * 11 3/8
* .8/16
Rubber Pad: 9 15/16 * 11 3/16
* .8/16
Aluminum & Rubber Pad Height: 1.6/16in
Pad Surfers: 4 In
Testing
Test Setup:
Windows XP Professional Sp1
Intel P4 2.4 Ghz
512 Mb
nVidia GeForce 6800 GT
Antec 550w TruePower Power Supply
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy EX Platinum
Logitech MX700 Wireless Mouse (Cradle: 1 foot away,
PS2)
Microsoft Intellipoint Optical (Modified: Paintjob)
Generic Black Compaq ball mouse.
Generic White ball mouse.
The 2 Ball Mice worked well. They worked even better with the PadSurfer tape on
the feet.
The Intellipoint mouse worked well. Again, even better with the Padsurfer tape
on the feet. The MX700 Worked -- alright. Something was messed up between the cradle and
mouse on a few zones on the pad. However, the heavier-than-average mouse slid
wonderful with the Padsurfer tape on the bottom.
[What I am trying to point out: the Padsurfer tape really
does justice to the pad]
Tracing:
Started with the 'M' first, and went to 'H'. Tests were done in this order:
Padsurfers+4s (1), Padsurfers+Desk (2), NoPS+4S (3), NoPS+Desk (4). The next 4
Tests preformed with the Logitech MX700.
    
Dancing with Soda:
While playing Counter-Strike, I spilled soda on the left edge of the mouse.
Now being the penniless gamer I am, I decided to see if I can save $45 and save
this review from complete doom. I took a wet rag, washed the already sticky
substance from my pad. Next, I took a dried rag and quickly rubbed the wetness
and regained control of my new fangled mouse pad... ...and my Counter-Strike
kill ratio [with a -9 ratio]. I'm hoping when lLAN parties come around, I can
clean this puppy off and get my aim back.
Gaming:
Speaking of Counter-Strike. Does the game really perform better with the 4S
pad and the pad surfers? In one word... sometimes. The good news - Accuracy IS
improved with this, enough to bring this n00b with a positive 10 kill-wise. The
pad does have its one flaw, dead zones. What exactly are "dead zones", well for
this article- they represent an area on the mouse pad where the mouse can not
read from the pad. dead zones make the cursor go dead, until the mouse is moved
out of the area. My pad has one large zone on the middle-right, and one smaller
zone in left-middle. You can fix this, you'll need to bend it CAREFULLY on your
leg, or on a bed post.
Officially Known Issues
- "Does not work with Logitech Optical mice other than the MX Series" -
Steelpad.com
Unofficially Known Issues
- "Dead zones"
-- Solution: Move the mouse cradle right in front of the pad)
- A slight "Dip" on the non-logo side.
- A slight "hill" on the logo side.
Conclusion and Rating
Point 1: $45 dollars is a lot of hard earn cash for a mouse pad, however
a smooth, washable surface is heaven for LAN parties. I would not recommend this
to any body that uses the computer rarely. Gamers, multimedia will enjoy the
cursor accuracy... If they are willing to pay $45 dollars.
Point 2: Unfortunately the biggest and only complaint I have with the
Steelpad 4S is the strange inability to keep my Logitech MX700's mouse cradle
any distance away from the mouse and the pad. My cradle was 1 foot away from the
mouse, and at that short distance the mouse had dead spots. It could be from the
monitors, scanners and all the joys of electronic devices. But if that's the
case, it should not have worked flawlessly at a further distance from the MX700
mouse.
Point 3: The mouse pad noise doesn't bother me, truthfully. I use
headphones most of the time or I have loud music playing in the background.
Check out Xoxide.com's
full line of Mouse Pads, including the Steelpad 4S.
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Good
1.
Highly Accurate
2. Includes a rubbery no slip clone.
3. Washable
4. Very large surface area.
5. Pad Surfers included free
6. 4 Inches of Pad Surfer
(Enough for about 2 mice, 3 if stretched)
7. Very study. Sturdy enough to put on my lap for those no-roomed
LAN parties.
8. Mouse moves with less amount of force.
9. Best quality mouse pad I have ever touch.
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Bad
1.
Steep price. $44.99
2. Scratchy noise without Padsurfer (Less scratchy with Padsurfer
pieces)
3. Mouse Compatibility for older Logitech Optical mice.
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Ugly
1.
Dead Zones - Scrolling, Cursor, Mouse
buttons will not work on these spots.
Update: If the wireless point is moved right in
front of the pad and the mouse, the Dead-spots will no longer be there.
Although my point was only 1 foot more away than its spot on the desk
now, it made a LARGE difference in performance.
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Downloads
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