Need suggestions for low friction, rough texture mouse pad

[Surly73]

Ever since I discovered low friction mousing and stopped using cloth pads, I still seem to be searching for the proper pad.  I feel that I like low friction, but rough texture.  I like some feedback from the texture to aid in control but like the mouse to float.

First, I tried a Rocketfish dual sided pad, which I suspect is simply a common pad rebranded.  It had surfaces on a thin plate of aluminum.  One side was "control" and one side "speed" (my preferred side).  The problem was that this design required stick on feet on both sides of the pad.  They started peeling, shifting, and getting in the way quickly so I returned it.

I picked up an open box Razer Destructor for half price and loved the characteristics, but after 6 months of modest use (I usually don't work at home and I'm not a hardcore gamer) it was worn enough that the glide was gone in the center of the pad but remained around the edges.

Then I got a Ratpadz XT.  This has the surface characteristics I like but seems to persistently curl - causing a hump in the middle and mice drag and scrape.  I can temporarily bend it out but it comes back in 15 minutes.  The manufacturer seems to just have the "bend it" approach to fixing the problem.  I'm getting tired of it.

I'm thinking I still want a hard pad to get the low friction property (unless there's some new magic cloth out there), but I'd like it to be thin enough that it has a solid rubber backing (like the Destructor or the average cloth pad) and won't start to make it's own shape.  On the other hand, I don't want something that will start to separate, fray or peel on the edges (the Razer never did, but it didn't last very long).

My typical mouse these days is a Razer Deathadder.

I have family staying in the US for the month of January and I can take advantage of the selection from places like amazon.com or newegg instead of just the more limited Canadian online retailers.  Based on other reading, I have a Func F30.R based pad on the way already.

What else should I be looking at?

[YiL]

What about the new Zalman AMP-1000 ?

[Surly73]

What about the new Zalman AMP-1000 ?

Similar idea as the Steelseries SX, right?  I'm not sure whether that will be low enough friction - I'd have to try something like that to see.  I find a lot of mouse pad vendors seem to interchange and misuse "texture", "glide" and "friction" and it's sometimes hard to figure out just what they're trying to say.  Some people consider "glide" a function of friction while others talk about it as if it represents smoothness.

I also briefly had an Icemat I-2.  It was interesting, but really noisy in my particular environment (glass top desk)  Noise from mouse skates on the I2 seemed to be amplified and you could hear mousing all over the main floor of my house - not cool).

From what I can see, neither newegg or amazon list the AMP-1000....  Hmmm

[YiL]

http://www.quietpc.com/us-en-usd/products/keyboard-mouse/amp1000

is this an option?

Gr.

[Surly73]

OK, thanks for the retail link.  I'll have to look for some reviews and see what people (other than the manufacturer) say about the friction level.

Between the Zalman and the Steelseries SX, assuming the surfaces are the same, I feel like I'd prefer the SX.  It's base is completely rubber coated as opposed to using feet - less likely to bend under the weight of your hand etc...  Of course the SX seems to be unobtanium right now too.

[1uckyNumb3r7]

The Xtracpads PRO HS I have been using seems to fit what you are looking for

http://www.xtracpads.com/products.php?prod_id=7§ion=2

[NewbieOneKenobi]

I remember making one of my older mice float by using a double layer of teflon sliders. The pad was a small, rough-textured circular-shaped souvenir from a Greek museum, completely random stuff. The mouse was relatively heavy due to being wireless and containing two AAA batteries. The resulting glide was very nice, different from the normal mouse on a cloth pad.

[vipjun]

I use 1 of my old text books from college.  i'm not sure what the backing is , maybe cloth or vinyl. i like that it is slightly raised above my desk.

[vipjun]

Actually it feels similar to a polyurethane cutting mat with bumps.  before that i've had mousepads that range from $5 - $40 thin, large , xtra large etc.. tbh the textbook works just as well and doesn't break apart / wear out like most mousepads do.

[TheProfosist]

C4 NGen http://tinyurl.com/2l4dmc

[FKSSR]

In reply to the OP, have you tried the Razer Scarab?  It is a hard mat that sounds like it has a slight rough, gritty texture.  It sounds appealing to me, but I don't want to spend the money to test it out, because I'm afraid it will feel uncomfortable to rest my wrist on (since I'm primarily a claw-grip gamer).  Also, it is a light color, so some sensors may have issues (such as the Spawn, from what I've read).  Deathadder should be fine, though.

I have a Func F30.R that I didn't like until I got my Deathadder Black Edition.  I think the Deathadder's shape causes me to move the mouse in a different way than with a G9 or RAT7.  Even though I still use a fingertip/claw grip, it's not as pronounced as with the G9, especially.  So, the hard mat feels fine, and the roughness helps give me a little more control.  I personally don't want to feel like my mouse is moving faster than my hand by gliding too easily.

I'm getting a Spawn and Corsair M60 in the mail tomorrow, though, so if I'm suspecting I'll prefer cloth for them due to their size and shape.  So, if I prefer those mice, my F30.R may go in the closet, again.

[Mikelittoris]

I used a orange/blue func mousepad for like 10 years together with a intellimouse 3.0, I just recently bought a new pad because the old func had some battle wounds that started to get disturbing. If the func you've ordered is anything like my old func you should be satisfied.

[FKSSR]

I used a orange/blue func mousepad for like 10 years together with a intellimouse 3.0, I just recently bought a new pad because the old func had some battle wounds that started to get disturbing. If the func you've ordered is anything like my old func you should be satisfied.

What are you using now, and do you like it more than the Func?  Just curious.

[eth0s]

I think you've already made the best choice with the fUnc F30.R, if your purpose is gaming that is.  A smaller mouse pad is better for gaming.  A bigger mouse pad just leads to bad mousing habits.  You shouldn't be moving your mouse all over the desk, you should learn to pick it up and put it back down.  Unless, of course you like to get fragged.  If, however, you like to be the one doing the fragging, then get the fUnc.  Too bad they don't make the fUnc 1030 anymore, because it was, IMO, the perfect size for gaming.  But it was "too small" for the nubs, I guess.

[Surly73]

Got my hands on my Func F30.R.

It's got good glide, but a little less texture than what was in my mind as "ideal".  It's like I can feel the skates still touching in the dips as well as the peaks and I have less feedback in my hand from texture to help with co-ordination.  I still like it though - this isn't a complaint.  I never did order an NGen.  I already had 2 or 3 mouse pads coming back with family from Florida without adding an NGen.  It's still on my list to try some day.

[Weapon]

I'm pretty sure the Hein Hard is exactly what your talking about, it glides like a hard mousepad and it has a gritty/rough layer on top.

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Depends on what you're willing to spend. I use a Razer DeathAdder like you and have recently bought an Artisan Hayate Soft M which I am very happy with. It's a bit pricey but it's very comfortable and doesn't hurt my wrist.