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Written by [t0rc]
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A mouse pad is one of the most important external components on a
gamer's rig. While it may not be the most expensive or glamourous, a
bad mouse pad can be the difference between a 50-6 (kills-deaths) ratio
and a 50-26 ratio. If you constantly run off the mouse pad, the surface
bunches up or it's not a smooth surface, your bragging rights can
become nonexistent. Steelpad has sent us their newest, huge, cloth QcK+
mouse pad. Check out the review and see if this 17.7" x 15.7" can
perform.
| Product: | Steelpad QcK+ |  | | Manufacturer: | Steelpad | | MSRP: | $19.95 USD | | Where to Buy: | Steelpad | | Submitting Company: | Steelpad | | Features: | - XXL sized cloth mouse pad - your mouse will never slip off!
- ideal for low sensitivity mouse settings
- compatible with all mice
- specially designed non-slip rubber base
- 450mm x 400mm / 17,7in x 15,7in
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A quote from Steelpad on the QcK+: "The
QcK+ provides a large gaming surface, so you never run out of mouse pad
when tracking opponents and a unique new smooth surface, that ensures
maximum precision when aiming."
*Specifications and quote found at the Steelpad products page.
The Steelpad QcK+ arrives in a brown wrapped box, an elongated relative
of Mr. Brown Box, via DHL. Of course the cloth mouse pad wasn't damaged
at all, as it would have to be severely beaten with a sharp object
during transport to acquire damage. Inside the wrapping is the retail
marketing box blue and displaying some of the features of this gigantic
mouse pad.
The mouse pad is rolled up on the inside of the box. When I got the
box, a thought came to mind, "what a waste of packaging, there's no way
the mouse pad is going to be that big." Once opening the box I was
immediately proven wrong. This 17.7" x 15.7" mouse pad is one of the
largest out there today. As mentioned, the mouse pad was rolled up but
once unraveled and set on a desk it immediately flattened properly and
doesn't curl to its previous shape.
The cloth is extremely durable, withstanding accidentals from
fingernails, pencils and pens, it takes a sharper object or a pen with
damaging intent to get the cloth surface to blemish and rip. While it
withstands abuse from objects, as with most cloth mouse pads, keep the
condiments away from it. Getting food stains and drinks off of it can
cause some problems. There's a small (relative to the mouse pad, not
your mouse) QcK Steel logo in the bottom left corner. The underside of
the mouse pad is rubber which keeps it from slipping around.
A mouse pad is one of the most essential external components to a
gaming rig which is often overlooked, leading to the demise of many a
good UT2K4 and CS player. Through hours of gaming in CS (Source and
CZ), Half-Life², UT2K4, and others, the QcK+ was immaculate; after
throwing office tasks, 3D rendering, and some graphic design at the
mouse pad with both optical mice and ball mice, the QcK+ performs
exactly like it did with gaming: perfect. The surface never bunched up,
ran off the mouse pad, or had any stick to it to restrain to the mouse
therefore when "L33t_fr4gg3r killed you." came knocking, it was purely
user error.
For a better visual comparison, I placed a "normal" sized mouse pad
from Immersion on the QcK+ and you can see that the QcK+ is nearly four
times as large as the "normal".
Overall, the Steelpad QcK+ is an excellent mouse pad for both optical
and ball mice. The sheer size of the mouse pad could be an issue when
space is a problem, like at a LAN party (then again, you could just
whip out some scissors). Of course, if you still want the QcK+ style
and cloth, but not the size, I suggest taking a look at its smaller
cousin, the Steelpad QcK which measures 12.6" x 11.2" ($14.95 USD). The
price ($19.95 USD) is good and the shipping is quick (from Denmark).
Cleaning is somewhat of another issue (with food and drink), since it
is a cloth mouse pad. In short, the Steelpad QcK+ is a huge cloth
gaming pad with great performance; just don't get food or drink on it
and you'll be gaming away happily. The Steelpad QcK+ receives a 90%
rating and a Gold Award for its great performance and price.
| Pros: | Cons: | - Durable cloth
- Oversized
- Cheap ($19.95 USD)
- Good look
- No slip underside
| - Cloth is hard to clean
- Size could be annoying when space is limited
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