Date: January 11, 2006 - Author: Rob Williams - Editor: Matt Harris
Gamers don't want to put up with subpar equipment... they want the best. Seeing that high-end hardware can be extremely expensive, it's good to start with the modest mousepad! Today, we are taking a look at the Func sUrface 1030 mousepad, which looks to offer much more to the gamer than other pads on the market.
Ahh, the simple mouse pad. Many people think that mouse pads are a simple 'accessory', but are they really? I admit, I used to be one of the people who used to think that using your desk as a mouse pad would suffice. Heck, up until a few months ago when my friend built a new computer, he was using a 4 year old mouse pad that he received with his Compaq... and it was starting to bow! As any true gamer can tell you though, there is a huge difference between a generic mouse pad and that of one designed for gamers.
If you are the type of person who is simply not fussy about your mouse pad, then chances are you don't mind getting your ass kicked online either. People who spend extra dough on a good mouse pad do it for one reason, to own. It's not to 'spice' up the look of their desk, although a mouse pad in the shape of a doily may not be so bad. Func is a company that was established before the turn of the century who had a single goal, to cater to the gamer so that their 'game' improves.
Before I received the pad though, I already knew full well that it received many awards from other publications. Of course other people say it's great, but it's hard to know it for yourself unless you actually have it in your hands. Needless to say, I could not wait to tear open the package and test this baby out.
The contents come in a large, clear blister pack. It's see-thru of course, so that you can see exactly what you are getting. The package opens very easily, which is something I can't say about half of the other products on the market that require you grab scissors. After taking the contents out, you can see that they crammed a lot of product into a small package.
The mouse pad includes a metal case which is used to protect it during travel. I have to say that this is a great idea and should prove useful to anyone who regularly attends lan parties. Despite it being metal, it's not the sturdiest case out there though. The main thing is though, that it will get beat up instead of your mouse pad.
The inside of this case is lined with black felt... very classy. It's obvious that they care about your mouse pad as much as you do, so they take the extra steps to provide what you need to keep it in great condition.
As seen in the pictures, there is a hole for your finger at the bottom. This will allow you to lift the mouse and it's base out of the case. When you purchase the mouse pad, you will have two options of the base to choose from. There is the pure black "Suede-Feel Hard Plastic Base" which is the version in this review, or the "Machine Billet Aluminum", which is much more solid but will cost you an additional $15. Once you lift the base out, you will find a brochure, case badge and cord clip.
The clip should be elaborated on, because it can be quite useful. If you've ever blamed your losing streak on your mouse cord, then this is the solution. All it does is clip to the top of the pad, and will allow you to run your cord through it. There's a slot on the top of the pad for the clip, so there will be no worry about it becoming unstable. On the bottom of the base are some gel feet, which are guaranteed to keep the pad in place "even during the most intense gaming sessions".
Just like the Steelpad 4D we evaluated last year, this pad is two sided to better suit your playing style.
Since mouse pad specs are not exactly my strong point, I will let the official site do the talking:
There's not too much software out there to test out a mouse pad. This is fine, because without a doubt, the best way to test out a mouse pad is to simply use it. To do this, I decided to tear myself from my work to put in a few hard hours of gaming.
I fired up Unreal Tournament 2004 and played a few rounds offline and online. Once those few arduous hours were over, I sat straight up and forced myself to a few intense hours of Day of Defeat: Source. Of course I'd rather be working instead of gaming, but this is what we do for you guys.
Since I took a look at the Steelpad 4D last year, I haven't used anything since. It was a superb mouse pad also, and it certainly got a lot of use. One thing I really enjoyed about the 4D though, is the dual side. I am glad to have this feature once again on this mouse pad, and I am sure this will be the way of many mouse pads from now on.
Within the first few minutes of playing Unreal Tournament, I was impressed. The glide on this mouse pad is incredible; perfectly smooth. The feet on the bottom of my MX518 are getting to the point of their lives where they can be considered warn out. I've been using it for near a year, and it's had a lot of mileage. Even with these warn feet though, it had felt like I applied mouse tape to the bottom of them, even though I had not.
It wasn't until playing DoD: Source that I finally clued in about turning the pad over to use the other side. The first side tested was the textured one, while the opposite side is ultra smooth... perfect for balled mice. Even with my optical mouse though, I enjoyed using this side more than the textured side. Because of the ultra-smoothness of this side, you will get a far better glide than from using the textured side. Depending on how you play your games and how high you keep your in-game sensitivity, you will have to decide which side is better for you.
This review is somewhat unique, because I opened up the product and finished the review the same day. That doesn't happen too often, but sometimes the reviews just write themselves. As soon as I began using the sUrface1030 Archetype, I was impressed. I have never personally used the IceMat before, as Greg did last month, but this mouse pad is by far the best that I have ever used.
This is not only a great product, but a perfect product. Sure, this mouse pad is potentially the best in the world, but it also rolls in at a fantastic price as well. For the $25 price, you get a lot of mouse pad and a great carrying case. If you are in the market for a new mouse pad and don't want to func around, pick up this one. You will not be disappointed.
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