On average I suspect that most of us don't really give a lot of thought to our mouse pad purchases. We put all of our time, and money into the more important decisions concerning our computer components. To be honest most of my mouse pad purchases have been the ones you see at the checkout with the store logo emblazoned on it. I mean I have never spent more than a few dollars on them. My most recent mouse pad has been the pull out extension on my keyboard drawer. So for me to test a mouse pad the only place to go is up, or is it? Enter the SteelSeries SteelPad 5L .
Features & Specifications:
Combines the strength of plastic with the softness of cloth
Suitable for all mouse sensitivities
Compatible with optical, laser and ball mice
Dimensions 380 x 280 mm (14,9 x 11 in)
The surface of the SteelPad 5L is highly durable and offers consistent and precise mouse control.
5 Layers to the SteelPad -
The first layer consists of plastic coating on a cloth material, utilizing the strength and durability of plastic and the feel of quality cloth. The middle layer is composed of specially designed soft rubber foam to provide the feeling of softness. The bottom layers provide stability, as a highly durable plastic layer guarantees the shape of the pad, followed by small soft rubber elements offering complete non-slip steadiness.
Detailed information about the 5 layers:
Plastic coating - Thin plastic coating ensures durability and maintains the texture of the underlying cloth material.
Cloth - A highly durable and extremely strong cloth material provides a smooth gliding experience. The texture of the plastic coated cloth surface allows for minimal mouse movements and maximum precision.
Soft poly isoprene - Specially treated soft poly isoprene provides softness to the touch. The softness of the rubber foam is very easy on the users' wrists, even for hardcore gamers and others who use their mouse for extended periods of time.
Hard plastic - A hard plastic compound maintains the stability and the shape of the mouse pad, and helps ensure a consistent gliding experience even on uneven surfaces.
Rubber elements - Small soft rubber elements ensures complete non-slippery steadiness.
A snippet of information from the SteelSeries site about the 5L:
"A unique mouse pad featuring the durability and stability of a hard plastic, as well as the softness and smoothness of a cloth mouse pad. The SteelPad 5L is composed of five different layers, each layer contributing to the overall precision and feel of the pad."
Package Check & Once Over:
DHL brought the SteelPad to me in great shape, all the way from Denmark. Which is amazing that the paper was not torn or marked in any way. And yes you read right, paper! The packaging on the pad was the most lightly packed review item I have gotten thus far. It had an outer wrap of paper, with a thin piece of Corrugated Cardboard, and then the plastic clamshell for the mouse pad itself.
Immediately once the paper was removed I could see the blue-green pattern on the SteelPad5L. It reminded me of an under water scene from an IMAX film I had been to at the Nature and Science Museum. Just calming to look at, but very futuristic looking at the same time.
