SteelPad 5L
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When I finally got around to placing the pad on my desk and testing it out with a mouse, I was thoroughly impressed with its performance and feel. The top layer of plastic and cloth is a brand-new feel that you’ll have to get used to. Once you do, you will never want to go back. It feels as if your mouse is sliding on a firm pillow of sorts. You’d think that this fact would cause the SteelPad to lose accuracy, but it actually makes it easier to ‘feel’ where your mouse is. The middle layer of the pad is what makes it feel like a hard, thin pillow. This makes the pad sturdy and durable. It flexes a bit, but not to being too flimsy for comfort.

At $40, the price is steep, but worth it.


Emblazoned on the top layer of the SteelPad 5L is a sleek, blue tech-esque image of tubes and wires. Other images of sharp shapes and designs are present and add to the overall gaming influence shown while creating this pad. It looks awesome and will do nothing but add to the theme of your already dark yet colorful desktop setup. The package the pad comes in looks cool too, but that’s irrelevant. It’s shaped like a rectangle that has been pressed in at the side. All corners are curved. The sides of the pad allow you to see the innards of the pad and its five layers.

I used a mouse-ball mouse first on the SteelPad. The mouse-ball floated along on the pad without interruption and I barely noticed that it was using a ball at all, because the base of the mouse didn’t feel as if it was on the pad at all. This sensation is caused, once again, by the soft surface of the pad. Next came the optical mouse. This one worked just as well, if not better than the one will a ball. It moved without a sound and provided noticeably enhanced performance over my regular rectangular mouse pad of yester year. Of course this pad out performed my wooden desktop, too; which is what I usually play on.

The SteelPad 5L from Steel Series costs a total of EUR: 37.90 or USD: 39.95. This price may seem steep for a mouse pad, but to a gamer like myself, it is priceless. The mouse pad is the basis and foundation that all things computer are built upon. Since this is true, you are going to want a pad that will fill your every need and want. This pad accomplishes everything I can think of that a pad should do, and it does them well. I believe this should be on every gamer’s wish list.



Highs
Large surface area; five layers provide a sturdy and dense pad; rubber pieces add stability.

Lows
Unique feel requires getting use to; may be too large for some desks.

Final verdict
SteelPad 5L is a sure contender in the search for a near-perfect gaming mouse pad. It is large enough for any occasion, has a smooth, comfortable feel, and performs like a champion. If you have been looking for a pad, and have the money to spend, definite

97%

Nov 28, 2006

Review by Joshua Hyles.

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