| RatPadz XT and GS Gaming Surface Mouse Pads |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Saturday, 21 July 2007 | |
RatpadzRatPadz was one of the early innovators to the mousing surface industry, with product releases dating back to 1999. Now, more than eight years later the market has seen a myriad of surfaces claiming everything imaginable, but the RatPadz GS and XT Mousing Surface continue to provide gamers and enthusiasts with a solid solution for fast and comfortable mousing surfaces. Benchmark Reviews investigates the RatPadz series, which makes no performance claims at all but seems to still deliver big results. The original Ratpadz surface was later renamed to the XT model. The XT uses a heavy duty solid construction that will stand up to all kinds of abuse. If you are a hardcore gamer or mouser, logging hours and hours with your mouse; the Ratpadz XT UltraSlick long-lasting surface is for you.
The GS model has been around for years, and while fulfilling a low-price niche in the performance mouse pad market it has remained true to its Ratpadz roots. A light weight hard plastic body delivers little resistance while providing solid accuracy and tracking. All nine points of contact on the back keep it grounded and securely anchored. The GS and the XT offer the same surface area, both 11.5” wide x 9.3” tall. The cut-out design of both the GS and XT allows users to also turn the surface sideways utilizing it on the left and right sides of the keyboard. 
Both the GS and XT are built with very tough polymers and can stand up to all sorts of gaming and LAN abuses. The XT is heavy duty and built for those that will use it for endless gaming hours. The GS is lightweight and great for travelers and LAN parties. About the company: RatPadzRatPadz is a specialty product line owned by KB Accessories, Inc., which operates out of Pittsburg, Texas. Kyle Bennett is the mastermind behind KB Accessories, and has created other popular industry ventures such as the [H]ardOCP and HUMMERCommunity web sites. RatPadz doesn't offer much history, since they are a rather silent operation which focuses on providing solid product and not just solid promotion. RatPadz certainly stands behind their product, and has offered special considerations for many customers who have experienced problems with their RatPadz GS and XT mousing surface. 
Features & SpecificationsThe UltraSlick polymer surface of the RatPadz GS and XT Mousing Surface measures 11.5” wide X 9.5” tall X .25” thick.
Closer Look: RatPadz XTIf you have never seen nor experienced a RatPadz mousing surface in person, you may be a little skeptical at first. The tiny raised bumps on the surface may make you question if it will allow your mouse to glide smoothly while gaming. Don't question it, because believe me when I tell you how your first experience will be a positive one. 
At first, the RatPadz XT Mousing Surface stands out as merely a thick piece of polymer plastic with a gritty surface. Well surprise, surprise, it is just a thick piece of polymer plastic with a gritty surface. But it just so happens that the UltraSlick surface is perfect for a long-lasting mousing environment. 
If RatPadz had a motto or slogan for their GS and XT Mousing Surfaces, it would probably be "Simple Design, Simple Performance". Unlike a smooth surface, which exposes the feet of the mouse to 100% contact and friction, the raised pebble-bumped surface is ideal for limiting friction and reducing contact surface. It all translate into a faster surface for serious mouse response. Additionally, the textured dark black surface is perfect for all three mouse technologies: roller-ball, optical, and laser. 
The underside of the RatPadz XT is textured, identical to the topside surface. Mr. Bennet is serious about his "made in America" ideology, and makes sure consumers are aware that this is home grown plastic. 
There are nine soft rubber feet on the underside of this mousing surface, which anchors the RatPadz XT to any table top. The heavy weight of the plastic is enough to keep the XT firmly in position all on it's own, but add the weight of a hand and mouse and the RatPadz XT becomes an immobile object in even the most intense mousing actions. Nobody likes to miss a head shot because the mouse pad moved on them.
Closer Look: RatPadz GSWhen you see the GS, it almost appears as the "lite" version of the XT. Without question the GS is designed for the same fast mouse response as the XT, since the two surfaces are virtually identical. However the GS is made for the travel-friendly crowd who make their name at LAN parties or game from a laptop. 
The Ratpadz GS uses a lighter plastic polymer than the XT version. It also seems to me that the RatPadz GS has a slightly less dense raised-pebble texture than the heavier XT mousing surface. The hollow underside makes a hollow sound under the mouse, which makes me believe it could be less durable. 
Unlike the RatPadz XT, the underside of the GS Mousing Surface is glossy (as if the flash reflection didn't give that away) and hollow. There are reinforcing grids across the underside, with eleven cups for rubber feet. Although placed in different locations, the GS makes use of nine rubber foot pads, which I found adequate for most situations. On rare occasion however, the RatPadz GS lost its grip and slid on the table top as my wrist raced across it. 
It is possible for a Ratpadz XT foot to get dislodged, but the nine feet on the back of a Ratpadz GS (and XT) will provide such a stable base that you will likely not know if you are missing a foot unless it is at a corner. In an emergency, you can easily move a foot from the middle to the edge. However, if this does not suit you, just drop RatPadz and email with your order number or receipt and they can get you a replacement. The feet on the Ratpadz GS are nearly impossible to dislodge, so this should not be an issue ever.
Final ThoughtsThe RatPadz GS was the first of many enthusiast market mousing surfaces I ever purchased. The RatPadz GS shown below was used for combined gaming and computing on an every-other-day basis for one year. The wear pattern begins to become visible where the raised pebble-bumps were worn down, but the glide of my Logitech G5 was not affected. Clearly, the RatPadz XT would have been the better investment for my desktop, but the GS proved itself very useful as I played BF2 and Company of Heroes. 
If you are a serious gamer or enthusiast who travels to LAN parties, the idea of taking a solid granite or marble slab with you is ridiculous. I hope that you do, because I always like a good laugh. There are a lot of mousing surfaces trying to win over your desk space, but the RatPadz XT is great at home (and also at the office), and the GS is perfect for gaming on the go. ConclusionRatPadz is mail order only, via online stores or direct from the RatPadz website. This creates a bit of a paradox for our presentation rating, since on one hand it is shipped in a standard USPS Priority Mail envelope. In the end, the RatPadz is probably not going to see retail shelves unless it receives a packaging update. This is a missed marketing opportunity for sure, but it also keeps the costs (and price) down for the rest of us. Black don't crack - at least that's the word on the streets. Unlike glass, marble, granite, or even cloth, this is the most indestructible mousing surface around. Black is also tied to aggressive psychological response, which who knows, it might even improve your gaming reaction time. RatPadz mentions the possibility for more colors, but I say keep it simple. The RatPadz XT probably stands for eXtra thick, and the solid plastic polymer construction make in the most rugged mousing surface around. On the other hand, the hollow GS (gaming surface) is still very durable, despite a very lightweight design. When it comes to the functionality, I prefer the solid foundation the XT provides. Even though the GS offers nearly the same experience, I personally prefer the XT; even if I'm traveling. Available direct from RatPadz, as well as several other online shops, there is no shortage of availability. The RatPadz XT is available for $24.99 shipped, and the lightweight GS costs $14.99 shipped, which places their prices right in-line with competitive products on the market. In conclusion, the RatPadz GS and XT Mousing Surface both offer excellent mousing surface solutions. My recommendation is to spend just a little more and purchase the XT, but both versions are very similar in performance. The rugged durability will prove more valuable than anything else, and the raised-pebble design offers far less friction than other surfaces. Pros:
+ Extremely fast low-friction mousing surface Cons:
- GS is not as anchored as the XT Combined Ratings:
Combined Final Score: 8.4 out of 10.Questions? Comments? Benchmark Reviews really wants your feedback. We invite you to leave your remarks in our Discussion Forum.
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