| SteelSeries NP+ Rough Gaming Surface Mouse Pad |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |
| Written by Joey Peng | |
| Friday, 07 May 2010 | |
SteelSeries NP+ Gaming Surface Mouse Pad ReviewMost people buying mousepads expect it to be small and light, so when the SteelSeries NP+ came rolled up in a bundle at half a meter tall, it looked more like a doormat than anything. Today Benchmark Reviews analyses the SteelSeries NP+ rough surface gaming mouse pad to find out what kind of innovation was put into making this unique gigantic gaming mat.
The SteelSeries NP+ is made for users preferring an extremely rough and thick surfaces, coupled with its anti-gliding bottom, the NP+ allows for large scale hand (mouse) movements. The friction is especially strong for heavier mice or mice with plastic feet. How well the NP+ performs is still uncertain, but one thing is for sure: you will need a huge desk to accommodate the NP+. Gaming Surface FeaturesSteelSeries NP+ feature highlights:
The SteelSeries NP+ is created from high density compressed textile fibers, resulting in a unique rough glide and feeling of the surface. The compressed fibers add stain and water resistance making it easy to clean off most liquids. The rough glide and higher friction is unlike any other surface from SteelSeries and is specifically targeted for gamers with preferences for medium to rough glide. The SteelSeries NP+ features a specially designed non-slip rubber base which provides a firm grip and prevents the pad from sliding no matter what surface it's placed on. SteelSeries NP+ Specifications
About SteelSeries, DenmarkSteelSeries may be new to some people since it's a Europe-based company. Their size and product line is comparable to Razer. SteelSeries prides in high quality products. What originally began as a small two-person operation in Copenhagen back in 2001 has become a global leader in professional gaming products. SteelSeries recognized the need for superior, high-quality professional gaming gear that would give players a competitive edge.Fast-forward to today, and they've come a long way since their first glass mousepad. They have global offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing an integrated portfolio of products designed specifically for gaming.SteelSeries does not claim to invent or reinvent the gaming industry. Nor do they focus on one specific product, copy other companies or follow the crowd. SteelSeries lets the community decide whether or not they are worthy. Their goal is to make the best products possible and give gamers that competitive edge. SteelSeries does their best to support the growth of the professional gaming industry and give back to the gaming communities. Closer Look: SteelSeries NP+The SteelSeries NP+ comes rolled up nicely into a huge cylinder. Without reading the description no one would've guessed it's a mouse pad.
The back contains some information about SteelSeries and the NP+. Overall the packaging is decent but not reusable.
Right on the label we see that the NP+ was designed outright for professional gaming. The label outlines the key features for the NP+. Note that the dimensions are 45cm by 40cm, and almost half a centimeter thick. At that size the NP+ has a larger surface area than a 23" PC monitor.
Once out of the box, the NP+ reveals its uniqueness. It is heavy and thick, and triple the area of a standard mousepad. The NP+ happens to be just a tiny bit smaller than a doormat. Even without testing it's apparent that the rubber grip will work. The surface fiber material feels very nice, clearly capable of generating friction.
The SteelSeries NP+ happens to be one of those products that even without testing, seems capable of delivering excellent results. Continuing on we will be looking at specific details of the NP+. SteelSeries NP+ Detailed FeaturesInitial impressions of the SteelSeries NP+ were great, and now details will be analysed. The NP+ offers a huge uniform surface for gaming, all except the bottom-left corner. The logo is a coat of painted plastic on top of the fiber, so unfortunately that corner will be off limits to any mouse activity.
In their press statement SteelSeries stresses how incredible the fibers are, and point out that their high quality compressed fiber is liquid-resistant. Putting their claim to test, I poured some water on the NP+. Incredibly, it was not absorbed, and after rolling the beads of water around they condensed into spherical beads that looked like mini glass balls. Cleaing is one of the biggest problems with soft-surface mats, but the SteelSeries NP+ has no such problem.
Because the material is fiber and not clothe, cleaning and maintainence is relatively hassel free. A closer look at the surface reveals very fine and well aligned texture, which will make tracking much more accurate than a standard clothe-based mousepad.
On the opposite side the rubber employs an anti-gliding texture involving zigzags. Given how heavy the mousepad is, along with the downward pressure from using a mouse, the NP+ is truly anti-glide.
The NP+ consists of two distinct pieces fused together: the top part is a thin layer of compressed fiber and bottom is a layer thick anti-gliding rubber. All around the fuse seems to be done well.
The quality of the SteelSeries NP+ is outstanding, unfortunately it probably won't be appreciated by everyone as it targets a specific group of users that love overly large, high-resistant mousepads. I look forward towards a possible NP- that comes at a more standard size, or might as well an NP++ which can be used to cover the entire desk. Testing & ResultsTesting Methodology and SystemGames tested include:
I used the SteelSeries NP+ for 1 weeks as my primary mousepad for both work and entertainment. Gaming mice I used during the period include Microsoft SideWinder, Razer DiamondBack, Razer Orochi, and SteelSeries Kinzu. DPI settings are usually around 1600-2000.
ResultsFirst thing to note is that I personally prefer hard-surface mouse pads mainly due to less friction, though I have once been a loyal fan of soft-surface mousepads. Playing fast paced RTS and FPS games that require constant and rapid movement of mouse may prove tiring on a surface like the SteelSeries NP+. In order to counter this situation I increased the DPI/sensitivity settings on the mice. This results in less physical movement being required for moving the mouse a certain distance. Usually this would be way too sensitive on a hard-surface, but it felt fine on the NP+. Tracking is accurate and friction is strong. As long as the sensitivity is turned up higher, gaming experience is awsome. For photo/video editing work that requires accurate mouse movement, the SteelSeries NP+ is perfect. The NP+ is extremely large so your entire arm can rest on it. When using smaller sized mice, it was slightly annoying to feel the NP+ scrape against my fingers, but a larger mouse would keep your fingers off the mat. The anti-slip bottom also works very well, as it is pretty much impossible to shift the position of the NP+ mousepad unless it's lifted. Simply put the NP+ performs great and feels comfortable. If a smaller sized version of the NP+ is introduced, many more would be able to enjoy the high quality surface SteelSeries has to offer. Unfortunately the ridiculous size which makes it the golden for some also happens to make it sour for others. SteelSeries NP+ Final Thoughts
A mouse pad is like clothes, different people prefer different materials and textures. Many debate whether hard or soft gaming surfaces are better, in the end its all about comfort and personal preference.
In general, hard surfaces allow for finer and smaller bumps and has very little friction, together this leads to the feeling of higher sensitivity since it puts the control of the mouse completely in the hands of the user. This usually suits people with steady hands or when pin-point accuracy is not needed. Working with image or video editing may prove difficult on a hard surface unless the sensitivity of the mouse is turned very low. Soft (cloth-based) surfaces have a lot more friction and it will feel much easier to "stop" the mouse. As a result, short distance movement becomes a lot easier to control. There are numerous materials for both hard and soft gaming surfaces, each type can have a different texture and feel. Attempting to find the "perfect" mouse pad may prove very difficult. Short of purchasing a bunch of mouse pads, the best way to determine your preferences is by testing on a fine wooden surface and a piece of paper. If you prefer the wooden surface, you should probably take your chances with a smoothe surface mouse pad, and if paper go for rough surfaces. The SteelSeries NP+ is a soft, rough surfaced mousepad. This type of surface generates large amounts of friction for accurate control, and the textured surface allows fine tracking at high sensitivity. The NP+ is classified more as a mousepad for control.
SteelSeries NP+ ConclusionThe SteelSeries NP+ is truly a wonderful gaming surface and offers exceptional control. It does exactly what it claims to be able to do, including high grip and liquid resistance, all thanks to the magic of compressed fiber. The SteelSeries NP+ performs much better than standard clothe-based soft surfaces, and even at high sensitivities the mouse stays easy to control. While you won't feel the speed like on a hard gaming surfaces, the NP+ will give you all the accuracy you need for precision. The mat is heavy, coupled with the rubber bottom, it grips onto the desk and will never shift in position. The design may be a little dull, but in no way does it look bad. While some may be confused at what the NP+ is on first glance, the high quality look and feel will make sure they know it's a piece of high end equipment. The SteelSeries NP+ is constructed very well, the fusing together of the layers was done well and even the logo seems to be pasted on tight enough for some gentil cleaning. The surface and thickness is uniform and should offer a great tracking experience. Out of all the XXL gaming surfaces out there, the NP+ is one of the largest. There are a couple that come at even more ridculous sizes, up to a meter wide, but the NP+ is roughly the largest square-shaped mousepad, which makes more sense usability-wise. The SteelSeries NP+ is available for $24.99 at NewEgg, and that's a fairly reasonable price for a high quality XXL size gaming mat as the standard mouse pads tend to cost around $25. However the performance is excellent and given the limited options out there for XXL rough surface gaming mats, this just might be one of the best. Pros:
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Comments
Have you even tried to peel it off? It doesn't wear down... It's painted well and feels high quality.
"Looks a little plain"
......
Yes, because mice work best on PLAIN SURFACES!