Optical Mouse Pad


Recommended Posts

Hmm, optical mouse pads, I guess they could help make the pointer more accurate. But it would need to make of something non metalic/non glass. I guess just something really smooth would do the job, hard black smooth plastic would do the job.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, optical mice are designed to not use mousepads. Just keep using your desk.

If you have some turn of the century wooden desk complete with deep grooves then you may find you do NEED a mousepad (or some flat surface) for an optical mouse. Usually you don't but there are exceptions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought an Optical mouse pad from Bestbuy. Can't remember the brand but it advertise its pattern will enhance the tracking of the optical mouse. It work pretty well and not expensive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ok i was looking at ratzpadz and ****, just wondering how i could make one

i'll have to do some looking because i can't remember where i found it. it could be on here for all i know. but it was a link to a sight that made 'sticker' type mouse pad. like you buy the sized sheet of the surfrace you want, then make your own size base to stick it on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It doesn't matter all that much for common use what you put your mouse on as long as it flows well. Varnished/lacquered woods don't do well since they're stickier and whatnot.

I went from wood to a normal mousepad from Linksys (promotionial) and I loved the difference! It's amazing how a smooth surface helps your tracking. You're optical laser isn't more accurate but your mouse doesn't hang out on the inconsistencyin the wood.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

this is the sight i was referring to i *think* http://www.cshyde.com/Excess%20Inv%20Sale.htm

but ya, i don't think it matters a whole lot for normal use unless you have a desk that doesn't take too kindly to opticals

Edit:

For gaming and such, I've heard good things about nicer mousepads. Here is the thread where the developers of the mousepad were getting help and feedback from AnandTech users back when the pad was beta: AnandTech Thread

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, optical mice are designed to not use mousepads.? Just keep using your desk.

Ahem.. Maybe I should clarify what he said. Optical mice are designed to not need a mousepad on most surfaces>). The reason the ball-mice needed a pad was because some surfaces were too slick and didn't allow the ball to roll as it should.Optical mice> need certain surfaces to work also, as you know it won't work well with reflective/transparent surfaces or desks that are too glossy. And if you have imperfections or grooves in the desk your optical mouse could skip.

Also take note that if your surface is a glossy wood, or a rubber-top desk, or anything the mouse will not slide quick and easy with minimal effort on you may want to look into buying a pad. This is with any mouse, because of it's rubber 'feet', it will stick to some surfaces. That's why the bottom of mousepads have the same thing, to keep them from sliding. Which is the opposite of what we want our mouse to do, we want it to slide nicely. Also clean the feet every 1-2 days. If you let it get dirty for about a week then clean it you will notice a BIG difference in how it rolls.

My friend's desk will not allow his mouse to work at all, and it's not reflective or glossy, and has no grooves. It's just the type of material used. What my friend use to do was tape paper to his desk, about 2 or 3 sheets for a large mouse area. But now he has a nice big large black plastic mousepad. Works really well.

When choosing your mousepad make sure you don't choose anything reflective, transparent, emits it's own light, rubbery (old style mousepads), and most metals won't work well. And as to the 'black' rumor. It depends on the surface. My friend's mousepad is all black, and his mouse runs just as smooth as mine on my desk. No skips, really smooth.

Edited by krazie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can attest that using an optical mouse with no mouse pad also does a good job of wearing holes in crappy unfinished desktops, and can slowly damage even finished ones. I still don't use a pad though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

woohoo finally figured out how to make one, i took a binder like u put paper in or folders, cut the front of it off, and made my design, made the same design in plexi glass, glues the material to the glass and bam! works like a dream, alot better than this desk anyways

Link to comment
Share on other sites

woohoo finally figured out how to make one, i took a binder like u put paper in or folders, cut the front of it off, and made my design, made the same design in plexi glass, glues the material to the glass and bam! works like a dream, alot better than this desk anyways

of course plexiglass side goes down right? optical mice don't like transparent surfaces. and sorry, but plexiglass *is* transparent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your a gamer i'd recommend either one of the following if you are going to get a mouse pad for gaming:

-Func Surface 1030

-Steelpad 4D

You probably don't need a mouse pad if your just web browsing but you would definately notice the difference when using a stnadard desk compared to a high quality mousepad in a game. The mouse would glide faster.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your a gamer i'd recommend either one of the following if you are going to get a mouse pad for gaming:

-Func Surface 1030

-Steelpad 4D

You probably don't need a mouse pad if your just web browsing but you would definately notice the difference when using a stnadard desk compared to a high quality mousepad in a game. The mouse would glide faster.

HELL YES THE STEELBAD GO WITH THAT! :wub:heart:t: :wub:heart:t: heart <3

That's what my friend has, it's the best. My desk works just as good though, I got lucky.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also take note that if your surface is a glossy wood, or a rubber-top desk, or anything the mouse will not slide quick and easy with minimal effort on you may want to look into buying a pad.

True.....thanks for adding that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.