Mouse Pads

**Higs** · 04-22-11, 07:50 PM

In a side bar conversation on the servers today the topic of mouse pads was brought up and which were the best. I thought I would post up my homemade one that Ive been using and really like since its pretty cheap and fairly easy to make.

When I was initially looking at mouse pads I also started looking at how optical and laser mice work which is what lead me to the randomized high contrast textured design.
Its really simple. Its a piece of plexiglass with neoprene rubber glued to the back and is sprayed on the front first with multiple fine coatings of black bed liner (should be slightly rough but not abrasive) and then sprayed with a random pattern of white over the top. I used the textured bed liner to create small points on the surface of the pad so the mouse has little friction over it (like the ice on a curling rink). Since optical mice basically bounce light off the surface of at an angle and create distinct shadows and do this many times a second and compare the images to tell how far and fast the mouse moved, I decided that the textured surface should be combined with a random high contrast (white/black) pattern. I used a mesh with light misting of white spray paint and it seemed to work well.
Ive used this pad for quite a while and have no complaints other than its ugly.

Close up of the textured surface

Close up of the neoprene backing

**idunn** · 04-22-11, 10:20 PM

Mine is better

**Mr_Blonde_OPS** · 04-23-11, 01:52 AM

First off, I want my TPG mouse pad!!! Secondly, that is pretty cool Higs. Never heard of anyone making their own mouse pad. I think it looks pretty sweet. Start your own mouse pad company lol.

**baddie** · 04-23-11, 01:41 PM

Thanks for posting this!

**Madmax (Grape)** · 04-24-11, 03:34 AM

Using a Razer Goliathus Control Edition, Oversized. And I love it. Before this, I used my desk, but then I started wearing down the finish in an arc and knew I needed a mousepad. This pad has helped a lot, as now my movements are more consistent, because the tracking surface itself is more consistent.

**N-Ur-Face** · 04-24-11, 11:39 AM

Yeah, I've only had my desk for 4ish months and I've already got a spot from where I've worn it out at.

My dad had a HUGE mousepad that was amazing on his old desktop that he got for free from some guy. Said it was like a $100 mousepad. It got ripped in half in the move :/ I don't know much about it though.

**idunn** · 04-24-11, 12:47 PM

Mousepads are a pretty important key when it comes to precision, accuracy, and consistancy in fps games like cs, and where quick twitch reflexes come into play.

When I first started playing I used the desk surface which seemed to work fine. Then I upgraded to taping a piece of paper/cardboard to the desk and that worked even better. I eventually bought a $5 mousepad from walmart and I was amazed at what a difference it made. 10 years later, I now rock a $20 steelseries I-2 glasstop pad, and it kickes the shit out of the $5 walmart pad. Who'd a thunk it?

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**BigHub** · 04-24-11, 12:51 PM

I just use a cheap-o mousepad from WalMart, it has the gel wrist saver thingy on it... and man do I love it. I've had it for a couple of years now. I have to have something to rest my wrist on.

**flame** · 04-24-11, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by BigHub

I just use a cheap-o mousepad from WalMart, it has the gel wrist saver thingy on it... and man do I love it. I've had it for a couple of years now. I have to have something to rest my wrist on.

Thats what I used up until last night. Except last time I moved I couldnt find the gel wrist rest, Kinda sucked without it so I found a new one that is quite large and has a speed side and a control side. They both move very fast, actually lowered my sensitivity just a click.