Razer eXactMat - review

[TAKTAK]

Intro:

So what is it?
Put simply, it is an oversized mouse mat, no more, no less, it is a mouse mat...
If you want something to cook your tea for you then look elsewhere

Features of the mat (extracted from the packaging):

Originally Posted by eXactMat Packaging

Dual Mousing Surfaces
Switch between the SPEED and CONTROL sides with ease to suit your high and low sensitivity gaming styles.

Ultra Large Surface
A large surface area allows better leverage on space for the execution of precise hand movements.

Anodized Aluminum Surface
An anodized aluminum surface ensures durability and better value for money.

Razers marketing spiel:

The dual-sided Razer eXactMat™ Precision Mouse Mat provides two distinct performance surfaces; SPEED for action/adventure and FPS games and high-sensitivity gamers; and CONTROL for RPG and RTS games and low-sensitivity gamers; on a non-slip, anti-reflective and abrasion-resistant anodized aluminum hard coat. Oversized and uniquely-shaped, the Razer eXactMat™ is specifically designed to support all opto-mechanical and optical mice for precise movements.

Obviously, there isn't much to say about a mouse mat so without further ado, the nitty gritty of it...

Surfaces:

As stated in the marketing blurb, the mat has 2 differently textured sides, dubbed "speed" and "control"

The "speed" side has a very smooth finish to the surface and allows you to dart around the mat easily with your choice of rodent, and thanks to the large size of the pad, there is plenty of room to dart to.

The "control" side has a much "bumpier" finish, which increases friction between the mouse and the pad, this makes it better for functions such as photo manipulation and playing as a sniper if you are unable to handle a smooth surface.

Personally, i use the "speed" side religiously, and never use the "control" side, the reason for this is simple, yes, "control" comes in handy if you are sniping people and aiming for head shots, but if you are trying to run around and get into position, then it is much easier to just use 1 surface than "faff" around in game flipping the pad over, and it is alot easier having the speed of turning that the "speed" side gives when franticly dashing around, this may have alot to do with the fact that i play practically all games as if they are Unreal tournament, fast paced and quick movement, meaning that i am constantly flicking movement around and checking behind to see if someone is trying to sneak up on me.

The difference between the 2 different surfaces can be seen here:

This is the "speed" surface:


This is the "control" surface:


As you can see, the surfaces are vastly different in terms of texture, another difference between the surfaces is travel noise, while unimportant to most, the "control" side is alot louder than the smooth side, for obvious reasons.

Features - functional and aesthetic:

The mouse mat has a few nice features some functional, and some purely for aesthetic reasons, such as an aluminium surround (which i presume is purely to improve the aesthetics of the surface) shown here:


This picture also shows the feet on the pad, which anchor the pad to your desk nicely due to their rubber nature, my only grievance is what happens when they inevitably fall off, but these fears were quickly quashed by a simple search of the internet, in which i found:

Originally Posted by http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/razerexactmat/3.htm

Update: Razer has told me that they will replace any feet if they ever come off your mouse pad. This must be covered under the 1-year warranty. They said after extensive testing they have found that they are very durable, so you shouldn't have any problems.

Personally, i think the usage of Razer's customary lucid green on the black backdrop of the mat works very well, and adds an aura of evil to the mat.




Structure:

As i said before, the mat is quite large, and at it's widest and tallest points measures ~33CM and ~25.5CM respectively, this means that in some circumstances, there just isn't room for such a surface.

The structural integrity of the surface is very good, the mat has enough flex to take abuse, but not too much as to ruin the whole feel of the board, it is nice and sturdy and physically trying to break the board is quite hard (resists full force bending and warping), meaning that the board should have a very long lifespan.

Real life comparison:
Obviously, at the end of the day it is just a mouse mat, and if you had asked me before using it whether the experience would be any better compared to your run of the mill surface, i would have point blank said, "it's a mouse mat, as long as you can move your mouse it works", but now, i don't think i could happily go back to a different surface (not least to being used to the size of this mat).
My previous surface was a sheet of brushed aluminium mounted on a foam sheet, and i thought that was a very good rodent companion, but it pales in comparison to this, it is hard to put into words why it is nicer to use, it just is... You have to try it to believe it.

Final thoughts:
Just for completeness, there needs to be a picture of the whole board, so here it is:


and one with a rodent on top:


Is it really worth the premium over Joe publics 99p jobbie?
Put simply, 100% Yes, it is much nicer to use than any standard mouse surface.

I also applaud Razer's use of minimal packaging, a simple snap shut plastic protector and 2 thin sheets of singular sided printed media detailing features, unfortunately, i'm not in the habit of keeping hold of packaging, so i don't have any pictures of the simple packaging, all i can say is well done Razer for not adorning your product with 5000 layers of blister packaging .

Pros
Size
Feel
Durability
Structurally sound
Stylish
Multiple sides, appealing to different users

Cons
None, apart from size in some circumstances

This is one product then earns my seal of approval, and i wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone, it is rigid enough to be used anywhere, and aesthetically pleasing enough to not gouge your eyes out when you look at it.

Overall, it is well made, well packaged, and does exactly what it says on the tin, so i award it with an exemplary and unheard of 9/10 Pandis

[roorooroo]

Thanks for the review Panda-man Very informative too..i have a s&s steel mouse mat from a few years back so wondering if this is any better. (I have a Sharkoon fireglider mouse btw).

[Jay]

I have had this mat for a while now and I love it.

[TAKTAK]

Originally Posted by roorooroo

Thanks for the review Panda-man Very informative too..i have a s&s steel mouse mat from a few years back so wondering if this is any better. (I have a Sharkoon fireglider mouse btw).

I've never used that mat so i couldn't really effectively comment...

All i can say is this works, and it works very well
It's changed my outlook of mousemats

What's the fireglider like? (i'm looking to upgrade, either to a deathadder or something along those lines )

[roorooroo]

Originally Posted by TAKTAK

I've never used that mat so i couldn't really effectively comment...

All i can say is this works, and it works very well
It's changed my outlook of mousemats

What's the fireglider like? (i'm looking to upgrade, either to a deathadder or something along those lines )

Hi Panda-man, the fireglider is a top mouse..highly recommended and i much prefer it to the razor copperhead i had before this. Very comfortable when gaming also.

[Singh400]

Definitely a good mouse mat. But the 'feet' are a huge problem. One on mine occassionally falls off, I just stick it back on of course. Doesn't stop it falling off again after 3-4 months though.

Think my next mat is going to be a cloth mat.

N.B. I prefer the 'control' side.

[kopite]

Does look a good mat.

i`ve been using a q-pad for a few years and prior to that I was using an icemat.

the icemat wasnt much good for long sessions as My hands tend to sweat when im using the mouse for a few hours and the glass surface would get manky.

The qpad has been great but it is huge think maybe even bigger than the exactmat.

One question though how much does it cost?

[TAKTAK]

Originally Posted by kopite

One question though how much does it cost?

£14.99

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/688248...t/Product.html

[DavieJG]

I thought a mouse was a mouse until i bought my deathadder.

Maybe my opinion of mouse mats is the next to go....

[collettnj]

I've had a Razer Pro Pad for a couple of years now - it has a similar shape and size to this one and also has a different surface on each side - it makes a world of difference with a good mouse.

[Namor]

Yes I have to agree, had my razer mat for ages its proberly the best, my feet have been ok tho.

[Jedziah]

I've also had this mat for a while. My friend bought that package with the included wrist rest. I have honestly had no ergonomic trouble with my wrists but I am sure that is a person to person difference.

In terms of feet, I have had one fall off too sadly. I used to stick it back on but ended up losing it when moving.

I have had a Logitech G5 which much preferred the speed side, it was erratic on the control side. I then tried a Microsoft Habu which preferred the scratchier control side and tended to wander a little on the speed side. I again believe it will be down to the user and mouse regarding which side is best for you. What is nice is that you have two very contrasting surfaces in one.

It is very well made and makes a massive difference. The one thing I will say is that it does have a habit of picking up a lot of dirt. Luckily, as it is very sturdy and sealed, you can just run a wet cloth over the mat and it looks good as new once dry.

Overall a very nice piece of kit. I have never tried the Steel Series contenders so comparisons would be very difficult to draw. Does it warrant the price over a cheap job? As the OP said, very much so.