Steelpad QcK Mousepad

(4.5 star rating)

Most people think that mousepads are a dime a dozen - if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. Steel Series has set out to squash that notion with their SteelPad QcK line of mousepads that are specially designed for hardcore gamers, graphics designers and other heavy duty mouse users. But just what is it that sets the SteelPad QcK apart from other competitors in the market? The answer lies in the attention to detail that Steel Series has used in building their top-of-the-line SteelPad line of mousepads.

Look and Feel
The QcK is a cloth-covered mousepad that features a specially designed rubber base that is used to keep the pad from sliding during gameplay. The rubber base is securely and evenly attached to a cloth covering so that the entire surface area is completely smooth. The entire pad is only 2mm thick, so there is almost no noticeable elevation of your mouse. As you rest your wrist on the surface, the resulting feel is soft and a bit spongy - quite a nice feeling if you are used to harder plastic mousepads.

The size of the mousepad is quite large at 12.6" x 11.2" , although not as large as some other gaming mousepads on the market. The size is well suited for gamers who appreciate using low-sensitivity settings. The black color and lack of any gaudy logo or graphics gives the QcK a clean, low-profile appearance.

	Top view of the QcK with the Logitech MX518	Side view showing the 2mm thickness

Performance
Running through a battery of testing with the QcK, I covered only a few of the games a typical gamer would play. I spent many hours playing Quake 4, F.E.A.R and RTCW: Enemy Territory but did not scratch the surface of the numerous other flight-sims, sports or RTS games available today. Suffice it to say, though, that the QcK passed the testing with flying colors.

Tracking using the QcK was as precise as I have seen with any other mousepad. Over the smooth cloth surface, flick-shots felt comfortable and natural. Even consistency across the entire mousing surface made for rock-solid movement in all games that were tested. From the first moment I set my Logitech MX518 down on it, the results have been outstanding.

Throughout the hours of testing, the comfort factor of the QcK became very apparent. Resting your wrist on a hard surface for hours at a time will irritate even the most hardcore gamer, but the soft cloth and rubber base make those long gaming sessions a breeze. Add the fact that there are no bumps or any extra material between the rubber and the cloth, no loose threads and no surface abrasions at all --- and you cannot help but be impressed.

I use an older wooden desk with a slightly fading veneer coating, and the rubber base of the QcK did a very nice job adhering to my desk. At no time during the testing did the mousepad slip from the spot where I had originally placed it.

My biggest complaint was the lack of a mouse cord clip or other device that I could use to secure my mouse cord. I had to fashion a make-shift replacement for the cord clip I was previously using with my Funcpad 1030. At the $15 price point, however, I wouldn't expect that a mouse cord holder would be included.

The Verdict
The SteelPad QcK is an excellent choice for any gamer, graphics designer or power user who appreciates a top quality mousepad.

Pros: Absolutely even and smooth surface, non-slip rubber base, very reasonable $15 price, low-profile design, easily portable.

Cons: No mouse cord clip or mouse cord weight, no warranty or support info included.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5