SteelSeries SteelPad 5L

(3 star rating)

With their new SteelPad 5L, SteelSeries has attempted to combine the best of both worlds with an innovative set of materials and construction approach for their new mouse pad. Among PC gamers there is usually a clear-cut divide when it comes to mouse pad preferences - you either have a die hard preference toward cloth mouse pads, or a die hard preference toward hard surface (plastic or metal) mouse pads. If you ask a gamer in either camp to try out a mouse pad from the other camp, you will get a snicker and a "No thanks" response at the minimum and more likely a "No f'ing way!" response. But what kind of response would you get if you asked a gamer to try out a new mouse pad made from both cloth AND plastic materials? I will try to answer that question as we take an in-depth look at the SteelPad 5L.

Design

The idea behind the SteelPad 5L is to combine the best features of cloth and plastic mouse pads into a "hybrid" mouse pad Proponents of plastic mouse pads will tell you that it provides a very smooth and durable surface that maintains a uniform consistency across the entire mouse pad Proponents of cloth mouse pads will say that it also provides a smoother and more consistent surface area with uniform consistency, with a much softer feel to the wrist.

To build a mouse pad combining the best of both surface types, Steel Series has utilized a 5-layer construction process to build the SteelPad 5L. Below is the detailed explanation about each of the 5 layers:

1. Plastic coating

Thin plastic coating ensures durability and maintains the texture of the underlying cloth material.

2. Cloth

A highly durable and extremely strong cloth material provides a smooth gliding experience. The texture of the plastic coated cloth surface allows for minimal mouse movements and maximum precision.

3. Soft polyisoprene

Specially treated soft polyisoprene provides softness to the touch. The softness of the rubber foam is very easy on the users' wrists, even for hardcore gamers and others who use their mouse for extended periods of time.

4. Hard plastic

A hard plastic compound maintains the stability and the shape of the mouse pad, and helps ensure a consistent gliding experience even on uneven surfaces.

5. Rubber elements

Small soft rubber elements ensures complete non-slippery steadiness.

The 5L is a hard mat and cannot be folded or rolled up like an ordinary cloth pad, and thus it is a bit more difficult to transport from one location to another. If you don t travel to LAN parties or otherwise move your PC and your mouse around, then this is no problem.

The size of the mouse pad is quite large at 15" x 11" (380mm x 280mm) and relatively low height of .15" (4mm). The size is well suited for gamers who appreciate using low-sensitivity settings, although the 5L will work with all laser, optical and ball mice at any sensitivity.

	Top view of the 5L	Closeup of the 5L graphic design