SteelSeries QcK+ Monster Pad

Product: SteelSeries QcK+ Mousepad
Provided By: SteelSeries
Price: $22.95CND @ MemoryExpress.com

Introduction:

Ever since the creation of the mouse by Xerox, mouse pads have been required to keep that additional control so that computers users can do their various tasks. For years, the traditional Radio Shack mouse pad has served well for basic users.  In this new era of computer gaming and mouse technology, we are finding that such small and basic mouse pads are pretty much gone the way of the Dodo bird.  Gamers amongst all users demand performance, style, and size when it comes to mouse pads. Who else other than Steel, a company from Denmark, has been able to give us excellence and quality for our gaming pleasure? Does their QcK+ perform as well as their other products like the 4D?

QcK+ Box

First Look and Impressions:

The QcK+ comes in a well marketed box that displays the product, and specifications. Inside you will find that the mouse pad comes neatly rolled, not flattened.  This is to reduce damage to the mouse pad as any folds or kinks will cause performance problems with the mouse.  Once the product has been removed the packaging, I was floored at how massive this mouse pad really is. 45 cm (17.4”) wide by 40 cm (15.7”) tall? I can see the average Counter-Strike being impressed with this size of a mouse pad as long and precise movements are demanded by those kinds of players.  Let me say that you will need a very large surface or desk to fit this mouse pad as it does consume quite a bit of space.

QcK+ Box Specs

Comparision to the Steelpad 4D:

When comparing the Steelpad QcK+ to the 4D, you can see that the little 4D is just dwarfed by the size of the QcK+.  Another thing that you will notice is that the 4D is a hard surface mouse pad, while the QcK+ is made from cloth.  Some users will swear that a hard surface is better than cloth or vice-versa, but I am more toward to the cloth surface. Due to the 4D’s hard surface, you need the special rubber grip pad that comes with it to control the pad from moving about. Users of the QcK+ won’t have to worry about this as the QcK+ comes with diamond-texture rubber padding to prevent slipping. I much prefer this as I don’t have to keep aligning the two surfaces of the 4D on my desk.

Size Comparison

Bottom Texture

Performance Testing: QcK+ vs Radio Shack vs 4D:

n this battle of various mouse pads, I will be using the following games and mouse to compare performance between all three mouse pads:

• Counter-Strike Source
• Battlefield 2142
• Command And Conquer 3
• Microsoft Habu 2000 DPI Gaming Mouse

During my battles in CS: Source, I loved having the additional surface area of the QcK+. For a long time, I have played this game using the regular pad and the 4D, and have had to move my mouse back to another position on the mouse pad because I ran out of space. This is especially annoying during those times when you are moving around in wide and open maps, like scoutzknivez or poolday.

In Battfield 2142, I loved having that extra control of the sniper rifles. It had using the sniper rifles more fun with a greater level of control and accuracy. The regular mouse pad was too coarse for this while the 4D caused slipping to occur due to its hard plastic surface.  Another win for the QcK+.

In Command and Conquer 3, it was the 4D that took the win in this round. The 4D’s hard surface allowed me to move around the map area much faster and which greater precision than with the QcK+. Seeing that CNC3 is an RTS, being able to navigate the playing field is of greater concern rather than trying to target your enemy in an FPS based game.  With the regular mouse pad, it couldn’t be used for this game due to its coarse surface and lack of surface area.

QcK+ Logo

Final Conclusion:

The QcK+ is a marvelous product that didn’t disappoint one bit. I was very impressed by the amount of surface area that you get with the product, and the quality is excellent.  During my testing on my glass desk, there was no slipping of the mouse pad, and I didn’t have to worry about running out of room to move my mouse during gameplay.

I will admit that the 4D is also an excellent product that I have used for the past few months. The hard surface definitely helps in RTS gameplay, but lacks control in FPS gameplay. This is definitely were the QcK+ shined. Gun control and accuracy was much improved overall.

The price of the QcK+ does not come cheap at its $19.95 U.S. price-point, but it’s definitely worth every penny for the performance that you get over your regular mouse pad.

Pros:

• Big enough to move any high performance mouse without back-tracking
• Excellent construction and quality of materials
• Perfect for any First Person Shooter game
• No slip bottom surface to ensure against slipping on any type of desk
  

Cons:

• Not perfect for RTS game play
• Priced somewhat high

I'd like to thank SteelSeries for sending over this large pad for us to take a look at.  It was almost humorous to compare it in size to the 4D.  Please feel free to post your thoughts, comments and questions in the forum at the "Comments" link below.  You will be required to be registered to post, but registration is easy and fast.