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Good surface for optical mouse?

N

NeoPTLD

Platinum Member
I am using a mouse pad that's got a plastic like finish on the top and it causes my optical mouse to skip and my desk doesn't want to work well with the mouse either.

I don't want to buy some fancy mouse pad that costs $10.

What's a smooth gliding surface that works well with optical mouse?
 
This is largely a matter of preference, but I've found that the rubber backed cloth pads are some of the smoothest, albeit with higher overall friction. The higher friction allows for greater precision (IMO) when moving slowly. You can get them just about anywhere, including Circuit City, Best Buy and CompUSA. Mine is made by Allsop.
 
Depends on your mouse. Older optical mice might be finicky. Newer stuff (e.g., mx700) should be fine with about anything.
 
Originally posted by: stultus
Depends on your mouse. Older optical mice might be finicky. Newer stuff (e.g., mx700) should be fine with about anything.
Click to expand...

It's a brand new Microsoft "Basic Optical mouse" that I bought about two weeks ago. This is what it is called. No model # at all.
 
The only bad surface I've heard people speak of is a reflective one, stay away from using a reflective surface and you should be fine.
 
I went to home depot and picked up a small scrap of counter top formica, tacked it to my wooden computer desktop. the mouse glides easily on its smooth surface.
 
3M has something called a "precision mousing surface " for optical mice...it has loads of tiny ridges and hollows, kinda like a cats tongue. I use it and like it.....and even mouse on it ;>)
 
I've used cloth pads without a problem with even the most basic optical mouse out there. I'd still be using a cloth pad if I didn't get a free Ratpadz GS.
 
Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
Originally posted by: stultus
Depends on your mouse. Older optical mice might be finicky. Newer stuff (e.g., mx700) should be fine with about anything.
Click to expand...

It's a brand new Microsoft "Basic Optical mouse" that I bought about two weeks ago. This is what it is called. No model # at all.
Click to expand...

that mouse is a POS, i own it it barely works on anything, otoh my Intellimouse explorer 3.0 and mx 700 works on everything
 
Originally posted by: beatle
This is largely a matter of preference, but I've found that the rubber backed cloth pads are some of the smoothest, albeit with higher overall friction. The higher friction allows for greater precision (IMO) when moving slowly. You can get them just about anywhere, including Circuit City, Best Buy and CompUSA. Mine is made by Allsop.
Click to expand...

I like these too
 
I use my laptop mini optical mouse on any surface, blanket, carpet, tile, books, it all works great. Something wrong with yours if you notice that much of a difference with differing surfaces.
 
I was using a regular mouse pad with an optical mouse but for the last 4 months or so simply using on the desks surface that has a wood grain design and it work great
 
Technically you don't necessarily need a pad of any kind with an optical mouse, unless the desk surface is very reflective or transparent.
 
get something of a solid color, I like my Func 1030 mouse pad, but it's more for gaming than anything else. on my non-gaming rig I just use a regular old cheap $9.99 deal from Circuit City with my Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer and it works great.
 
If you don't use a mouse pad, and your desk is just a laminate, not a natural wood grain or plastic, the mouse will ruin the surface... I'd post pictures of my desk, but I'm too lazy to walk to the other side of the room to get my digital camera 😀 Maybe if someone asks nicely to see my ruined desk, I'll show you 😀
 
I fine that with optical mice the best surface is one that has no fancy graphics on it and have a slight tooth to it.

Something super flat and shiny may be bad. If light doesn't reflect on it to much and you rub your hand on it and feel a slight texture that works great.

I've used a thin hardback book for ages and that was the best. My desk has glass top so that doesn't work so hot, otherwise the best surface is the top of a desk or something.

Anything with a tight pattern or irregular image on it is bad and can cause the mouse to jump around a bit.
 
ok you want to go cheap for under $10 ,try a piece of A4 white paper taped to your desk 😉 works great.
 
xtrac has really nice cloth and plastic top mouse pads designed for optical mice and precision. You can get them at svc.com right now on sale from like 8 bucks up to 20 bucks, depending on the size and model you get. I'm waiting on my Xtrac Hammer to get here, the 11"x17" credit card thin beast :evil:
 
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