Page 3 - Subjective Performance Tests
For these tests, the mouse I will be using is the Maurus X from Genius GX Gaming I have previously reviewed. Due to the subjectivity of testing a mousepad, and the impossibility of a single best surface, the tests I will be running will be based on everyday use with working and web browsing scenarios. In addition, because we have two mousepads, I will be switching between the two. Overall, we will be basing the tests on four categories below:
Glide - For quick and effortless mouse movements across the mousing surface.
Control - For precise and accurate cursor/crosshair handling.
Grip - The mousepad's ability to stay in the same position on the desk without undesirably relocating itself.
Noise - Will this mousepad generate noise when the mouse is being used?
First, the testing will be done on the Skyn Speed. Once I had the Maurus X on the Skyn Speed, the glide of mouse was quick and very easy to predict. After allowing the mouse to glide from side to side, I realized it was slightly smoother compared to when sliding the mouse up and down. For example, when editing a document in Microsoft Word, moving my cursor across the toolbar is more effortless than dragging the scroll bar to the bottom of the document. I suspect the texture on the surface naturally allows more movement side to side; movement top to bottom goes “against the grain”, requiring a pinch more effort comparatively. I feel this is fitting, because lateral movement is more used, due to a normal computer screen is built to be rectangular in shape. Moving onto the Skyn Control, the difference in lateral movement compared to the top to bottom movement is very slight. Unless directly compared, users should not at all concerned about this at all. Kingston has certainly created a product with a quick mousing surface that requires minimal effort from users.
Control of the mousepad would be solely dependent on a preference of harder surfaces versus softer surfaces; each with its benefits. On a harder surface, the mouse seems to glide faster, and on a softer surface, the mouse’s movement is slowed down by the cloth material. I ran the Skyn Control first for this test through a quick integration of the Exact Aiming Pro game found online. I then replicated the test using the Skyn Speed and the results could not be told apart. However, this would be an expected result of having a thin plastic surface that does not have as big as a deviation in surface texture than a cloth mousepad.
With regards to grip, because the two mousepads uses the same adhesive backing, I will be concluding my results as one. As previously mentioned, both of Skyn products I am reviewing comes with adhesive backings covered with a plastic film. With regards to its grip, this mousepad is literally staying on my desk until the day I decide to rip it off my desk and switch it for another one. I mean, it is hard to top the adhesive power of using glue. After switching between the Speed and the Control, the adhesive backing was still strong as ever. This was a surprise to me, as many previous products I have owned -- namely phone screen protectors -- were only good for a one-time application. However, because the backing is self-adhesive, the removal process was not nearly as easy as if it was gripped with small traction patterns. But in saying this, I believe many users would agree in saying that the grip of the mousepad will overrule any inconvenience or hassle with removal. Another note regarding the removal of the mousepad is the added on tab feature on the top left corner that allows for a lift and pull function for an even easier process in switching it out.
As for the noise factor, this was one of the tests that I was most looking forward in doing. Earlier in the review, I briefly talked about the disadvantages of owning and using a plastic mousepad. One of the disadvantages would be the noise factor in everyday use. Due to the fact the texture of the mousepads are different, I am going to be testing them separately. The feel of the Skyn Control is a little coarser, so I suspected it would produce a little more noise. This inference was correct in direct comparison to the Skyn Speed, which produced very minimal noise. Each with its merits in performance, the noise would not be a break it or make it deal for myself. In addition to this, typically I have my headphones on when I am using my computer, hence the noise did not affect me at all.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look
3. Subjective Performance Tests
4. Conclusion
