by Brian Tiller  8/14/2002

Introduction

Ok, I know it’s only been about a week since I reviewed the X-Trac optical mouse pad, but I was impressed enough with it that when PCX Mods asked if I would review the X-Trac Pro, I was more than happy to do it. 

The first thing I noticed about the X-Trac Pro was its size.  While the original X-Trac is 8”x11”, the Pro version is a whopping 8.5”X11”.  This increased size is a definite appeal to gamers.

Also of benefit to gamers upon first look is the smaller dot configuration pattern and tighter cloth weave.  As you run your hand over the X-Trac Pro, the surface feels very slick, not at all like a regular cloth pad or the original X-Trac.  One of the selling points on this pad is that PCX Mods used a different method of construction for the pad.  They used a “sublimation dye” process which would “burn in the image to the cloth”.  By doing this they were able to increase the lifespan of the pad by a much greater extent.  Obviously, I can’t test the lifespan in only a few short days, but I will say that the way that the pad is constructed, there are really no edges on it that will come apart or “peel” away as on ordinary cloth pads.  The other thing that might appeal to any gamers is that because this is a cloth pad, it can be rolled up and stored much easier thereby allowing easier carrying to LAN parties. 

Testing

Once again, I used 2 different testing methods with this pad.  The first method was to pit it against both the original X-Trac and Dean’s RatPadz while playing Quake 3.  Once again as expected, the RatPadz took home the trophy with the X-Trac Pro coming in a close 2d place.  Not surprising the original X-Trac came in last in this competition. But there is a noticeable difference between the original pad the newer Pro version.  With the slicker surface the Pro version, the mouse moves much easier across the surface allowing you to move and engage targets much faster (which allows you to frag him before he frags you!).

The second testing bed was graphics, which you all know after reading my first review is where I am personally looking for increased performance.  Sadly, the X-Trac Pro did not perform as well as anticipated.  I felt that the original X-Trac performed much better in graphics applications, perhaps due to the courser surface of the pad.  Compared to the RatPadz, the X-Trac Pro held it’s own.  While it did not best the RatPadz, it did compare well enough to it that it has to be considered when doing graphics design. 

Conclusion 

The X-Trac Pro is a definite improvement over the original X-Trac in gaming performance and is quite a bit larger, but still lags behind the RatPadz.  It makes up for this by being easier to store and carry.  But when it comes to graphics applications, I’ll stick with the original X-Trac.  I really do like the original in this category.

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