For testing MIONIX provided us with the NAOS 3200, a mid-range gaming mouse based around a 3200DPI optical sensor. This allowed us to test the quality of response with a quality optical sensor, ensuring that the tracking is adequate with both mousing surfaces. In order to test tracking utilising a laser sensor we broke out the Thermaltake Level 10 M reviewed last month, which features a 8200 DPI laser sensor. The keyboard used in the Sargas 900 testing was a generic Logitech membrane keyboard.

We used both mats with a variety of games and in general office tasks, which provides a good balance of precision requirements and extended testing of the surfaces for imperfections and manufacturing flaws. It's somewhat important to test both FPS titles, where movements are likely to be relatively fast and over long distances, and strategy games which often favour small and precise movements. Hack 'n' Slash RPGs are something of a happy medium in these regards, and so also well worth looking at.

Games Tested



Results

Sargas 900

In general, tracking on the Sargas 900 was excellent both with the optical and laser mice used. Although the woven microfibre finish is very soft, the 2mm thick rubber backing doesn't have a massive amount of spring and so mice with relatively small but thick feet/casters won't have the opportunity to sink in to the mat and add additional frictional elements. Whatever game styles we threw at it never became an issue: it was easily able to track during precise RTS gameplay and more expansive sessions of Borderlands.

Similarly, the lack of spring from the rubber backing added very little unwanted bounce to the keyboard, keeping keystrokes crisp even on the ageing membrane unit. The size of the mat really came into its own, providing a huge mousing surface even taking the 485mm wide keyboard account. Due to the fact that it's designed to have the keyboard on top, it really adds great layout flexibility to your set-up over a pad greater than 350mm wide. You could even put a mousepad on the mousepad, is that isn't a bit too over the top.

Due at least in part to the pad's size, it stays very firmly in place even on a relatively smooth desk surface when movement it at it's most vigorous. Those who enjoy especially extended sessions at their PC will appreciate that they won't be adjusting the mat every 20 mins to compensate for moving around the desk.

Ensis 320

Once again the tracking on the Ensis 320 was excellent. The surface finish is also very good, allowing a smooth flow over the top rather than what you might at first glance anticipate with a brushed aluminium surface. There were a couple of very slight imperfections evident when mousing over the surface, although after some time it appeared that

If the Sargas 900 is fairly unyielding, that factor is even more apparent on the Ensis: the 1mm thick aluminium has very little give even though backed by 1mm of rubber. Whilst not affecting the quality of the mousing, it does mean that there is a very slight bow to the pad which isn't eliminated totally by the backing. In extended sessions this can cause the Ensis 320 to walk a little over the desk, but only a little thanks to the grippy backing.

The unyielding nature of the aluminium pad will tend to pass through vibrations transmitted in the desk. For the vast majority of people this will not be an issue, but those with a PC on the desk which generates plenty of noise and vibrations should be aware. Even then, it's only likely to be picked up at very high DPI and mouse sensitivity.