Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat<base href="http://www.atruereview.com/" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/template_css.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/style10.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/slimbox/slimbox.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/rokmoomenu.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <style type="text/css"> td.left div.moduletable, td.right div.moduletable, td.left div.moduletable-hilite1, td.right div.moduletable-hilite1, td.left 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</div> <div id="top"> </div> <div class="clr" id="mainbody"> <table class="mainbody" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td class="left"> <div class="moduletable"> <h3> Main Menu </h3> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/" class="mainlevel" >Home</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/news/" class="mainlevel" >News</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/search.html" class="mainlevel" >Search</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://atruereview.com/oldrev.php" class="mainlevel" >Old Reviews</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/atruereview/articles.php" class="mainlevel" >Old Articles</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/contact/contact.html" class="mainlevel" >Contact</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/links/links.html" class="mainlevel" >Links</a></td></tr> <tr align="left"><td><a href="http://www.atruereview.com/accessories/2.html" class="mainlevel" >Reviews</a></td></tr> </table> </div> <div class="moduletable"> </div> </td> <td class="mainbody"> <table class="sections" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td class="section w99"> <div class="moduletable"> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <div class="padding"> <h2 align="center"> <?php include '../banner.php' ?> </h2> <h2 align="center">Improve Your Gaming Experience:<br> Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat</h2> <table width="357" border="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td width="96">Provided By: <a href="http://www.abspc.com/diy/Config.asp?Section=201000&layout=CB&CMP=OTC-QN0740018215"></a></td> <td width="251"><p><a href="http://www.func.net/">Func</a> (<a href="http://atruereview.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=9597332/search=func">find on PriceGrabber</a>),<br> <a href="http://www.steelseries.com/">Steelseries</a> (<a href="http://atruereview.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/topcat_id=/form_keyword=Steelpad/Search=Go/page_id=54/lo_p=0/hi_p=0/vendors%5B%5D=DBICE">find on PriceGrabber</a>),<a href="http://www.icemat.com/"><br> IceMat</a> (<a href="http://atruereview.pricegrabber.com/search.php?topcat_id=1&form_keyword=icemat&Search=Go">find on PriceGrabber</a>),<a href="http://www.mygamecontroller.com/"><br> My Game Controller</a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Prices:</td> <td>See end of review</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Review Date:<br> </td> <td>December 18th, 2005</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Written By: </td> <td>Daniel W.</td> </tr> </table> <p align="left">Gone are the days when computer mice used lint collecting ball and roller mechanisms for tracking. Computer mice nowadays use mechanical-free optical tracking. Some of the most recent mice even use sophisticated laser tracking. What all these advancements mean (well, ideally any ways) is that a mouse is able to work on any surface. But just because it can work on any surface, does not mean it can work well on any surface. This is why a quality mouse pad is important. Not only does it provide a smooth surface for your mouse to physically glide on, but a quality mouse pad also provides a good surface for the mouse's tracking system to work.</p> <p>One of the first companies that understood the importance of a quality mouse pad is Func Industries. In this review, I will be taking a look at Func's concise, reputable line of gaming mouse pads. Though Func was the first gaming pad company on the scene, they currently are not alone. I will also be examining two vastly different pads from another well renowned gaming pad company, Steelpad. Furthermore, I will check out the latest pad from Steelpad's sibling company, IceMat. In addition to mouse pads, this review will also highlight some accessories from these companies that are aimed at further improving gaming as well as your overall mousing experience. Lastly, for you frugal readers out there looking for a quality mouse pad, this review will also feature an ultra affordable alternative to these well respected brands. So without further delay, on to the reviews.</p> <p><strong>Packaging:</strong></p> <p align="left">This review features Func's Original sUrface1030 double sided mouse pad and its successor, the sUfrace1030 Archetype, as well as Func's single sided F-Series pads. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/O1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/O1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="225" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p align="left">Func's Original sUrface1030 pad comes encased in a foam padded tin case. This tin case comes shrink wrapped with a retail slip cover. sUrface1030 Original's front packaging features a list of the pad's features as well as an impressive icon list of awards it has received from various gaming sites. </p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/O2.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/O2th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="222" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>The back of the packaging features an intro to the pad as well as detailed descriptions of the pad's features and specifications.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/O3.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/O3th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="174" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Func's sUrface1030 Archetype comes packaged in a snap shut blister package. The front of the package mentions the pad's three main features. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/A1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/A1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="225" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>The back of the package describes the included contents. On the back are instructions on how to work the unique features of the sUrface1030 pad. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/A2.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/A2th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="220" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Like the Original sUrface1030, Archetype also includes an appropriately shaped tin case, though this case is felt lined.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/A4.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/A4th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="204" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p> Func's F-Series pads come packaged in a snap shut blister package. The front of the packaging briefly mentions the pad's three main features.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/F1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/F1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="165" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>The back of the package goes into detail on those features. It also includes an introduction to the F-Series pads as well as information about the two surface textures it comes in.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/F2.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/F2th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="202" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Two professional gaming mouse pads from Steelpad in this review are the S&S and QcK+. S&S comes packaged in a thin cardboard retail package, while the QcK+ comes packaged in a long rectangular box. The front of their packages list the respective pad's features and dimensions. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/packfront.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/packfrontth.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="167" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>The back of their packages features numerous favorable quotes from various gaming clans about the respective pads. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/packback.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/packbackth.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="179" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Inside the S&S package, the pad is enclosed in the included carrying sleeve.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/S1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/S1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="192" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p> IceMat's 2nd Edition glass mouse pad comes packaged in a colored retail box. The top of the box lists the pad's features as well as what color pad is enclosed. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Icemat/i01.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Icemat/i01th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="180" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>Inside, the delicate pad is enclosed between two pieces of Styrofoam.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Icemat/i03.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Icemat/i03th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="179" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>The affordable alternative gaming mouse pad is none other than the Black Knight XLH from My-Game-Controller.com. Since I last reviewed it, the Black Knight XLH has gone through some minor renovations. To keep cost low, the pad still arrives from MyGameController.com without an official package, just sandwiched and sealed between two pieces of cardboard.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Black%20Knight/B1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Black%20Knight/B1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="219" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p>The aforementioned accessories designed to improve your mousing experience includes the Anti-Friction LiqUid from Func and the Steel Cord Holder from Steelpad. Anti-Friction LiqUid comes packaged in a simple blister pack with a paper backing. The front of the package talks about what the LiqUid can do.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/L1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/L1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="115" height="250" border="0"></a><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/L2.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/FUNC/L2th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="116" height="250" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p> The back of the package features the application instructions.</p> <p> Steelpad's Steel Cord Holder comes packaged in a lime colored box. The bottom of the box features the specifications list as well as a quick description of that the device does. Inside, the Steel Cord Holder is enclosed inside a Styrofoam compartment.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/C1.jpg"><img src="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/Steelpad/C1th.jpg" alt="Gaming Mouse Pads and Accessories from Func, Steelpad, and IceMat" width="250" height="130" border="0"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p align="right"><a href="atruereview/mousepad_roundup/mousepad_features.php"></a> <a href="mousepad_roundup/mousepad_features.php">Next (Mouse Pad Features)</a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer"> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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