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ZOWIE GEAR P-RF Mouse Pad


Date
: 04/16/09 – 04:31:05 AM

Author
:

Category
: Misc

Page 1 : Index

Manufacturer:
ZOWIE GEAR

If you haven't heard of ZOWIE GEAR, chances are you are not alone. So exactly who are they and what are they up to? If you take a trip to their website, they sum up what they are about rather well with this paragraph:

ZOWIE GEAR consists of experienced individuals that share the same objective — develop high quality, efficient, and durable products all at affordable prices. All the products of ZOWIE GEAR are developed for people's ideal. It is through our development and critical production process that makes these dreams come true.

While your typical free mousepad might work ok in the cubicle jungle, most gamers and graphic designers know the value of a quality mousepad. ZOWIE GEAR has come to Overclockers Online with the launch of their first product line, the RF series of mousepads. The RF series comes in 3 different sizes, starting from the smallest; the N-RF2, N-RF1 and the P-RF. Today I'll be trying out the largest of the models the P-RF and putting it through some grueling tests (hey, it's a tough job but someone has to do it).

Page 2 : Package and Specifications

Packaging is quite low key with a black rectangular box and a clear window. The back lists the features in several languages.

Once removed from the package, the P-RF looks almost like any other mousepad from a distance. Looks like your typical black mousepad with company logo, however When you get close you see the difference. Up close you can see the texture in the material ZOWIE GEAR has chosen, which is quite a different look than any cloth mousepad I have seen.

The backside of the P-RF is also a bit different. ZOWIE GEAR claims that other pads use a natural rubber base that can tend to slip. To change this they used a mixture of natural rubber and other components for their non slip base.

Page 3 : Testing

Before I delved into some heavy use, I decided to run through a little unconventional testing. ZOWIE GEAR claims their pad to be waterproof and I figured I had to put this to a test. For comparison I used another cloth pad I had and poured a bit of water on each and let them sit. On the left you can see the water just beads up on the P-RF while it slowly soaks in on the traditional fabric pad on the right.

After a quick wipe with a towel you can see that the P-RF cleaned right up with no soak in while you can see the water has soaked in the more traditional cloth pad to the right.

For the rest of the testing it was a mixture of normal everyday use and some fun nights of gaming. I used two different mice, both the Logitech MX Revolution and the OCZ Eclipse and with both mice the pad was smooth and as accurate as you can hope for. Whether trying to dome the witch in Left 4 Dead or working on the latest photo in Photoshop, the P-RF never let me down. The non slip base is honestly the best I have experienced on a mousepad yet. The P-RF didn't seem to move even an inch after a few hours of gaming which really impressed me, because they all seem to move at least a little.

Page 4 : Conclusion

ZOWIE GEAR is a new face on the market of gaming and with their first product, the P-RF mousepad, they have left a very positive impression on me. The P-RF doesn't seem to move an inch under heavy gaming and is accurate in both games and graphic applications. The surface lives up to its claim in repelling liquids and cleanup is a snap; so far not a single stain can be seen.

I really can't find any disadvantages with the P-RF aside from a product name that may not stick in your mind and limited availability. With a company name like ZOWIE GEAR I would almost expect a catchier product name. However, lack of a catchy name aside, ZOWIE has a good start and I look forward to seeing what other products they bring to the market.

Advantages

• Water proof
  
  
• Flexible
• Smooth surface

Disadvantages

• Limited availability

Overclockers Online would like to thank ZOWIE GEAR for supplying the P-RF mousepad for review.