Active service: 17 Sep 2007 - 08 Dec 2009

After slightly >2 years, the rubber coated buttons of my Razer Diamondback non-3G Plasma Blue LE desktop mouse finally degraded beyond repair. Multiple attempts to “rescue”/clean/disinfect the surfaces did not make it better, but in fact, made the rubber more “sticky”. I suspect it’s the isophyrol alcohol that is reacting adversely with the rubber material. So in other ways, the acids from the oil secreted from my fingers accelerated the wearing-out of the rubber-coated buttons & turned the rubber scroll wheel yellow; & the chemicals from the wet tissues nailed the stake in its heart. Nonetheless, the mouse has served me pretty well (& comfortably) over two years but alas, it’s time for a replacement.

On a “lighter” note: the Razer eXactMat (control side) has passed my “pixel-maneuver” test! First, checkout the screen shot above:

See the “+” sign between the word “Ctrl” & “A“? The eXactMat allows me to easily place the tip of my cursor at the pixel tip of that “+” sign. I was unable to accomplish this easily with the same Diamondback mouse on my previous EverGlide Ricochet (control side too).

EDIT: apparently WordPress.com must have “saved a draft” or cocked up while I was editing this post…now this draft is empty when I retrieved it…damn…anyway since I got some photos to refer to in my PhotoBucket account, I shall try to re-enact this post.

I bought a new mousepad: the Razer eXactMat. If you are wondering why I did not purchase the now-available Razer mousepad flagship – the Razer Destructor, well, firstly, it’s expensive and may, just may be a tad too wide for the space on my computer desk designated for mouse mats. Secondly, the eXactMat offers 2 different types of surfaces for a much lower price (since it’s not that new a model), so why not?

I’ve always wondered why certain mousepads have a curved edge as their bottom side, but when I got the eXactMat it finally makes sense to me the curved-in edge allows the mousepad to accomodate a wrist rest without occupying too much additional room. It also allows the user’s hand to “grab” the mouse without straining over the additional distance caused from a raised surface external to an otherwise “regular, squared-edged” mousepad. I must also mentioned why I prefer the wrist rest by Razer is because of the very low profile it possesses as you can see from the photo…which without will result in me cranking/arching very wrist terribly in order to “grab” my mouse. And that defeats the purpose of a wrist rest.

So anyway, the 2 types of surfaces, speed and control aid me specifically and greatly in everyday internet surfing/browsing/scrolling as well as delicate tasks such system maintenance and photoshop sessions respectively.

Thus, this concludes the pairing of my Razer “mousing” suite, welcoming the new joy or precision input device & control surfaces!

]]> http://ralliart12.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/finally-the-pairing-is-complete-2/feed/ 0 ralliart12 http://ralliart12.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/finally-the-pairing-is-complete/ http://ralliart12.wordpress.com/2008/04/12/finally-the-pairing-is-complete/#comments Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:35:10 +0000 ralliart12 http://ralliart12.wordpress.com/?p=89 ]]>

Got my Razer eXactMat today for $38 @ Techdrome (Challenger, Funan’s selling it for $45). Getting bored of my ol’ EverGlide Ricochet [which has found a nice new owner ].

Actually I was considering the latest Razer Destructor, but it’s rather expensive @ $59, and secondly I’m a sucker for dual-surface mouse pads, so since the eXactMat offers a perfect solution for both considerations, it became my logical choice.

I opted for the wrist rest too because it is an integrated solution by Razer & I’ve been seeking high & low for a super low-profile wrist rest. Most other wrist rest just restricts my movement, resting my wrist on those simply results in me clawing awkwardly onto my mouse.

Do note the eXactMat has a slight indenture at its lower perimeter to allow for the Razer wrist rest to be positioned inwards. The combination of both products results in synergy of form AND function. One satisfied customer here