|
Statistics
Visitors: 942152
Advertisement
Notebook Computers
For the best deals on laptop computers visit www.Geeks.com.
|
|
Written by Mikhail Ivanenkov
|
|
Wednesday, 13 June 2007 |
|
Thanks to Crazy PC for the product sample.
Although I have next to no time for games thanks to school/Mikhailtech/significant other, there is a day here and there when I can kick back for an hour and take some frustration out on a pile of alien (or terrestrial) baddies. I'm definitely not what you'd consider a "hardcore gamer"; I don't have a Razor Boomslang or a RatPadz. What I do have is a Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical and whatever presents itself at the moment as a usable surface. Most of my time spent in front of a computer screen is dedicated to office-type work: writing articles, posting news, writing school papers and working on digital projects. In other words, my experience might not be exactly the same as that of a hopelessly addicted LAN-goer.
Mouse Wax is pretty funky stuff. When I first received the bottle of what looked to be eye medication I couldn't help but be skeptical. The cheesy slogan doesn't help much either. Have you waxed your mouse today? This isn't an incredibly professional product, at least not by appearance. The sticker peels, there's no package, no seal, etc. But if it works it works, right? If you haven't figured it out by now, Mouse Wax is a quick drying anti-friction liquid that supposedly makes your mouse glide smoother over a variety of different surfaces. Mostly everything can be summarized through Crazy PC's list of specs:
- 1/2 Oz bottle will be a "dropper" style bottle with handy screw on cap
- Mouse Wax® is unique, in that it is inorganic in nature and contains -NO- PETROCHEMICALS!
- Mouse Wax® is a clear liquid film that goes on wet and dries clear in a matter of seconds (unlike other products on the market)
- Mouse Wax® is used DRY, it won’t collect dust, lint and greases from your hands
- Mouse Wax® is non-toxic... It will NOT harm you, your pads, the Environment, your clothes and your pets!
- Mouse Wax® has no harsh fumes or offensive odor ... it is a space age - WATER BASED FORMULA
- Mouse Wax® may be used on all types of plastic mouse pads, including all types of GAMING PADS: RATPADZ, EVERGLIDE, 1030, Rhinolin Deskpads etc... etc)
- Mouse Wax® will work with ALL types of MICE, Optical, Ball mice, it will NOT AFFECT OPTICAL TRACKING!
- Mouse Wax® won’t peel, flake, discolor or fade.
- Safe to use on mouse feet AND the mouse pad. In fact, we RECOMMEND treating the feet for MAXIMUM effect. Not Recommended for use OVER Mouse Skatez!
- One treatment lasts for about a week on most pads, and a few days on the mouse feet (depending on use)
- Will reduce friction to almost zilch when using “fine cell” Gaming pads; Ratspadz, Everglide and 3M 1040 etc
- Less is more in the case of Mouse Wax®, it takes VERY Little to do the job. Just a drop or two on the pad/week
- Reduces drag so well that your hand gets less fatigued while gaming
- Your movements will be more fluid and therefore faster
Exactly what kind of compound/mixture is used I have no clue, but it certainly has unique qualities about it (kind of like silly putty). While half an ounce doesn't seem like much, it's actually quite a bit considering you only need one drop on each foot and 2-4 (depending on the size) on the pad. Similar to ethyl alcohol, Mouse Wax dries seconds after you smear it on. Being water based and non-toxic is also a plus, along with the lack of any kind of odor. Although it's intended for use with gaming/plastic mouse pads, it also works on other surfaces (like cloth pads for instance), though not as well.
The only downside is that it's not a permanent solution; depending on how long you let it "cure" (recommended time is 24 hours) as well as how many coats you put on will dictate how long it'll last (generally about a week). But that's not to be confused with using a lot of it. Less is better in this case, as too much will create a waxy surface and possibly increase friction. The more patient you are, the better the outcome and the longer it'll last. If you're heading off to a LAN party, it's a good idea to apply a coat or two the night before, and another the morning of.
Anyway, all you need to get the party started is a mouse, a surface, a cloth (or paper towel, or tissue) and a Q-tip. Since I don't have any "fine cell" gaming pads, I'll be using whatever I can find. The first set was a plastic folder with some paper inside, along with a black Mitsumi optical mouse. Put a drop of the stuff on each foot, swish around with a Q-tip and wait for a few minutes. Squirt some drops on the "pad", wipe clean with the towel, wait a few more minutes. Now you're ready for action.
I can't really describe the effect too well; it's something you have to try for yourself. Point is, it works. Surprisingly, but it works. Gliding is a lot smoother and you do actually have to adjust your playing skills somewhat since it takes even less effort to move. The next mouse I tried it with was the aforementioned IntelliMouse Optical, one of the best of all time, on a rather gritty cloth pad. The outcome here wasn't as dramatic and it took several more drops to get the desired effect, but it still works, and pretty well might I add.
The final attempt was on my desk, aka glued wood chips covered with a plastic coating. This was more of a relative comparison, as I could slide the mouse over to a non-treated portion and then back to the treated half. Since it was slick to begin with, there wasn't that much of a difference, but I could still feel slightly more slipperiness. As for price, it's not terribly expensive; at $10 a bottle you'll have to spare a couple fat-laden burgers but that's about it. But what it really comes down to is do you need it?
If you're a game buff then yes, I recommend this stuff, since it works as advertised. Some office workers might find a use for it too, but it doesn't really matter to me either way. Call me lazy, but seeing as how I don't play many games and I'm not "da bomb" at the ones I do play on occasion, Mouse Wax won't take me up through the ranks much. In other words, it's one of those products that's good for certain applications but not for others.
Pros
- It works
- Plenty of it
- Not too expensive ~$10
Cons
- Not permanent
- Not for everyone
If anything, Mouse Wax is a very innovative product, just like Mouse Skatez were in their own time. And unlike several flops out there, it actually works. I'd like to thank Crazy PC once again for sending over some Mouse Wax, and if interested you can get yours here. Thanks for reading and enjoy the site!
|
|
|
