Frederik S
01-19-2008, 12:50 PM
[page=Introduction & Specifications]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Barracuda-HP1/images/razerlogo.jpg
Razer has been around for quite a while now and most people probably know them for their high end gaming peripherals. It has been a year or two since Razer last put a new and innovating gaming surface on the market, I guess better late than never. This all new mouse mat is dubbed the Destructor.
The Destructor is a plastic mat with a natural rubber base glued on like many other mats on the market today. The new innovation that the Destructor mat features is what Razer calls "Fractal" technology.
The "Fractal" surface should enable laser and ordinary optical mice to make coherent tracking at higher speeds than on a traditional mat.
Specifications
Designed with top professional gamers
Razer Fractal textured surface for enhanced precision movements
Optimized to improve optical and laser gaming grade mouse performance
Ultra-wide size: 350 mm (Length) x 280 (Width) x 2.3 mm (Height)
Non-slip rubber base for firm grip on smooth surfaces
Includes a reinforced lightweight carrying case
The size and features of the Destructor are pretty common for a high end gaming grade mouse mat. The size is adequate for low to high sensitivity gamers and the height is minimal.
[page=The Package & Closer Examination]
The Package
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_package_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_package.jpg)
The Razer Destructor comes in a semi hard carrying bag. On the front and back of the package you can read all about how many "top professional" gamers endorse the mat. What it all boils down to, however, is that this mat has a new type of surface that makes it easier for both optical and laser mice to track movement.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_the_package_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_the_package.jpg)
According to the specifications listed by Razer, laser engines should be able to track acceleration 37% faster on the Destructor than on three other gaming grade mouse mats, and 25% when using standard optical sensor. These claims are of course hard to put to the test because Razer will not dish out what the benchmark mats were or how they tested. Size wise the Destructor is pretty normal measuring in at 350 mm length and 280 mm height.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/case_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/case.jpg)
The semi hard mouse mat case that comes with the Destructor is nice to have so that you do not end up ruining your pad going to and from LAN parties.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_bundle_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_bundle.jpg)
Besides the carrying case the bundle is pretty limited. No mouse feet or anything else, just the mat and a box.
[page=Closer Examination]
Closer Examination
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_mat_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_mat.jpg)
The mat itself is pretty wide and features an arched wrist rest. The general shape of the mat looks like the old Razer eXactmat just made from plastic. The shape of the mat is pretty good since it maximizes the usable area as much as possible because the curvature follows the angle of your arm.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_mat_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_mat.jpg)
The non-slip backing of the Destructor is made of natural rubber with a thread like pattern. It does a really good job at keeping the mat in place on almost any kind of surface. During the time I tested the mat it did not move an inch. Normal mats tend to slip around a bit on my hardwood desk, but that was not the case with the Destructor.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/edge_shot_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/edge_shot.jpg)
With a thickness of only 2.3 mm this gaming surface is quite comfortable to use even though it is a hard plastic mat.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_logo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_logo.jpg)
No Razer product is complete without a gimmick. In this case you get a little spider crawling on top of the "Destructor" logo. The logo is painted beneath the surface so the area covered by the logo is usable and will not interfere with your game. I like the fact that the logos are not the “bling bling kind” and something that you can stand looking at every day. The logos are actually so toned down on the Destructor that you do not notice them unless you are looking for them.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_surface_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_surface.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_2.jpg)
Upon closer examination the surface looks extremely smooth with no jagged edges whatsoever. The surface is "soft" to touch and has a good and controllable glide considering that its a smooth surface.
[page=Performance & Durability]
Performance
To test the performance of the Razer Destructor mouse mat I used a couple of very different mice, each representing their own technology. I used the Razer Lachesis as a 3rd generation laser benchmark, the SteelSeries Ikari as 2nd generation laser benchmark and last but not least the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 as a optical mouse reference.
One of the things that surprised me right from the start with this mat was the extreme evenness and smoothness of the surface. That coupled with a good glide made the transition from my old hard mat very easy because it was basically better than that in every sense. With the Razer Lachesis gaming performance was perfect, but then again it darn well should be since the mouse mat was practically made for the Razer mouse flagship. The 3rd generation laser sensor performed at its very best under all circumstances both at low and high sensitivity. As one would come to expect from a laser mouse that uses the very best performing technology tracking wise. Liftoff distance was the same as with my old mat and the tracking was just as good.
I think that the Destructor compliments the Lachesis nicely because of the very smooth surface. The combo is near perfect for high sensitivity gamers that only use the fingers to maneuver the mouse around on the surface.
Next up was a test with the newest high performance laser mouse from SteelSeries namely the Ikari laser mouse. The performance of the mouse was really neat on this surface. The liftoff distance was about 1 to 1.5 mm which is very little. Tracking was coherent all the time even when using a relatively low sensitivity.
The story was no different with the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0. The tracking was immaculate even at high speeds. The surface is perfect for medium to high sensitivity gamers. If you use a low sensitivity the mat can be good if you value a smooth surface over a fast one. If that is the case then the Destructor is pretty much the best mat around for about $40.
Durability
Being a hard plastic mat the durability is really good. The natural rubber base is adhered to the plastic part of the mat very thoroughly and does not seem to come undone easily. Since the mat does not slip around on your desk the wear on the rubber base will be minimal.
Given the smoothness of the surface the wear and tear on mouse feet will be minimal. I have been using the Destructor for a week now with new mouse feet and it is almost impossible to spot the wear on the feet.
Even though the surface is very smooth it is nail scratch proof which is nice. The mat is bendable to a certain angle, but you need to put a lot of force into breaking it.
Comfort
With a thickness of only 2.3 mm this mat is very easy on the wrist. Besides being fairly low the edges are all feathered a bit and will not cause any problems at all while using the mat. I have no complaints at all to make about this mat other than it could be nice if it had been even thinner, but that is pretty impossible if you want the solid natural rubber base. The compromise is pretty good I would rather have a mat that stays in place and is 0.5 mm thicker than one that is a bit thinner and skids around on your desk while playing.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Razer Destructor is available at Razer (http://www.Razerzone.com/) for about $40.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Perfect tracking with all types of mice
Smooth
Even
Better than average glide for a fine grained surface
Low liftoff distance with most mice
Comfort
Design
Durable
Nice natural rubber base
Carrying case included
Subtle graphics
Adequate size for most gamers
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Could be bigger
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.8</th>
<td>
This mat is damn near perfect in terms of performance. The fact that both optical and laser mice work so great on the surface is very nice. Its smoothness means that there is a bit more friction between mouse and surface than normal. Compared to other extremely smooth mats like the Func F10.S this is a bit faster while still not being considered "fast". The compromise between glide and smoothness is perfect for medium to high sensitivity gamers because you do not get as much feedback from the surface as on a medium rough surface.
Comfort wise this mat is among the best hard mats because it is so thin. In terms of durability the Destructor seems to be glued together nicely. The surface is nail scratch proof, but will get scared if you scratch it with a hard object. Another nice detail is the carrying bag that Razer includes this is really neat and keeps that mat clean and safe while transporting it around.
Overall the Razer Destructor is really a no brainer at a price of only $40 if you like hard mats with smooth surfaces. It is a definitive steal for anyone looking for a smooth mat for their laser mouse.
</td></tr><tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Barracuda-HP1/images/razerlogo.jpg
Razer has been around for quite a while now and most people probably know them for their high end gaming peripherals. It has been a year or two since Razer last put a new and innovating gaming surface on the market, I guess better late than never. This all new mouse mat is dubbed the Destructor.
The Destructor is a plastic mat with a natural rubber base glued on like many other mats on the market today. The new innovation that the Destructor mat features is what Razer calls "Fractal" technology.
The "Fractal" surface should enable laser and ordinary optical mice to make coherent tracking at higher speeds than on a traditional mat.
Specifications
Designed with top professional gamers
Razer Fractal textured surface for enhanced precision movements
Optimized to improve optical and laser gaming grade mouse performance
Ultra-wide size: 350 mm (Length) x 280 (Width) x 2.3 mm (Height)
Non-slip rubber base for firm grip on smooth surfaces
Includes a reinforced lightweight carrying case
The size and features of the Destructor are pretty common for a high end gaming grade mouse mat. The size is adequate for low to high sensitivity gamers and the height is minimal.
[page=The Package & Closer Examination]
The Package
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_package_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_package.jpg)
The Razer Destructor comes in a semi hard carrying bag. On the front and back of the package you can read all about how many "top professional" gamers endorse the mat. What it all boils down to, however, is that this mat has a new type of surface that makes it easier for both optical and laser mice to track movement.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_the_package_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_the_package.jpg)
According to the specifications listed by Razer, laser engines should be able to track acceleration 37% faster on the Destructor than on three other gaming grade mouse mats, and 25% when using standard optical sensor. These claims are of course hard to put to the test because Razer will not dish out what the benchmark mats were or how they tested. Size wise the Destructor is pretty normal measuring in at 350 mm length and 280 mm height.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/case_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/case.jpg)
The semi hard mouse mat case that comes with the Destructor is nice to have so that you do not end up ruining your pad going to and from LAN parties.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_bundle_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_bundle.jpg)
Besides the carrying case the bundle is pretty limited. No mouse feet or anything else, just the mat and a box.
[page=Closer Examination]
Closer Examination
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_mat_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_mat.jpg)
The mat itself is pretty wide and features an arched wrist rest. The general shape of the mat looks like the old Razer eXactmat just made from plastic. The shape of the mat is pretty good since it maximizes the usable area as much as possible because the curvature follows the angle of your arm.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_mat_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/back_of_mat.jpg)
The non-slip backing of the Destructor is made of natural rubber with a thread like pattern. It does a really good job at keeping the mat in place on almost any kind of surface. During the time I tested the mat it did not move an inch. Normal mats tend to slip around a bit on my hardwood desk, but that was not the case with the Destructor.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/edge_shot_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/edge_shot.jpg)
With a thickness of only 2.3 mm this gaming surface is quite comfortable to use even though it is a hard plastic mat.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_logo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_logo.jpg)
No Razer product is complete without a gimmick. In this case you get a little spider crawling on top of the "Destructor" logo. The logo is painted beneath the surface so the area covered by the logo is usable and will not interfere with your game. I like the fact that the logos are not the “bling bling kind” and something that you can stand looking at every day. The logos are actually so toned down on the Destructor that you do not notice them unless you are looking for them.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_surface_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/the_surface.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Razer/Destructor/images/surface_2.jpg)
Upon closer examination the surface looks extremely smooth with no jagged edges whatsoever. The surface is "soft" to touch and has a good and controllable glide considering that its a smooth surface.
[page=Performance & Durability]
Performance
To test the performance of the Razer Destructor mouse mat I used a couple of very different mice, each representing their own technology. I used the Razer Lachesis as a 3rd generation laser benchmark, the SteelSeries Ikari as 2nd generation laser benchmark and last but not least the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 as a optical mouse reference.
One of the things that surprised me right from the start with this mat was the extreme evenness and smoothness of the surface. That coupled with a good glide made the transition from my old hard mat very easy because it was basically better than that in every sense. With the Razer Lachesis gaming performance was perfect, but then again it darn well should be since the mouse mat was practically made for the Razer mouse flagship. The 3rd generation laser sensor performed at its very best under all circumstances both at low and high sensitivity. As one would come to expect from a laser mouse that uses the very best performing technology tracking wise. Liftoff distance was the same as with my old mat and the tracking was just as good.
I think that the Destructor compliments the Lachesis nicely because of the very smooth surface. The combo is near perfect for high sensitivity gamers that only use the fingers to maneuver the mouse around on the surface.
Next up was a test with the newest high performance laser mouse from SteelSeries namely the Ikari laser mouse. The performance of the mouse was really neat on this surface. The liftoff distance was about 1 to 1.5 mm which is very little. Tracking was coherent all the time even when using a relatively low sensitivity.
The story was no different with the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0. The tracking was immaculate even at high speeds. The surface is perfect for medium to high sensitivity gamers. If you use a low sensitivity the mat can be good if you value a smooth surface over a fast one. If that is the case then the Destructor is pretty much the best mat around for about $40.
Durability
Being a hard plastic mat the durability is really good. The natural rubber base is adhered to the plastic part of the mat very thoroughly and does not seem to come undone easily. Since the mat does not slip around on your desk the wear on the rubber base will be minimal.
Given the smoothness of the surface the wear and tear on mouse feet will be minimal. I have been using the Destructor for a week now with new mouse feet and it is almost impossible to spot the wear on the feet.
Even though the surface is very smooth it is nail scratch proof which is nice. The mat is bendable to a certain angle, but you need to put a lot of force into breaking it.
Comfort
With a thickness of only 2.3 mm this mat is very easy on the wrist. Besides being fairly low the edges are all feathered a bit and will not cause any problems at all while using the mat. I have no complaints at all to make about this mat other than it could be nice if it had been even thinner, but that is pretty impossible if you want the solid natural rubber base. The compromise is pretty good I would rather have a mat that stays in place and is 0.5 mm thicker than one that is a bit thinner and skids around on your desk while playing.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Razer Destructor is available at Razer (http://www.Razerzone.com/) for about $40.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Perfect tracking with all types of mice
Smooth
Even
Better than average glide for a fine grained surface
Low liftoff distance with most mice
Comfort
Design
Durable
Nice natural rubber base
Carrying case included
Subtle graphics
Adequate size for most gamers
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Could be bigger
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.8</th>
<td>
This mat is damn near perfect in terms of performance. The fact that both optical and laser mice work so great on the surface is very nice. Its smoothness means that there is a bit more friction between mouse and surface than normal. Compared to other extremely smooth mats like the Func F10.S this is a bit faster while still not being considered "fast". The compromise between glide and smoothness is perfect for medium to high sensitivity gamers because you do not get as much feedback from the surface as on a medium rough surface.
Comfort wise this mat is among the best hard mats because it is so thin. In terms of durability the Destructor seems to be glued together nicely. The surface is nail scratch proof, but will get scared if you scratch it with a hard object. Another nice detail is the carrying bag that Razer includes this is really neat and keeps that mat clean and safe while transporting it around.
Overall the Razer Destructor is really a no brainer at a price of only $40 if you like hard mats with smooth surfaces. It is a definitive steal for anyone looking for a smooth mat for their laser mouse.
</td></tr><tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>