Introduction
QPAD is known to produce some of the best cloth based hybrid mats on the market. I remember when I first got my QPAD LowSense mouse mat, I was amazed with the precision and control of mat. That mat has been the benchmark of cloth mats ever since and became a huge success. Today I will be reviewing the latest evolution of QPAD's cloth based hybrid mats, the QPAD|CT. It is a hybrid mat which basically means that it is a cloth mat with polymer coating. The QPAD|CT is available in two sizes (Large, Medium) and two thicknesses (4mm, 1.5mm). The mat I got for review is the 1.5mm version.
First look & Closer examination
The QPAD|CT is a new version of the rather old QPAD LowSense mat. One of the changes you notice straight out of the box is that the pad is much thinner. Where the old one was 4mm in thickness the new one is only 1.5mm, which is very thin.
One of the things that set a hybrid mat apart from the 100% cloth mats is the surface. The surface is much harder and made of polymer, making the gliding experience more like a hard platstic mat than a cloth surfaced mat. Another positive thing about the polymer coating is that it actually enables the manufacturer to make the surface more fine in its grain and reduce friction between mat and mouse.
Just like the QPAD XT-R the CT comes with some precut Glidz teflon. This has some benefits to it if your mouse's feet are the same size as the precut teflon - if your mouse has bigger feet than the precut teflon it will pick up a lot of dirt if you apply them. The dirt will really limit the gliding performance in that case.
Size
Even the Large edition is way smaller than the Razer Mantis and QcK heavy. I think that the mat is too small for hardcore low-sensitivity gamers. I play az medium sensitivity and I think that the mat's size is adequate.
Dimensions: 405m x 285mm, 15.95" x 11.23", thickness 1.5mm.