Belkin WaveRest Gel Mouse Pad (Black)
by Belkin Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $6.26 You Save: $10.73 (63%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Buy Used: from $5.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin WaveRest Gel Mouse Pad (Black)
Customer Review: Extremely Comfortable
Summary: 5 Stars
This mouse pad is an excellent investment for anyone who uses a mouse for any decent length of time.
1) The size is more than adequate for me, I am able to go across a 22" monitor in one motion (although this will depend mostly on your mouse sensitivity).
2) The material on the top is soft and feels like a foam neoprene laptop case. Some people have complained about the friction and noise of sliding the mouse: there is SOME noise, but not more than any other mouse pad. The friction of the neoprene is higher than a desk or a hard plastic mouse pad, but I personally think it gives me more control of my mouse. Not an issue at all in my opinion, the difference is noticeable at best.
3) I haven't owned this for long, but I could foresee something scratching it (like a watch or a pen) and making the threads come up. Also, the whole thing is flexible and foam, so you don't risk cracking any plastic components if you shove it into a laptop bag. The foam bottom keeps it from sliding quite well, although I don't think that would be an issue for any wrist pad. It may pick up a little dust, but any gripping surface will do that.
4) The design is what sets this mouse pad apart. The sort of trapezoidal shape of the top part allows you to have a greater range of motion, especially compared to a round mouse pad like the Fellowes Gel Mousepad. (If you look at your hands while you use your mouse, when you go back and forth, you don't use the part closest to your wrist, the greatest range of motion is at your fingertips).
The actual wrist support is excellent as well. Belkin, either by luck or a stroke of brilliance, designed the wrist support to have an indent in the middle. The reason this is significant is because it now creates two support points for your wrist. This is superior again, to the Fellowes Gel pad (not bashing it or anything, it is just the best comparison I can give) because the gel pad is just a giant bubble, creating one pressure point on your wrist that can reduce circulation and comfort. The slight indent allows the pressure to be distributed to the bottom of your palm and an inch or two above the wrist, rather than right on the joint of your hand and arm. This may seem trivial, but if you have ever had issues with circulation while using wrist/mouse pads like I have, this one does the trick because it allows better circulation.
5) On an even more obscure note, since this mouse pad is neoprene and not smooth plastic like the Fellowes, it breathes better and therefore reduces sweating. Hopefully this point helps someone with sweaty palms or works in a warm environment :D
Overall this is the best mouse pad I could have chosen. Do keep in mind that if you use an optical mouse (if your mouse emits a red light at the bottom), there could be tracking issues and your cursor may jump around because this mouse pad is black and absorbs light differently than a wooden desk would. However, this largely depends on the quality and age of your mouse. My laser mouse has had no issues at all.
Customer Review: The Most Comfortable Mouse Pad You Will Ever Own!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to say this mouse pad has far exceeded anything I hoped for. When I first opened the box it was shipped in I was very put off. There was a Very, Very strong chemical smell. I chalked it up to something in the packaging material. It turns out that was not where the smell was coming from. It was the mouse pad itself. Having worked in a shoe factory years ago I was able to identify the smell as an industrial glue. The smell hung around for a couple of days. Now, 1 week after having received my purchase if I put my nose close to the pad, it still carries the faint smell of industrial glue. I would caution those with allergies and/or asthma to consider this prior to purchase. As an asthmatic I can say it did affect my breathing some what. That seems to have gotten better as the smell has lessened. I have finished with my public health warning. On to the mouse pad.
It is simply the best mouse pad I have ever used. I have had wrist problems for over 4 years now. I have had swelling and pain from my right pinkie finger to my elbow as a result of console gaming and lots of keyboarding work. In the past week my swelling has greatly reduced. My pain is almost gone. My wrist sits perfectly on the wrist rest. The pad actually cradles my wrist. The wrist rest moves with my hand, so well and with so much support, it seems to be an extension of my body. A new improved appendage. I have found myself resting my wrist on the pad even while not computing but just sitting at my desk. It truly is that comfortable. I already have plans to purchase two more for friends as Christmas gifts. Worth Every Cent! Go For It! You Will Not Be Disappointed!
Customer Review: Great pad to let your mouse hang out on
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm glad some reviewers have commented that the wrist pad has lead, and shouldn't be used by those with lead allergies or little children who might eat it.
I'm really happy with this wrist/mouse pad. I spend a lot of time on the computers at home and at work. I had a frozen right shoulder from not having good wrist support and from working with the mouse in the wrong position. I was in screaming pain about about a year. This mousepad helped by providing good wrist support which lowered the stress on my shoulder. I wore out the first Belkin gel pad, and am now on my second.
The gel pad is covered with a nice low friction material, is wide enough so that your wrist isn't stuck in one position, and is neither too hard nor too soft for comfort. The part of the mouse pad where the mouse runs wild and free is also covered with the same low friction silky material so the mouse can be moved easily. It is also cut wider at the top so that the mouse has more room to move, while your arm doesn't have to move as much.
September 2005 -- About a year and a half after I bought my second one, the second got as dirty as six week old bed sheets, the mouse wouldn't slide over it easily, and the wrist pad got almost sticky. I just bought a thrid one.
When this mouse pad wears out, I'll probably buy another of the same. Until they come up with direct mental control over the cursor, this works just fine.
OK. August 2007 -- I spilled Diet Pepsi on it and bought another one. I like this mouse pad!
Customer Review: I love this mouse pad
Summary: 5 Stars
I first bought the Belkin sometime around the turn of the century to address a wrist pain I was starting to get after using a new desk chair. The problem went away instantly and I loved the mouse pad and how my wrist sat on it.
Recently, I noticed how worn out my Belkin had become. Figuring that seven years or so was a good enough run I ordered a replacement - same model, same color, almost exactly the same except their logo had changed. This is a very good mouse pad made out of good materials with good ergonomic support.
If there was to be a gripe about the Belkin it would be that it isn't huge. The size is fine for my purposes, but if you were to make it a little better, extending the mouse surface would be how you'd do it.
On a side note, when ordering my replacement I decided to also get a Belkin keyboard wrist rest (Belkin F8E263-BLK Wave Rest Gel-Filled Cushion Wrist Rest Pad (Black)) for my new keyboard and am also quite pleased with it. Belkin definitely knows their ergonomics.
Customer Review: good wrist support, stylish
Summary: 5 Stars
I live at my computers, so I consider the ergonomics vital. I bought this mousepad explicitly for the wrist-support, which it does very well.
The wrist-portion is firm, with the top flattened and contoured to match the bottom of your wrist. The material in that area is a shiny black finish which seems like it will wear well. It is very firm though, with little-to-no give in the gel, so if you want a cushy support, look elsewhere.
The flat portion of the pad is a little small, so if you have a full-sized mouse set to low-sensitivity, you may run off the edge. The material made some dragging/friction sounds against the bottom of my Logitech MX1100 for the first few days of use but then wore smooth.
Recommended.
Update 03/2010: After more than a year of heavy usage, this mousepad surface and material remain in very good shape, no pilling or discoloring. Still Recommended.