A while ago I reviewed a couple of Mionix’s products – the Saiph 3200 mouse and the Alioth 320 mousepad. Both were very good and a promising start to Mionix’s new range and since then they’ve gone from strength to strength.
As well as the plastic-coated Alioth they’ve released the Sargas mousepad, which caters for players who want a nicely-padded cloth mousepad. There’s also the Mionix Propus 380 mousepad, another plastic-coated pad that offers the benefits of a hard pad with some of the comfort of a flexible pad and that’s what I’m reviewing here.
So What’s The Propus 380 Like?
First impressions are good. The Propus 380 comes in a smart cardboard box in Mionix’s usual style – matt black with just a picture of the mousepad and its name. There are no claims that this mousepad will turn you into a gaming god overnight, which makes a refreshing change when compared to the marketing used by a lot of other brands.
Open the box and there is the Propus, neatly wrapped in tissue for added protection. There was also a strong whiff emanating from the box, similar to emulsion paint, but it’s the sort of smell that tells you that this is new and fresh from the factory.
The Propus is made of three pieces. The top surface is a thin sliver of silver-metallic plastic with a very slightly grainy texture. The middle section, a bright green piece of PVC plastic, gives the Propus its stiffness as well as an interesting feature around the edge of the pad.
Finally, the bottom layer is a piece of foam. It allows the Propus to conform to slightly uneven surfaces and also helps it to grip and stay in place on your desk. The construction is top-notch – there’s no sense that the three layers will start peeling apart as soon as you start using it.
The Propus measures 380mm x 260mm and is 4mm thick. The large area is great for gamers who like to make big arm movements but obviously requires you to have enough room on your desk to accommodate it.
Using The Propus 380
The only true test of a mousepad is whether or not it makes any noticeable difference to the feel of the mouse. The surface of the pad should bring out the best of the mouse’s sensor and it should allow the mouse to move freely. On both counts the Propus scores very well. Despite the textured surface, my Logitech G500 glided across the surface of the Propus with ease, so no problems there.
The sensor did seem slightly more sensitive and at one point I was considering turning it down from my usual setting (around 1800dpi). When I lifted it off the Propus and put it onto the surface of my desk there was a noticeable drop in response, but this was to be expected – my desk has a slightly shiny surface that can sometimes confuse mice.
Is It Worth Buying A Propus 380?
The Mionix Propus 380 is most certainly a quality mouse pad. It feels well built and it provides a great surface for your mouse. The only niggling doubt I have is the retail price of $25 but when you look at the competition it’s not too bad. It’s noticeably cheaper than the Razer Scarab (at almost $40) and only slightly more expensive than the Roccat Sota ($20).
Of course, different gamers have different needs and the Propus will only work for you if you want a hard pad and you’ve enough space to position it properly on your computer desk/dining room table/bedroom floor (delete as appropriate). However, if a hard mousepad is what you want the Propus 380 is a worthy contender.
A big thanks to Gaming Hardware & Peripherals Specialist Store – Mason Gaming for providing the Mionix Propus 380 mousepad for review.
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