Giving the ROCCAT Sota a good performance test will help us identify any potential problems and also determine whether or not it’s a good surface to go for. Mouse pad tests are subjective in a sense, but the opinion by myself will be projected by using the mouse pad with two different mice and in two different environments.

Testing Mice
• ROCCAT Kova
• CM Storm Sentinel Advance

Environments
• Gaming
• Graphic design

Using a laser mouse and an optical mouse should give a nice variation in tracking. The movements that are using in gaming and graphic design are worlds apart, and so, this will also present good test feedback.

Gaming
Loading up Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the initial usage was noticeably improved. Glide is exceptional, the granular surface provides good contact for both mice. Although it has to be said the ROCCAT Kova did work slightly better due to the feet (this mouse is actually designed to match up with the Sota). Tracking was also faultless. The underside of the Sota is kept firmly secure on the desk due to the rubberized material, even in the most intense of situations when the mouse is being pushing in various directions the Sota remains still.

Graphic design
Cutting out objects and the requirement for extreme care with brush strokes is important when you are wanting to create good work inside a graphics package, and even more so for myself as I am a perfectionist! The Sota can be relied upon in this department too, it yields some very accurate mouse movement. The integrated metal foil helps reflect the light on both the optical and laser sensor in both mice tested.


The ROCCAT Sota, acommpanied by ROCCAT\\\'s new gaming mouse the Kova

Conclusion
ROCCAT have brought an innovative new product to the table in the Sota. Visually it has a minimalist design, is very pleasing to the eye and will look great next to your other hardware on the desk.

The top side provides an exception surface to keep you on top of your game, whilst the base will remain firmly in place thanks to the substantial rubberized material. It’s remarkable that such a thin pad (3mm) can unite both hard and soft in such a small amount of space. It works well.

The ROCCAT Sota currently sits at £16.99 at Play.com. Even with this being lower than the RRP it could prove an issue with some compared to what you can get at a smaller cost – although, I can vouch that this pad is exceptional and you won’t be disappointed by its performance.

Pros
[+] Great looking
[+] Innovative
[+] Excellent accuracy, glide and tracking
[+] Works well with many mice

Cons
[-] A touch expensive
[-] Difficult to get into the packaging

We would like to thank ROCCAT for providing this sample. Discuss this review on our forums