this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2023
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So naturally a mouse pad, as you may be aware, are useful to minimize friction and improve accuracy depending on the type of mouse you use. If you remove the mouse pad entirely, make sure you have a non-reflective and even surfaced desk.
What you are looking for, for lack of a better way to put it, is "mouse feet". My first link that came up appears to have replacement ones for popular mice: https://feetglide.com/product-category/glides/
I found this web site that sells them, but this should help point you in the correct direction. I suspect you can find similar ones at other online retailers.
This looks promising but from what I can see these feet are made with PTFE which is the same material as what is on the bottom of my mouse right now. What I'm looking for would hopefully be something similar to mouse pad material which would both dampen noise and provide that smoother feel.
FWIW my desk is perfectly smooth on top. It's a vintage office desk with a laminate veneer cap which is both level and smooth. I've used my mouse on this top for years with no mouse pad but recently bought one of those oversized LTT-style desk pads (which is great in terms of feel). Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for it to get dirty and it also just isn't super practical to have the elevated edges of the pad on my desk at the moment.
If I could get a similar feel without a mouse pad by using special feet for the mouse, I'd be very happy.
So, mouse pads wear out. They get dirty, they get scuffed, and they eventually need to be replaced. What you're looking for is specialty mouse glides that would likely need to be replaced more frequently than a mouse pad, due to the fact that you'd be moving it around on a surface that isn't as smooth or frictionless as PTFE or glass.
I used to be a part of r/Mouse, and I don't remember anyone talking about cloth glides. You might be better off cutting your own from a mouse pad and using double sided tape, or just cover the entire bottom with a piece that's the same profile as the bottom.
You know that's a really cool idea. I wonder if OP can try this out as a test and see how effective it is. My concern is nailing the fitmet properly while reducing the ability for the "mouse glides" to get snagged on the desk while sliding it around. Seems like a tall order - you can't exactly cut it into strips as you'll need to sew the edges or introduce something that would keep it level and prevent snagging. But that would increase friction.
Wonder if cutting a mousepad into the profile of the mouse and adhering it to the bottom would achieve the effect. If it's a traditional optical or laser mouse is used, would it register motion if the taped surface never moves?
I kind of want to test this out myself lol. But I have a Corsair big mouse mat with RGB that I really like, so I'm not looking to have this as a permanent solution for me - just something I want to play with because I'm very curious.
I think it could work, but you'd definitely need to find a pad that is thick enough to fit the cups that hold the glides (if any) without compressing down to the plastic but is also thin enough not to affect functionality.
It seems like a lot of effort for minimal payback, since you'd have to eventually replace the pads and do all the cutting and finishing probably on a shorter cycle than replacing a traditional mouse pad. But then, I'm not OP, and maybe they prefer the look of no mousepad more.
Yeah, the simplicity of no mouse pad is appealing. The functionality of the entire right side of my desk being useable mouse space is appealing as well. I really should have just bought a mousepad that had a little more height to it to get around this, but I didn't want to literally cover the whole surface of my desk with a pad either.
If you manage to do it, please report back!
I'm 100% going to see if I can facilitate a test like this. I have a cheap amazon mouse and a very thin old mousepad available to cut up.
That's actually what I'm considering trying. I think that might be my best chance at offloading this massive mousepad from my desk at this point. haha