Perfit Mouse and UniTray Ultra-Glide Mouse Pad

By: Kirk Hiner

Developer: Contour Design

Minimum Requirements: Any USB Mac running Mac OS 8.5.1 or later (Apple Game Sprockets v1.7.3 are required for use with Mac OS 8.6) and Contour Overdrive v1.3.7.

Retail Price: Perfit Mouse - $99.99; UniTray - $19.95

Availability: Out now

Believe it or not, there once was a time when I refused to use a mouse when playing games. As when I'm typing, I just preferred to keep both hands on the keyboard. Everything I needed was right there. The keyboard helped me lead Lara Croft through many a harrowing adventure, piloted me through the asteroid laden Maelstrom, and even helped me get past the Skaarj in Unreal.

Lately, however, with games such as Bugdom and Unreal Tournament, I've worked past my bias and embraced the mouse as the input device of choice. It certainly yields better control than the keyboard, and--depending upon the number of buttons--offers a wealth of options at the click of a button. So now the question is no longer, "Should I use a mouse to play this game?" but now "Which mouse should I use to play this game?"

It's actually easier to answer what mouse you shouldn't use. You shouldn't use Apple's. Design be damned, gamers know the one button (or is it now no button?) mouse hasn't been useful since Wolfenstein 3D was all the rage. No, let the kids play their edutainment software with Apple's mouse, you go out and get yourself the Perfit Mouse from Contour Design.

Three buttons. We'll establish that up front. Three completely programmable buttons, all placed on the top of the mouse, not hidden on the side or stuck under a scrolling wheel. All three are nearly the same size, and they're slightly recessed to help distinguish between them in the heat of the battle. No more switching weapons when you thought you were firing your secondary.

I mentioned programmability. It's no secret that gamers like to tweak settings on all of their input devices. One of the best ways to do this with the mouse is through Alessandro Levi Montalcini's USB Overdrive, a $25 shareware application that allows you to use just about any USB input device with your Mac despite a lack of Mac specific drivers. It's a great program that Mac gamers just love (ask anyone using a Logitech mouse). Apparently, Contour Design realized this as well; the Perfit Mouse uses a custom version of USB Overdrive called Contour Overdrive.

Of course, the Perfit is not the only mouse with three programmable buttons. It may be the first, however, to get all three on the mouse without sacrificing comfort. The top center is slightly raised to fit comfortably in your palm or to support the base of your fingers, depending upon how you use it. On the side is a curved rest for you thumb that not only offers additional comfort but also provides a better grip during hardcore gaming. The mouse is also quite wide, so your entire hand is supported.

Okay, so you've used a comfortable mouse before. Fair enough. But did I tell you the Perfit comes in a left hand specific model as well? You left handed Quake III demons can take full advantage of the Perfit's comfort to stay up well past your bedtime.

I know, I know, left handed mice aren't all that uncommon. So then how about sizes? That's right...sizes. The Perfit Mouse comes in five sizes for right handed users (extra-small to extra-large) and three sizes for left handed users (small to large). Now not only the shape but also the size of the mouse can contribute to the comfort of its use. It's no wonder the Perfit won "Best Ergonomic Product" at the International Ergonomics Association's Triennial Congress Exhibition Competition.

Boy. I can't believe I missed that one. Where was the TV coverage?

Of course, a mouse like this can't be used on just any mouse pad, right? Not according to Contour Design who have created the UniTray Ultra-Glide Mouse Pad. This device is more of a mouse pedestal, rising over half an inch above your desk. Unlike normal mouse pads, the UniTray forgoes the cloth covering with plastic beneath a textured sticker (a sticker which fairly quickly started to unpeel in the corners).

The UniTray's key feature is the gel pad at its base. Covered in lycra, it yields just enough to still provide support. And most importantly, it doesn't get in the way of the mouse! The gel pad is recessed far enough (it is adjustable) so the Perfit Mouse, with it's track ball placed towards the front, can glide on top of it without losing contact with mat. That's right, no more picking up the mouse and setting it back down just to move your cursor from the top to the bottom of the screen. Gamers, I don't need to tell you why this is important. I do need to warn you, however, that because the UniTray is taller than it is wide, there is quite a bit of picking up required when moving across the screen. This problem is compounded by the UniTray's height. Too many times I scrolled too far, pushing the mouse off the side of the pad. And when I'm being chased by ants or aliens or what have you, that's the last thing I need.

And although those ergonomic people will tell you otherwise, I've found that wrist pads actually increase discomfort. I'm used to simply raising my wrist off the desk, keeping all pressure off. But I get lazy when I have a pad around, and I let my wrist rest, applying pressure that I wouldn't have otherwise. This started to hurt after a bit, so I switched back to a normal mouse pad.

Huh uh. After using the UniTray, normal mousing surfaces seemed sluggish. The UniTray surface is very slick and responsive. In games where split second timing and quick reactions are a must, the combination of the Perfit Mouse and the UniTray will become more valuable than all those health packs.

I'm not sure if Contour Design created the Perfit Mouse and the UniTray Ultra-Glide Mouse Pad with gamers in mind, but we're all better off for it. I won't say they're the perfect mousing solution for gamers, but in all my years of computer gaming, they're the best I've used.

Like I need another reason to stay up later playing games.

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August 21, 2008