{"id":22943,"date":"2010-12-21T15:00:14","date_gmt":"2010-12-21T15:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=22943"},"modified":"2010-12-22T06:13:17","modified_gmt":"2010-12-22T06:13:17","slug":"mionix-sargas-360-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/mionix-sargas-360-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Mionix Sargas 360 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\ngoogle_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\";\n\/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/\ngoogle_ad_slot = \"1949837292\";\ngoogle_ad_width = 468;\ngoogle_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Today I will be giving you some insight on a cool new gaming surface, the <strong>Mionix Sargas 360<\/strong>. I gave a little teaser about it in a previous article on the <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=21877\" target=\"_blank\">Mionix Naos 5000 Gaming Mouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas_360_top.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas_360_top\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas_360_top_thumb.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas_360_top\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Sargas 360 is a classy gaming surface that claims to improve gaming control and accuracy. This review seeks to either prove or disprove that claim but before I get into the actual usage, here is a little about the company behind it.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\">About Mionix<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: inline; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"title\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/top_h_11.png?resize=300%2C90\" border=\"0\" alt=\"alt\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\">A STAR HAS BEEN BORN<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\"><br \/>\nStars have always been important to every culture or ideology. In many regions they were also identified with gods, spirits, mysticism and priests by their people. Stars have been used in religious practices but even for navigation for hundreds of years. Many stars and even our sun have their own myths and the most prominent stars were also given powerful names. In some cultures stars were thought to be the souls of dead kings and gods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\">Just like many prominent stars, our products have their own myths, characteristics and capabilities. This is why we give our products names after the most prominent stars and this is why stars are important to our culture and ideology.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\"> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\">MIONIX \u2013 LIGHT-YEARS AHEAD OF THE GAME<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\"><br \/>\nOur goal from the very start is to develop quality products with an original design. It is also very important to us that we develop innovative products with unique features that users all over the world can identify themselves with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #99ccff;\">We love our work and Mionix will always stay true to gaming. Our products are not only the result of hard work, it is also our shared vision and a deep passion for what we do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Introduction--><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Features &#038; Specifications--><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\ngoogle_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\";\n\/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/\ngoogle_ad_slot = \"1949837292\";\ngoogle_ad_width = 468;\ngoogle_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Features and Specifications<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mionix has always had an interesting naming scheme along with an even more interesting story behind every product. Check out what they have to say about the Sargas 360.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>A STAR HAS BEEN BORN<\/strong><br \/>\nSargas belongs to the constellation Scorpius and ca be found in the tail of the scorpion. Its name is of unknown meaning but the star also carries another name, Girtab, that means simple The Scorpion. Sargas is invisible north of 50 degrees north latitude due to its southern position. Sargas is evolving rapidly towards lower temperatures and when the surface cools down the star grows bigger and over time it will become 5 times brighter than it is now.<\/p>\n<p><strong>MODEL OVERVIEW<\/strong><br \/>\nSargas 360 is made of a durable cloth material with slightly more friction than coated mousepads. A special micro fibre surface counteracts data loss and improves the sensor tracking performance. The underside is made of a rubber-based material offering a firm grip irrespective of the surface under the mousepad or extensive movements.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Now here are the official features and specs.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>FEATURES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <strong>Micro fibre surface<\/strong><br \/>\nMicro fibre surface to improve the sensor tracking performance<br \/>\n\u2022 <strong>Optimized for control<\/strong><br \/>\nOptimized friction to improve the control over the movements<br \/>\n\u2022 <strong>Rubber-based underside<\/strong><br \/>\nRubber-based underside for a firm grip on all surfaces<br \/>\n\u2022 <strong>Suited for normal desktops<\/strong><br \/>\nDimensions: 360mm x 305mm<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"2\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"550\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"183\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3601.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 1\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3601_thumb.jpg?resize=180%2C240\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"183\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3602.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 2\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3602_thumb.jpg?resize=180%2C240\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 2\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"183\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3603.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 3\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3603_thumb.jpg?resize=180%2C240\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 3\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Material:<\/strong> Durable, smooth and flexible cloth<br \/>\n<strong>Surface:<\/strong> Uncoated \/ semi rigid<br \/>\n<strong>Dimensions:<\/strong> 360mm x 305mm<br \/>\n<strong>Thickness:<\/strong> 3mm<br \/>\n<strong>Back:<\/strong> based back for a firm grip on all types of surfaces<br \/>\n<strong>Compatibility:<\/strong> Optical &amp; laser<\/p>\n<p>Now that you know all about it, let me tell you about how well it performs.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Actual Usage--><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\ngoogle_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\";\n\/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/\ngoogle_ad_slot = \"1949837292\";\ngoogle_ad_width = 468;\ngoogle_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Actual Usage<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I had fun using this gaming surface. First off is its modest and conservative styling. Some may say that it is rather plain but keep in mind you will be staring at your screen, not your mousepad. Functionality is what they went for here and there are no complaints from this reviewer.<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"2\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"550\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"275\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 4\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3604_thumb.jpg?resize=240%2C180\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 4\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"275\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3605.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 5\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3605_thumb.jpg?resize=240%2C180\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 5\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The firm grip at the back did exactly that. It gripped firmly to the surface and it did not shift, not even once. The rubber-based underside makes it steady and gives you the peace of mind that you won\u2019t be sliding all over the place while trying to get in that headshot.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3606.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 6\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3606_thumb.jpg?resize=480%2C120\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 6\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While playing a few shooters, I was pleased to find that the tracking was very accurate and that I was able to acquire targets easily. This was due to the consistency of the surface.<\/p>\n<p>The pad tracks well but I did notice that a laser mouse performs a bit better than an optical mouse. This determination was achieved by turning the DPI settings on the laser mouse down to about 800dpi, which is about the same as a high performance optical mouse.<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"2\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"550\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"275\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas_360_sideview_1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas_360_sideview_1\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas_360_sideview_1_thumb.jpg?resize=240%2C160\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas_360_sideview_1\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"275\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas_360_sideview_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas_360_sideview_2\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas_360_sideview_2_thumb.jpg?resize=240%2C160\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas_360_sideview_2\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>I then tested several dpi settings by playing a few games (a FPS, a RTS and a RPG) and taking careful note of how well the response was. Both did well but my findings show that the laser mouse tracked better at the higher dpi settings. However, if you have an optical mouse (~800dpi) there should be no worries because the performance is more than acceptable.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Conclusion--><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\ngoogle_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\";\n\/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/\ngoogle_ad_slot = \"1949837292\";\ngoogle_ad_width = 468;\ngoogle_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Sargas 360 <\/strong>gets high marks for control and accuracy. Both laser and optical mice perform very well on this gaming surface. The design itself is subtle, yet it is perfectly up to the challenge of high performance gaming. The materials used are durable and the firm-grip rubber base is great.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3607.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Sargas 360 - 7\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas3607_thumb.jpg?resize=400%2C300\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Sargas 360 - 7\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Pros:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Modest design that will even please non-gamers<\/li>\n<li>Rubber underside stops it from sliding around<\/li>\n<li>Surface really can improve control and accuracy<\/li>\n<li>Mouse movements are very smooth and consistent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Cons:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>May be too big for persons with a small desk space<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To make it short and sweet\u2026for $15, the Sargas 360 is a great gaming surface and I fully recommend it!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"Recommended\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Recommended.png?resize=150%2C251\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Recommended\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Leon Hyman<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><em>Senior Editor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Please join us in our <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/abt\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Forums<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Become a Fan on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142', 'Facebook']);\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Follow us on <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech', 'Twitter']);\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For the latest updates from ABT, please <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?feed=rss2\" target=\"_blank\">join our RSS News Feed<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Join our Distributed Computing teams<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Folding@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 164304<\/li>\n<li>MilkyWay@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 3090<\/li>\n<li>SETI@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 138705<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1', 'World Community Grid &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech']);\" target=\"_blank\">World Community Grid &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=22943\"><img decoding=\"async\" align=top title=\"Author: Leon Hyman\" src=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Sargas-360-Article-Image.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2533,7814,5],"tags":[4348,2121,2331,4279,4347],"class_list":["post-22943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abt-news","category-articles","category-gaming","tag-gaming-surface","tag-mionix","tag-mouse-pad","tag-naos-5000","tag-sargas-360"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22943\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}