Cerapad Kin v2 — a fully-controlled glass pad that could have been my main
When it comes to gaming or precision tasks, finding the perfect fast mousepad can be a challenge. I’ve tested a wide array of options, and a significant number of them have proven to be too fast and uncontrollable, especially during critical moments. Cloth pads, while initially reliable, often lose their consistency over time. Enter the Cerapad Kin v2 from TJExclusives — a company renowned for their high-quality Plastix Skates. This is their second iteration of the Cerapad, promising improved durability and performance. Could this be the consistent and dependable solution we’ve been looking for? Let’s dive into the details and find out.
From my previous review of Plastix Skates you should already know TJExclusives — a new, family esports start-up from the USA that is making its way to the gaming peripherals world with style. Here’s the second iteration of their flagship products — Cerapad Kin v2.
Product specs
- Packaging: Flat; Tall Cardboard Box
- Surface-Type: Ceramic Mixed w/ Metallic (Tempered-glass core)
- Dimensions: Original — 355x305mm, Plutonium — 405x355mm (my choice), Platinum — 405x405mm, Iridium — 505x405mm, Osmium — 605x405mm, Osmium Square — 505x505mm
- Color Options: Grey, White, Red, Blue, Pink, Green, Orange, Yellow.
- Customization: Personalized Ceramic Engraving (Text, Font, & Logo); your name will be placed in the lower left corner. Customization is free of charge
- Base: 4 Corner Thin Rubber Feet
- Price: $50-$124.99; depending on size. Custom tax may apply as well.
Testing scenarios
Zowie EC1-C + Pulsar Superglides 1, Mchose AX5 Pro Max + stock skates, Viper V2 Pro + Plastix Skates, Incott Ghero Pro + stock skates, Rapoo VT1 Pro Max + Plastix Skates
Gaming sleeve: TJExclusives Gaming Sleeve
Temperature: 21–26 degrees, humidity 40–60%
How it is packed
The Cerapad KIN was well-protected during its journey from the USA to Poland, arriving without a scratch. It came packaged in a straightforward cardboard box, with careful packing. Inside, the KIN was double-boxed and wrapped in bubble wrap for extra security. The unboxing process was straightforward: you open the bigger box to find a smaller, suspended box containing the KIN, safely cushioned with bubble wrap. The pack is pretty heavy, just like the pad itself.
What the surface is like
The Cerapad KIN’s surface features a ceramic coating (glass based) with metal flakes to boost durability and control. That’s the actual difference between Cerapad Kin v1 (discontinued) and v2. The surface is pretty cool to the touch, however, once you put your hand or fingers onto it, it starts to absorb heat and it can get sticky (hence, a gaming sleeve is a must!). The pad also requires a short “break-in” period (according to TJExclusives around a few hours) during which the pad will speed up a little. Be careful to avoid touching the pad while gaming because that may cause some mud spots which affect the consistency very much. Therefore, the Cerapad Kin v2 is a high-maintenance pad because you will have to clean it every day as it is very sensitive to dirt, mud, dust and oil from your fingertips.
Dynamic friction and Stopping Power
In first-person shooter (FPS) games, dynamic friction is a key element that affects a player’s ability to make fluid and consistent movements. Dynamic friction refers to the resistance encountered when a mouse is already in motion. It plays a significant role in how smoothly and predictably a player can navigate their environment and track moving targets, for example with their LG which is the most powerful hit-scan weapon in QuakeWorld.
The Cerapad KIN v2 excels in providing pretty balanced dynamic friction, ensuring that once you get the mouse moving, it glides smoothly with minimal resistance. This balanced dynamic friction remains consistent throughout the entire range of motion, allowing for precise and controlled movements. This consistency is crucial in FPS games, where sudden changes in movement or speed can throw off your aim and reaction time.
One of the key benefits of the Cerapad KIN v2’s balanced dynamic friction is how well it combines with its excellent stopping power. Stopping power refers to the ability to quickly and accurately halt the mouse at the desired point. This is particularly important when aiming at targets or making quick adjustments during gameplay (flicks, headshots etc). The Cerapad KIN v2 allows players to stop their mouse precisely where needed, enhancing accuracy and control. It’s like a slow “cloth” pad but actually with a hard surface.
However, it’s important to remember that the performance of the Cerapad KIN v2 can be affected by the condition of your mouse skates and the surface of the pad itself. Worn-out skates or slow spots on the pad can disrupt the smoothness and consistency of your movements which happened to me but more on that later.
Tip: clean this pad everyday and replace the skates if necessary!
Static Friction
On the other hand, static friction plays a crucial role in determining a player’s control and accuracy. Static friction refers to the resistance to movement that a mouse experiences when it is at rest. This resistance affects how easily and precisely a player can initiate movement and make fine adjustments, which are critical for aiming and tracking opponents.
The Cerapad KIN v2 offers an ideal balance between control and speed, making it an excellent choice for FPS gamers. Unlike other mouse pads that may lean towards either low or high static friction, the Cerapad KIN v2 strikes a perfect equilibrium. This balance allows for smooth, controlled movements without sacrificing speed, enabling gamers to react quickly and accurately in fast-paced scenarios.
One of the standout features of the Cerapad KIN v2 is how it facilitates micro-adjustments. These small, precise movements are essential when aiming, especially for pinpoint accuracy, headshots and tracking scenarios. The ceramic-coated surface with metal flakes ensures that these adjustments can be performed effortlessly, giving players a significant edge in maintaining their aim on a moving target. Once you have your crosshairs on an enemy, they stay precisely where they need to be, thanks to the pad’s balanced friction.
In conclusion, static friction is a vital factor in FPS games, influencing a player’s ability to control and aim their weapon. The Cerapad KIN v2, with its balanced friction, makes micro-adjustments easy and ensures that your crosshairs remain steady. But you will have to take care of your Cerapad every day, I remind you.
Performance
- Glass skates (Superglides 1 from Pulsar): someone said that you should never use glass skates on glass/ceramic/hard pads due to potential degradation of skates/mousepads. While I didn’t test that out long enough to check whether that held true, I have to say that Pulsar Superglides 1 were actually the quietest skates out of all skates I tested with Cerapad. How was it in gaming? Well, a bit uncontrollable, I’m afraid. While micro adjustments were absolutely insane, I felt that I lost a bit of touch of that control you need to be precise and quick. A bit like ice-skating, I’d say. Static and dynamic friction were really low, stopping power was unfortunately too low as well.
- Stock PTFE skates (Mchose AX5 Pro Max and Incott Ghero): using large PTFE skates on the Cerapad KIN v2 provided some of the best results I’ve experienced. The combination of these skates with the KIN v2’s surface offered incredible control while maintaining an ideal glide. This balance made movements smooth and precise, enhancing overall gameplay. However, I did notice that over time, the PTFE skates began to degrade slightly. As they wore down, their performance diminished, affecting the smoothness of the glide. Additionally, the Cerapad KIN v2 developed a visible shine in areas that were frequently used, indicating wear on the pad itself. This wear can impact the consistency of the surface, potentially affecting performance. Despite these issues, the initial performance with large PTFE skates on the Cerapad KIN v2 was exceptional, offering a combination of control and glide that is hard to match. Regular maintenance, including replacing worn skates and cleaning the pad, is essential to maintaining this high level of performance.
- Plastix Skates from TJExclusives (Viper v2 Pro and Rapoo Vt1 Pro Max): for optimal performance on the Cerapad KIN v2, using Plastix Skates from TJExclusives is probably the best option. These skates, advertised as being 15 times more resistant to wear and tear, lived up to their claims. They left almost no visible marks on the pad or on themselves, ensuring long-lasting performance. It’s important to note that Plastix skates are DOTS, meaning their gliding surface is smaller compared to large PTFE skates. This smaller surface area can slightly alter performance since larger skates generally offer more control. However, the durability of Plastix skates compensates for this difference, reducing the risk of damaging both the skates and the Cerapad KIN v2. Given these factors, the trade-off is worth it. The reduced wear and tear ensure a consistent gaming experience without the need for frequent replacements. Therefore, despite the slight difference in control, Plastix skates are indeed the best option for maintaining the Cerapad KIN v2’s performance and longevity.
Bullet points
- new V2 surface with added metallic flakes for more control and looks
- incredibly accurate tracking if you know how to take care of the pad
- most controlled hard pad I’ve ever tried, even after the break-in period
- super tough, great build quality, resistant to weather
- hand made in the USA
- this pad needs very high maintenance or you will lose consistency
- works best with large PTFE skates or Plastix skates (the performance is a bit different though)
- can be customized to your liking for free (great feature!)
- TJExclusives’ support is top-notch, if you ever need them
- gaming sleeve is a must
- avoid touching the pad with your fingertips/hand because it will create mud spots on the surface and ruin your consistency
- in places of frequent use, the pad may develop a certain shine (not affecting the glide though)
- avoid swiping the pad too hard while cleaning, it might cause some decolorization
Final thoughts
Is it my new main then? Well, yes and no. Here’s why — the Cerapad Kin v2 mousepad is an exceptional product, highly regarded for its superior performance and quality. no doubt about it. As someone who has tested it extensively, I found it to be an almost perfect choice for my main mousepad. However, there’s one significant issue that affects my gaming performance. My relaxed finger/claw grip style causes my right pinky to rest very close to the pad surface, often touching and gliding on it.
This contact results in mud/dirt spots on the pad within just 1–2 hours of gaming. These spots drastically reduce consistency and performance. Despite frequent wiping and cleaning, the natural grease from fingertips makes the residue stick stubbornly to the pad.
Due to this issue, I haven’t fully transitioned to using the Cerapad Kin v2 as my main mousepad and continue to search for a solution, perhaps a mouse modification that could alleviate this problem. If not for this hindrance, I would have adopted the Cerapad Kin v2 months ago for good. For those whose grip style does not lead to this problem, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Cerapad Kin v2. It is, without a doubt, the most outstanding hard mousepad available today.
If you are interested in Cerapad Kin v2 — get it here from the original Cerapad website
Disclaimer: And remember, this is just one gamer’s point of view — no sponsorships, no ads, just straight talk from someone who’s been in the QuakeWorld trenches. This was my own opinion and the manufacturer didn’t influcence me in any way. Your mileage may vary, so take my words as a starting point, not gospel. Happy gaming!