Sharkoon has been represented on the market since 2003 with gaming products “Designed in Germany” – primarily known for their cases, peripherals and power supplies. With the new logo and reworked features, Sharkoon is now rolling out the 1337 mouse pad in a new form, as the 1337 “v2”. In addition to the new design, the price has also been adjusted downwards – especially the RGB version slides into attractive price regions.
Whether the product can maintain the positive test result of our old report on the 1337 XXL, you’ll find out here in the test – again with the XXL versions.
Specifications
| 1337 v2 RGB | 1337 v2 | |
| Surface: | textile | |
| Available sizes: | 360 (360 x 270 x 3 mm) 800 (800 x 300 x 3 mm) 900 (900 x 425 x 3 mm) |
M (280 x 195 x 1.4 mm) L (355 x 255 x 1.4 mm) XL (444 x 355 x 2.4 mm) XXL (900 x 400 x 2.4 mm) |
| Height: | 3 mm | 1.4 mm (M,L), 2.4 mm (XL, XXL) |
| Features: | non-slip rubber underside, water-repellent surface | |
| Illumination: | yes | no |
| Sewing: | “Durable-Stitch” | laser cut edges |
| Price: |
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Design and workmanship
Basically, the appearance is just as you expect it to be. The mouse pad is kept in plain black, the RGB version carries the Sharkoon lettering on the RGB connector, the plain version carries this lettering including the new logo on the lower left side.
The second visible difference is that the RGB version has a kind of “LED tube” sewn into it. Both mouse pads have a non-slip underside, so that a firm hold on the desk is guaranteed. This is taken from the previous version of the series and is one of the features that no good mouse pad should be without. The connection cable is sleeved, looks and feels high-quality.
The edges of the non-RGB version are laser-cut and these are also cleanly workmanship. With a thickness of 1,4 – 3mm the mouse pads belong to the thinner ones on the market and therefore provide a relatively even feeling on the desk.
Sharkoon has made several changes, especially to the version with lighting. The power cable is now removable, and a normal micro-USB plug is used as the connection. If necessary, one would thus have the option of changing the cable. In addition, the 800 version has a new size – it’s narrower and less deep – so there is also a version for users of smaller desks who still don’t want to miss the feeling of an “XXL” mouse pad.
At this point, as with the first version of the product, we have nothing to complain about.
Lighting
Sharkoon has also revised the lighting. There are several new modes – in addition to static colors, there are now pulsating colors and a rainbow color gradient and rotating colors. Nevertheless, the functionalities are limited. If you would like to adapt this to the RGB control of the mainboard, you will search in vain. If you prefer static colors, this is no problem.
These are changed by pressing the power buttons. If you want to deactivate the RGB function, simply press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
Single LEDs or similar are not visible – the LED ring is evenly illuminated and shines adequately. There is no glare, but even in daylight the illumination is clearly visible. Sharkoon has found a good middle ground here. With most tables, a slight “glow” is created on the table through the alignment of the LEDs – it should be noted that this is far less noticeable in real life.
Of course, it’s difficult to show the visible neatly in photos. To give different impressions, we have photographed the mousepad under different lighting scenarios and on different backgrounds in order to deliver a picture that is as round as possible.
Practice test
Sharkoon has continued to make improvements to the gliding ability of the mouse pad. Compared to the “Budget” series SGP1, one notices a significant increase and thus gets a better feeling. It should be said, however, that this also depends on the mouse used.
Furthermore, one should point out the water-repellent surface. If the mousepad gets dirty, you can easily wipe it off without having to dry it separately. Especially if you eat something in front of your computer, this is very practical.
Due to the different sizes, practically no wish remains unfulfilled. The huge XXL, or 900 version gives a lot of space, but also the smaller versions have their right to exist – after all, not everyone has endless space on their desk.
Conclusion
At the end of the day it is and remains a mouse pad. Nevertheless it convinces with its perfect workmanship, a quite solid price and a striking illumination.
Although you make a small sacrifice in terms of compatibility with the rest of your lighting setup – you still get a mature product. In everyday use it scores with its very good gliding properties, its non-slip surface on the desk and its water-repellent surface.
Due to the combination of optics, workmanship and price we give our Gold-Award. Sharkoon shows once again that quality and a low price can go together. All in all a successful refresh – improved features at an improved price. Super!
Sharkoon 1337 v2 RGB
Design and workmanship
Lighting
Practical suitability / Features
Value for money
92/100
Adjusted price, adjusted lighting - a successful refresh!
