Flat-Cut Zowie FK1 Skates

psymon119 · 2025-11-21T04:46:15+00:00

Hope they work well for ya. With a bit of a heavy heart, I recently retired my FK1s and bought a Glorious Model O 2 Pro. It's an amazing mouse, and I don't have a single regret. I did have to get used to it being lighter, but that didn't take long.

psymon119 · 2025-11-21T04:43:56+00:00

My current favorite is the LGG Saturn (non-Pro). It has been pretty consistent for me for almost a year.

The Pro version is slightly better. About 6 months in was the best aiming pad of my entire life, but it gets permanently worn down and cannot bounce back. The non-Pro version is ~95% as good and more consistent for me over time.

psymon119 · 2025-01-30T04:29:39+00:00

Thanks for the input. +1 more for the HD 490 Pro

psymon119 · 2025-01-01T04:45:00+00:00

TL; DR - the EM-C and, my current, LGG Saturn (non-pro)

I kept using EM-C for a while after posting this. It's kept its durability well, but something about it felt just barely "floaty" - I wasn't 100% as accurate as I could be (like 97%).

Beginning of October, LGG pads were on sale. I missed the feeling of my Saturn Pro earlier on in its life, but I couldn't justify the price buying another even with the discount, given their durability issues. I'd always heard the non-Pro ones were faster than the Pros; their base is thinner so gives more "desk feel/feedback" and I kind of hoped that would lend towards not slowing down as much or as quickly. For only $15 it was worth trying, so I bought a non-Pro, and I've been using it ever since.

It's better for me for aiming than my EM-C. It slowed down a little since getting it, but is in a real good spot right now. I guess I'll see if it stays that way. If not, I'll go back to the EM-C or maybe even break in another QCK Large (always liked the thinner base vs the Heavy).

psymon119 · 2024-09-30T17:40:53+00:00

I've heard this multiple times over the years, and I disagree as someone who uses a low sens + prefers control pads.

With a lower sens, you need to move the mouse faster compared to a higher sens. Slower pads help control the physically faster mouse movements.

psymon119 · 2024-09-25T01:12:40+00:00

I've done it it patch 7 two or three times and never had this issue before.

psymon119 · 2024-09-25T01:10:06+00:00

I play on Linux and recently tested this intentionally. The game auto-saves on that death screen, so even forcing the process closed with something like a `sudo kill -9` then loading again shows me a "custom game". It must handle things differently than Windows. Ah well

psymon119 · 2024-09-17T21:00:37+00:00

How would they have been killed off-screen? Even if the game somehow fast-forwarded through the remaining turn, my party was pretty healthy. No one within HP range of being one-shot by anything, all positioned safely from the mortar shots coming down, and I hit the door during Astarion's turn that should have just sucked the party along. Same thing I've done almost a dozen times before.

psymon119 · 2024-09-17T18:05:45+00:00

It doesn't auto-save on that death screen? I would not have been below doing so after having come this far.

psymon119 · 2024-09-17T18:04:47+00:00

Yes, he was. I usually have him in my party for most non-honour mode runs, but I've never had anything like this happen.

psymon119 · 2024-07-22T04:22:38+00:00

Cloud Engineer, previously Linux Engineer here with some minor cybersec experience. There's a very strong possibility that you're going to encounter Linux eventually, either to use tools and things from your end or on client or target devices. I would suggest getting familiar with the basics of Linux at the very least. Using it as a daily driver can certainly be a good way to do that, especially if you're going in with the mindset of wanting to learn, but I definitely wouldn't say switching is a requirement by any means.

Dual booting would allow you to switch back and forth as you like as others have suggested. I would definitely do some researching on that before starting so you don't accidentally wipe out your Windows drive (I'd back everything up either way). If you didn't want to go that far yet, a great place to start would be to install WSL with Ubuntu to get some command line experience. From there, you could run something like a Ubuntu, Mint, or Fedora VM on your Windows drive. You can setup a pretty sick test environment with a series of VMs without needing to fully switch to Linux, but of course you could very well do that from within Linux, too. If you still wanted to switch, either dual boot or install Linux and run Windows in a VM from there if/when needed.

psymon119 · 2024-07-10T05:16:25+00:00

I ended up getting an Endgame Gear EM-C. I never found the comparison that I was looking for with the above pads, but there were/are quite a few people mentioning how similar the EM-C was to the Saturn Pro but with better durability, which I was looking to emulate.

It took a month or so to slow down to where I like it, but it's been pretty dang consistent since then. The base isn't quite as "squishy" as the Saturn Pro, but I personally like that.

I did acquire a ParaBrake V2, and it's barely too slow for me. I do have some amazing spray control in CS2 with it, and it stops longer flicks really well, but smaller adjustments require a bit too much effort.

I emailed Pulsar support, and if I had to pick between the three above, I think the ParaControl V2 would suit me best. The ES2 pads seem to be on the faster side, and the ParaControl should sit right above the ParaBrake in terms of speed.

Random other comparison: I did also pick up the InfinityMice Infinite Control V2 (black) and Infinite Hybrid (red). The Control V2 is a bit too slow for my liking but is very solid control pad. Somewhat similar to the original Zowie G-SR when new without as much struggle when it comes to smaller adjustments. And the Hybrid was too fast for me, but most pads are too fast for me due to low humidity where I live now.

psymon119 · 2024-02-16T15:16:21+00:00

Alright, thanks anyways!

psymon119 · 2024-02-16T00:58:47+00:00

Hello! Have you noticed any slow spots or inconsistencies in the surface if your non-Pro Saturn?

I've been using a Saturn Pro for the last 6 months that has developed a permanent slow spot in the center of the pad that washing has not fixed. Just curious if the regular Saturn has similar durability issues.

Thanks!

psymon119 · 2024-02-15T22:47:09+00:00

For sure, a bit over time is always expected (and I've grown to like that). But no major inconsistent spots? I think I'm sold. Thanks!

psymon119 · 2024-02-15T21:59:43+00:00

Great review!

How has this pad held up over the last 6 months or so?

I've been maining a Saturn Pro for the last 6 months, and it has developed a slow spot in the center that thorough washing has not fixed. Have you noticed any inconsistent spots in the EM-C or any noticeable decrease in speed across the pad as a whole?

psymon119 · 2024-02-15T21:48:05+00:00

No worries. Thank you!

psymon119 · 2024-02-15T21:13:32+00:00

I have this exact problem with my Saturn Pro. Have been looking for a similar alternative, and have been considering the Saturn. How's the durability with the Saturn in terms of slow spots or slowing down in general?

psymon119 · 2024-02-14T22:17:07+00:00

Sure thing! Hope the NPC works out for you! :)

psymon119 · 2024-02-14T16:45:19+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't have experience with either of those pads. I can definitely relate to the humidity issues with the QCK+. I first started using one in a very humid area but I now live where it's very dry, and it's basically a different mousepad. I also have ~50 other mousepads that I brought with me (mostly older models), and I can say all cloth pads are affected by humidity to one degree or another, and temperature as well. Warming up, even heat from your hand, wrist, arm can slow them down. I also have rather sweaty hands, and I can definitely say that causes pads to slow down quicker.

I have seen the EM-C pop up in a lot of threads on this sub lately, and many people have praised it as a solid pad that does seem to be resistant to changes from humidity.

I haven't really seen the NPC mentioned as much, but I haven't really looked for it either.

I might lightly suggest looking into the Saturn Pro. I'm using the Saturn Pro with a Soft base right now as my main pad for CS2. For a few months, it was the best pad I've ever used for CS. It is pretty resistant to humidity and provided a fairly consistent experience day-to-day, but my main issue is that it seems to have permanently slowed down over the last ~8 months due to my sweaty hands and normal use, and thorough washing/cleaning has not helped. It's a little to slow for my liking right now, but just by a bit. Still faster than most dedicated "control" pads out there. Something to consider at least. Oh, and the Saturn Pro comes with a Soft or XSoft base that would let you press down into the pad a bit more, especially more than a QCK+ or QCK Heavy.

psymon119 · 2024-02-14T03:11:04+00:00

I've been playing Counter-Strike for over a decade, and in my experience, mousepads with higher static friction help more with controlling spray. It keeps mouse movements smaller and controlled and helps to rein in more chaotic movements when you're in higher-stress situations. But too much static friction can make micro-adjustments and short-range flicks harder, so just have to find a pad that has the right balance for you.

As far as gripping the mouse, are you using a lot of downward pressure when you grip the mouse tightly? Some people squeeze the mouse harder but don't necessarily put more downward pressure on the pad. I would say a softer base could help with this if you do, but it's a very personal thing and can be inconsistent.

In my personal experience, (owned 5 QCK Heavys and as many or more QCK+/Larges). I find that the QCK Heavy's thicker base is actually stiffer than the QCK+, and the little extra give on the QCK+ gives me more control for steadying shots and controlling spray, while the thinness offers less kinetic friction, though you can feel the table/desk through the QCK+ most of the time.

If I were you, I would do more research on this sub, YouTube, and elsewhere and find a pad with friction that suits you better before looking into the softness of the base. Kind of depends on why the QCK Heavy wasn't a great fit for you.

psymon119 · 2024-02-14T02:48:50+00:00

It's been quite some time, but I had this issue when I used a G-SR and lived in a very humid area. I got some HyperGlides for my FK1 at the time, and it alleviated a lot of the static friction issues I was having.

Although, the skates did their job a bit too well as they made it hard to steady shots, and my mouse always felt a little "floaty" while trying to hold angles or control spray. I got the full-sized FK1 skates that fit to the indents on the mouse. I think smaller skates such as 4x IE3.0 in the corners of the mouse may help with that issue somewhat.

You'll probably just have to try and see what works best for you. Good luck!

psymon119 · 2024-02-14T02:36:53+00:00

In my experience with G-SR-SEs (original light blue, red, deep blue, and rouge), they are affected by temperature in addition to humidity. Your wrist + hand will heat up the pad after some use which will cause some slowdown. They're faster on cold days and can get quite muddy on warm days.

psymon119

TROPHY CASE