I was about that simmilar situation 3 weeks ago.
I decided to get G-TF speed beacause regular G-TF has been discounted and I've heard that the regular G-TF have bad base.

Well, I dont like it, already gave it to friend who use the mx518.

Main reason it beacause of its lack of control / friction.
Another reason is the bad base, I tend to put in on my another pads beacase I like the thickness feeling and tthe G-TF is quite thin, so its just glide off my table and falling away but when I put it normally on the table (no on the another pads) its stay on and not move.

So:
+Very nice Glide.
+Works well with most of my mice (technically speaking here, high maximum speed)
-Too low friction


Hopes that my english didn't make me being misunderstood.

Thanks, avinin.

Did you notice a difference between the lift-off distance between the two pads (using the same mouse)?

And do you feel that the Speed version has a LOT lower friction than the original version?

NP.

Sorry, I've had only the G-TF Speed, I dont remember about the G-TF beacause I've used it for like 5mins on lan.

Anyways, in this situation I think you force to go on the Speed version beacause as I said, G-TF is discounted.

All I can tell you is that the G-TF speed has very fast glide and very low friction.


What are you basically looking for? high friction? low friction? fast glide? smooth? rough?
I would check:
Puretrak Talent
Razer Goliathus speed
QcK(not editions please!) @hyperglides.
I-2.
QPAD UC.

AND IF POSSIBLE - Everglide DKT or Everglide Titan.

Well, I'm actually looking for very low friction.

So it might be OK for me, this pad.

I really wanted a Artisan pad, but those Japanese newbz probably will never get around to selling their pads in Europe - or even in the US now. I gave up on them.
So, am looking for alternatives.

Looking for somethign with very low friction - and very durable.

I have the icemat. But the lift off distance is terrible - for me.
I want high lift-off. I tend to lift the mouse quite a bit when using LG, SG and RL.

On the icemat, my mouse frequently stops tracking, 'cos I lift the mouse too high.
On the Zowie mat, the same mouse has a lovely high LoD. (mouse is Razer DA btw)

DA has pretty high LoD on pretty much everything, including artisan hien pads, if you want minimum friction and cloth surface artisan hayate is your best bet http://www.overclock.net/t/1114195/review-of-artisan-hayate

Hien isn't that fast and its very rough surface might annoy your skin, for example i don't remember any discomfort when my pinky happened to slide across G-TF's rough surface, but hien and hien VE pads are even rougher to the touch, sandpaper like !

what about xtrac hybrid ? wore out i guess ? :p

I'd get an Artisan, if it was possible to buy one.

Yes, X-trac is long worn out. :p
Wore out very quickly, in fact.