Most consistent version of the double lookup mantis early control setup I've found. Buffer a jump after dashing over the ledge at the top, then wait until you start falling to dash/inventory. Start with a minihop if the mantis attacks. The mantis should be visible every time with this setup, allowing you to use the same visual cues.
6Slightly more consistent version of the lookup early control found by Lep which uses a second lookup for a visual cue, rather than a nailslash setup.
For a visual cue I wait for the mantis's head to be past the ledge as shown in the screenshot, then use the same one as before for the second lookup.
9Something very silly for y'all, this is a look up method for timing mantis early control. The lure is irrelevant, but after you've done whatever lure you're using, use the right analog stick (or an equivalent bind in virtual controller software) to immediately look up. Dash over to the pickup when the mantis's head/neck is at the line in the wall marked in the screenshot. This is just the cue I've found; there's likely an easier one to see for runs and this could easily be adapted for a super early EC like in RoomSoB.
This should allow for more consistent dash timing since it doesn't hinge on your reaction time for the mantis flying onscreen like conventional setups. It also saves 0.2s over that conventional setup.
4