Example methods and apparatus control ratios between a maximum gradient amplitude (MGA) of a readout lobe (G.sub.READ) in a Cartesian continuous sampling read gradient (CSRG) and an MGA of a dephase lobe (G.sub.DEPHASE) in the CSRG and an MGA of a rephase lobe (G.sub.REPHASE) in the CSRG, where the direction of G.sub.READ is opposite to the direction of G.sub.DEPHASE, and G.sub.REPHASE. One example method includes controlling an MR apparatus to produce a CS gradient where G.sub.READ and G.sub.DEPHASE correspond to the first ratio and where G.sub.READ and G.sub.REPHASE correspond to the second ratio. One example method includes controlling the MR apparatus to acquire an MR signal in response to the CS gradient. The MR signal is acquired during the read lobe and during a portion of the dephase lobe and/or the rephase lobe. The method includes selectively altering the ratios based on an SNR ratio associated with the MR signal.