Ugh. If you follow all the 'terrified' advice online then yes, you should stick to the 1:1 ratio because that's what the USDA says.
Keep in mind that if what the USDA says is correct then most of our ancestors and the entire continent of Europe should be dead. Essentially the USDA is trying to prevent natural selection from increasing the intelligence of the population.
I agree that 1:1 is horrible for pickles. Using that ratio you could pickle plastic and it would taste the same.
I use 2:3 vinegar to water. If you still don't like the sourness then add 1-5tbsp of sugar to taste. Just be smart when you can things: clean your sink and counters well before you start, use boiling water to sterilize your jars/lids and any utensils beforehand, cut a small slice off each end of cukes before using, and use the hot water bath if you are nervous (but even if I do, I never do this for as long as 'required').
I don't even use 'mason' type jars sometimes but I don't recommend that unless you know what you are doing.
Having said that, I won't touch canned tomatoes (except chili sauce, etc. that has added vinegar). Once I found out that botulina is not visible and has no taste, it scared the hell out of me (botulism is not something you should wish on your worst enemy).
So, somehow in the past 40+ years, no one of the half dozen of us in my family that preserves has managed to get others sick from it. If you aren't half intelligent though, maybe just follow the USDA guidelines. They are there to keep dump people alive after all.