Which is the reason I get very reluctant to get involved. If you ask me I'll tell you I prefer the full length 22" props, 22 pitch on the rear and 20 pitch on the front. I've tried all the ratios and all the different prop combos. I have not liked the APC or their carbon clones as the model just does not feel as solid to me with those props. I have no problem with horizontal speed as it is sufficient even in hard wind. Ask some guys who saw it fly at Victorville. What I want is good speed going up and a solid feeling model at all times and so far the bigger props seem better at that to me. Using the 9.89 ratio with the bigger props requires a lot of throttle management as the current draw is pretty high. I've settled on the 10.33 ratio but I'm not pretending that it is the holy grail of ratios. There is not a lot of percentage difference with the different ratios. If you want to talk yourself in to one being better then the other it is pretty easy to do. I know I spent a lot of time trimming the ends of the blades and curving the tips. Was pretty convinced for a long time that had to be done. But now I don't think it's needed or makes much of a difference.

Which goes to show almost everything in this event is subjective.

BTW, 2,414 flights on the Contra in 4 different models.