Jim

Yes, the geared system will spool up faster than direct drive. Direct drive is sorta like driving a car in high gear, accels are smooth and easy to control but uphill speed may sag. Geared systems are similar to driving a car in 2nd gear, quick / powerful accels but harder to manage speed smoothly. The geared system in pattern takes more finesse on the throttle. From watching others fly contra systems I'd judge them to be somewhere in the middle.