Yes mine starts a hair high up to, not 1/3 i dont think though, you can try to take that out with the throttle trim, as for the timing, it can be set at automatic(which is the default) or at hard, 30degrees which is what you want for yourrimfire, and there is another one but i forget which, its in the instructions with the rest of the programming features. the soft start is used for a couple different things, it can be used for an inrunner motor and gearbox so you dont strip the gears from putting the power in to quickly, also i use it on my rimfire because of the oring holding the prop on, that way if i "drop the hammer" so to speak it will have less chance of breaking the oring, the orings wont break when they are new but i had two go on me in flight, so i switched to a heavier one, you can prolly find the heavier ones in hardware stores, or like lowes or home depot maybe. it will somewhat limit the prop saver a little bit though so if you nick the prop on take off and landing alot you may wanna keep the stock ones on.