I'm also discouraged to hear the speed isn't, at a minimum, as good as the Machete. I have the Hydrilla Hacker blade as well, and noticed a significant speed delta between it and the Machete that it came with. So here I was getting all jacked up about a new prop that I could leave on and have all the performance I want. During a tournament, I want to pop from grass bed to grass bed fast, at least faster than the other guy. This does not sound like my salvation.
Will I buy it? Probably. Only because, like most things, my mileage may vary. Thanks for posting your trials, though, gents. It is helpful and will give me a comparative basis to go by.