Great Chart Mike, nice thread OP.
My 0.02$ is for you to not evaluate the Chart only for 'Cutting Power'. Foam characteristics are different.
If you read the description for each pad line you can see that Hydrotech (HT) and even the Hybrid pads (Hyb.) were develop with finishing capabilities in mind along with cutting power.
The Yellow cutting flat / CCS pad has enormous cutting, however you're very likely to follow it with a less aggressive pad / approach in order to finish properly. It's genuinely a cutting pad (no generalization, some cases are always exception). ~Like the Meguiar's Burgundy pad...
When you look at the HT line you may notice the cut is slightly above (comparing to the cutting pad), but finishing capabilities of the HT line are superior (IMO).
This may or not be a difference for you. Doing multiple steps through compounding to jeweling paint you may use any pad line from Lake Country, get what you like most. They are all quality products.
Durability of Flat / CCS (majorly) pads are they strongest attribute (again, IMO).
If you are leaning towards doing better / faster 1-steps (or even 2, but not 3!), then you should give HT or even the Hybrids a chance. I mean, they will 'try to help you' get to The Finish faster. It will not happen always, but it's more likely to happen if you use them.
For sure you can (and should, always as needed) do multiple steps with them, but they will provide a better finish even when compounding, and depending on situation, you may find enough stopping the work at the compounding step, and go to LSP (after proper oil removal, sure!) right after.
Please, do not read my words literally, there are lot of exceptions and I can't cite them all, if you have any question, please, feel free to ask.
Everything will depend on local conditions, paint being worked, products being used, your technique, etc.
Pair your pads with good polishes, preferable those that diminishes throughout polishing cycle. This 'helps the foam' to do it's role, (Again, not a Rule!, SMAT may work (and work!) as well).
Cons of HT line: Cyan (which is the best from line IMO) shreds too easy. To deal with it, I suggest you being gentle with pad brush, and switch to a new, clean pad often (this pad do not likes to be abused, like your yellow CCS pad 'likes'). Cycling through pads is good to maintain HT Cyan integrity.
Another Con: The Orange polishing pad has 'too coarse feel' for polishing soft paint, which puts you back to white pad from CCS / flat line and/or Hyb.
Cons of the Hyb. Line: Expensive, the 5" (which are the best Hybrids for the Flex 3401, IMO) should be ordered together with a backing plate system (4" and 6" kit) that's 'very expensive'.
So, that's a lot more to look into than cutting power, I hope my thoughts wasn't so confuse (I'm brazilian, and I'm in a hurry here!). Just like to try helping you out.
Let us know,
Kind Regards.
