I disagree and I say your opinion that it's "just completely false" is absolutely false...
It depends on the person, but a large-diameter random orbital is going to have an advantage on most gear-driven polishers when it comes to pad speed. Generally, guys who find that they have better correction with gear-driven polishers tend to use heavy pressure and tend to polish at an angle (many of them think they are flat). Guys who hold polishers truly flat and have really good technique with large-diameter random orbitals will find that they will get more correction with those style machines.
The OP is declaring "Also 3401 have much less correction ability unless you put quite a pressure on them" with absolute 100% certainty; that is just not always 100% true, as indicated by your very own choice of words "It depends on the person".
All I'm refuting is the inability to optimize correction without using excessive pressure on a gear driven machine.
Heck, I use a Flex 3401 and a Rupes 15 Mk2 and actually prefer the Rupes in the majority of situations but to imply that a gear driven polisher has disadvantage in correction ability unless significant pressure is applied is, in my mind, not 100% accurate, especially in lighter duty work.
Throw in pad size, abrasive technology of products used and we move even farther away speaking in absolutes.
I guess more to the point, my initial objection was to a claim that speaks in what can easily be construed as an 'absolute and universal truth' which we all can agree is rarely the case...in regards to anything.
I can take my Flex with something like Scholl S20 Black on a honey spider pad and produce an LSP ready finish using very little pressure, especially on soft or sticky paint. As I can with my Rupes.
To imply that the only way to maximize equal correction with a gear driven machine is through the use of significant pressure just seems misleading to me as stated.
Toss in the fact that my abilities with the Rupes are still far below even what could be considered 'moderately functional' and the gap widens.
Perhaps the statement of the post in question would have been better if prefaced with "All other factors being equal.." but as written, leaves too much room for question when presented as a universal truth, especially give the lack of clarification/substantiation. I have just found that limiting phrases that imply universal declarations are misleading. Kinda like "What's the best XXX"; there simply is no BEST for every and all curcumstances.
It's all good...and will get better, quicker and less taxing as I (hopefully) improve my abilities with a long throw. As a hobbyist it's as much about the process as the results for me and I view the Rupes as the pinnacle of an artist's brush/palette with respect to correction. Unfortunately I'm still finger-painting here.
Edit: Also eyeing a Duetto this holiday season...just because it seems so versatile.
