You've got that 100% right. If you like to compete, that's fine. I've even considered giving it a whack myself some time, but I smoke, because I like to eat, and I like to entertain. And it is awesome to see my 4 year old girls gnawing on a rib bone. I had to take it away from one the other day; daddy will get you another rib honey, thats just the bone you're chewing on now. lol
I used to have a char-griller with a side firebox that I modified. I put the plates in it and everything, but I didn't like the temp difference from end to end. So I converted it to be reverse flow, and was much happier with it. So when I built my own, there was no question It was going to be reverse flow. Now there is no way I would compare my cheap, modified char-griller to a Jambo, but for my money, I prefer reverse flow. At the end of the day though, the proof is in the pudding, errrrr meat. If you make good Q, then who cares how you got there.
Hmmmmm....smoked pudding........is that a thing?