I am not convinced by the argument for a 200 foot reserve to allow for pressure changes or obstructions. That almost implies that you would be ready to arrive at an arrival height of 200 foot. If you have zero set but plan to arrive at 800 foot then you will be able to cope with pressure changes or obstructions. If you plan to arrive well below circuit height I hope you are using visual judgement before you get too low.

I am interested by the point about the reserve being added to your finish height where your finish height is different from your arrival height at an airfield. How does this work? I don't have 'Finish is 1,000m below start set' as it doesn't normally affect me - if I start above 1,000 m on a flight for which the scoring will be affected that is another adjustment which I make mentally. In the UK the rule does not affect competition scoring but does affect our BGA Ladder. I have never flown with a finish other than at an airfield - is there a way to set the minimum height at a finish ring?