My experience is the exact opposite. Absolute commands guarantee that the engine will get to that speed at some point, and if it misses a command the next on received won't just be "whatever speed I'm at plus one." It will be speed step X, even though X-1 might have gotten dropped on the floor.
Also, when coming to a stop, absolute mode guarantees repetitive commands of "0" as you rotate counter-clockwise.
Maybe some of the earlier radio boards have issues with absolute commands?
