LOL...
Sorry, but all the work I have done with Hints normally end's exactly the same way you mentioned...
The Speeds go up!
To understand this a little better, you also have to understand that the initial bsp split of the map is different every time you compile. Normally it is only slightly, but it can throw all the good work out the window.
I haven't seen the map, but did you give Horizontal Hints a really good try?.
Best way to use them is to think of a ceiling. Can the player see above a certain height, if not then Horizontal hint that plane. It can save the poly count, but it can also raise it.
The work looks good.
If you manage 1000 wpoly in a few non/ minimal combat areas, I think you will be ok... My machine would have a heart attack, but thankfully not everyone is as technologically challenged as me
![:-)](http://192.241.182.11/images/smilies/smile.png)