[tom255]

1. Beeps mean that ESC is turned on, in case if you will forget to turn it off.
2. Sensorless ESC are always bit rough on start, becouse ESC dont know rotor position and try to turn rotor over and sometimes phase signals not right on start and it cogs. More harder to start motor, more it cogs. Mostly its normal but sometimes it shows that you have have some problem if it cogs realy hard.
3. You can run NiMh battery with lipo auto cutoff i think you just dont dump your NiMh packs complitely. Lets say on 4S LiPo cutoff engage on 12V, so same will happends on 12S NiMh that makes 1V per cell. Safe dump on NiMh cell is 0,8V
4. Cant comment much but some differece is normal because i dont belive that you have exact matched cells pack, your pack have different internal resistance. Whats why LiPo's need balance tab to last longer and safely charge or discharge them.
5. I never cycle my lipos but noticed that after couple cycles it gets stronger, getting more amps from them. And yes never discharge lipo lower than 3V per cell, safe dump on lipos 3V/cell