I have done both 'regular' and 'big stitch' hand quilting. The big stitch did go very quickly but after so many years of regular hand quilting it was really difficult for me to get 'big' stitches, lol. But with the heavier weight (pearle cotton) thread it was still more defined.
I think I really prefer regular hand quilting though. Perhaps just because that is what I've always done.
For regular hand quilting I use Roxanne #11 or #12 quilting betweens - usually #11. I use that brand threader as well particularly with the #12 needles...it can be difficult to get the thread through those eyes without the threader. Not so much with the #11s. And regular threaders wires seem to be too thick to go through the Roxanne #12 eyes.