M700 is a pretty good compromise actually. 5 pods, figure pod and change in the hopper, leaves you with half a pod to quick fill after the initial lane is up, and still 3 pods in your pack.
It all depends on the layout of the field. In Puget I was burning through 3-5 pods a game. In Basildon I rarely hit 2 pods, hell most games it was hopper and a pod and that's it.