But I don't let the rpm fall to idle. I raise the rpm to (at least) the point where it needs to be in the lower gear (and, foot-on-the-throttle) I leave it at that rpm and keep driving at that same rpm after the downshift from neutral is made. It's not a blip; it's a raise-and-hold. And, you need to make a decisive (i.e. quick) clutch-in, shift from neutral to the lower gear, clutch out "move" or the rpm of the counter shaft WILL fall... so sometimes you partways overlap those steps... like shift out of neutral at the clutch-in half-way point. Proof is in the pudding; doing this, gear lever force is 'real low... which says the synchro is not working hard at all. I grant you that selecting the correct rpm takes practise and knowing your car well.