The controla software does seem to misquote the actual hashrate a lot. Mine tells me I'm running steady at 3.5Mhs but poolside at 13.5
A little annoying but as long as the rewards come to my wallet I'm okay with it.
Restarting is a real problem with these miners. Sometimes giving the wrong hashrate, or not starting up properly, or at all. Making coinswitching a pain.
I might have found a way to switch pools without restarting cgminer by firing a socket command.
Restarting will still be a problem, but at least you don't have to do it often or at all.
I will keep you posted when there is a new release out. should be in a couple of days