Okay, I just tried this and here are my test results. I'm a Sprint user using the newest Verizon radio.
My default values were 2285 and 3044. I tested the signal strength and battery life with my default values, the OP's final values, and the OP's adjustments applied to my default values. I soft reset between each test and unplug the USB cable when testing. The phone is in the same spot on my desk the whole time. Signal strength shown is the average of six samples taken ten seconds apart; battery usage shown is amount of battery life consumed during a one minute and ten second phone call to "
It Could Always Suck More" according to acbPowerMeter.
Default: 2285 / 3044
1X: -90
HDR: -79
Battery: 351mA, 9mAh
OP Values: 2092 / 2392
1X: -93
HDR: -82
Battery: 315mA, 7mAh
OP Tweaks: 1785 / 1944
1X: -94
HDR: -80
Battery: 385mA, 9mAh
Conclusion: It certainly doesn't seem to be helping. I will play with these values more later, and will try using tweaked values in a known deadspot when possible to see if I get service. For now, however, I'm going back to my defaults.
OP: How did you find out about this tweak, and do you have any idea what those values represent, specifically?