I find the obligatory 599 or 59 report absolute nonsense , if not stupid ,
especially in connection with contests ,because it does not provide 'any
information' .

So, like you want me to sit at the rig with magnifying glass and observe the
meter with 5% accuracy?
Reports became largely redundant, most people chose to 59 them, but nobody is
stopping you from using accurate report. It just became more important in the
contest to work as many as possible, fast, rather than do scientific reporting
on signals. The other purpose is to alert the recipient that the other part of
exchange is coming.
Most established contests are using signal reports (old requirement for DXCC
QSOs). Some newer ones and VHF are not.
Check http://www.computeradio.us/TeslaCup.htm for really fair and modern HF
contest rules.

73 and 599
Yuri, K3BU.us