From my research the jury seems like it is still out on the SL Variant. I have heard some people that love SL Variants and others that prefer CompIII/Jet loaders. Given how hard SL Variants are to come by I think that jury is going to be out for some time to come.
I would suggest looking into having your 686 converted to moonclips. Moonclips rule!
If not, then I think your best options is going to be to pickup some Safariland CompIIIs or Jetloaders. Both function in a very similar manner so pick the one you like best. Safariland are a bit more affordable and I like that the spring is under a cover.
I currently use CompIII with my Model 10. My Model 10 is my IDPA setup so I have to use speedloaders. The Comp III have been pretty good to me.
As for technique I am a weak hand reloader with moonclips or speedloaders. I could never get comfortable with transferring the revolver to my weak hand and back fast enough to do the strong hand reloads effectively.
I release the cylinder with the strong hand thumb, open cylinder with weak hand while bring in my hands towards my body a bit. Slap the ejector with the weak hand. Lower the muzzle while reaching for the next speed loader. Insert the speedloader into the cylinder and using my strong hand thumb again active the speedloader. As the guns start to come back up to the target I close the cylinder with the weak hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DIaPSL3eVk
This is a vid of myself shooting a USPSA match with both my Model 10 fed by speedloaders and the same stages with my 627 fed by moonclips. Chest mounted camera so you can see most of the reloads fairly well.
ETA: Those loading blocks are homemade. At my last job I had easy access to a CNC mill and some scrap ABS. If you're handy with a drill press and center punch I have no doubt you could make one your own pretty easy.