I feel like we aren't communicating very well. It's probably my fault.
However, I can't help but give it one more try. If your times are inconsistent, this is what implicit waits are for. You put the maximum time, say 5 seconds, and during the implicit wait you get constant polling so let's say on one device it only takes 3 seconds--well, with an implicit wait set for 5 seconds the operation only takes 3 seconds. Another device only takes 1 second--so in that case with an implicit wait of 5 seconds it only takes 1 second. In another case it takes the full 5 seconds--with an implicit wait of 5 seconds it takes 5 seconds.
It seems to me that implicit waits are tailor made for your situation--yet you disagree. I'm either not being clear or not understanding your problem. I'll try not to waste your time anymore.