Hi,
Just yesterday I used PHD Guiding v1.10.0 on both of my G11 with Gemini GoTo Level 4 v1.05
On one I am using a parallel port adapter GPINT-PT and on the other one I use a GPUSB adapter. Works great. No problem at all.
I would suggest you start wth the defaults settings and observe your guiding and then possibly just change as a first test the dead zone.
Calibration is easy and quick. Should you make a meridian flip you have to make a calibration. That is all.
I do NOT use ASCOM for myself. In the past too many problems with it.
The other day I showed a friend how to guide with PHD his Celestron NexStar 8 using ASCOM and a DSI camera as guide camera. Works also quite good.
Below you can see my setup.
http://rainerehlert.com/ObsReal14/cons/OReal14-05.jpg