Reducing time spent wirting to SD while data logging to minimize missed pulses

Yes, no linux formatter is any better than windows/mac ones. All of them assume they are formatting damn rotary magnetic platters and behave that way. There is no random access and no need to make small allocation blocks on flash, indeed, large allocation blocks that match the embedded NAND and controller's capability is the only way to run them efficiently. After all, SD cards were made to store videos or pictures on a continuous way, with large files, not a bunch of small files and using small blocks. SD card formatting into linux ex system is especially bad so SD based small linux systems like raspberry pi is quite slow to run. If possible, format it! You will compare the difference and thank that formatter program.