markerClusterer / markerClustererPlus: hide markers while clustering at work?

[uno]

hello, is there a way to hide markers while clustering is underway, e.g. show only the result of the clustering? for now, if i zoom out to e.g. world view, the map first draws/shows all markers, then starts clustering.
btw, just today i noticed that there are 2 versions of markerClusterer now, is there a recommended one?
thanks, uno

[uno]

to answer the first part myself:
solved by adding an array of markers with map set to null, clusterer
handles the rest.