Hey Matt, understand your reluctance and questions.
Getting a proper demo from Lamar, will clear up most of your apprehensions.
The Optima has been around for 2 years now, with the last upgrade just a few weeks ago.
It a very robust and easy to operate RB with a flexible configuration.
I travel often to the US, Mexico, Bahamas, Carribean, and going to Truk and Hawaii in Nov, and I either travel with the EAC's or ship them.
Keep in mind that each EAC is potentially good for 4 hrs.
Last month on a 2 week trip to Grenada I used 5 cartriges (25lbs), which I carried in baggage. I put in 20 hrs of diving.
Yes, you are correct, the cartridges are not as common as sorb, but you can't get Sorb everywhere either.
I am not debating the fact that it would be nice to have both available on the same unit, but that's not the case for now.
IMHO the ease of use,l ack of dust and no chance of caustic cocktail are sufficient benefits for me.
Talk to Lamar and you'll get an update on the Optima!

Cornel