p.s. ~ i looked at some armadillo's about a week ago. they seemed a little extreme. flats are part of the deal and, as i've said, i have become quite proficient at fixing flats.
Perhaps you could help me out.
"Extreme?"
I have used Armadillos for years and never found them "extreme." What about them struck you as extreme?
Also, while flats may be a part of bicycle riding, fixing them is never fun, takes time, and at times where you need to fix them may be dangerous or uncomfortable. I prefer to avoid them rather than anticipate them.
However, as others have advised, except for a solid rubber wheel or riding on steel, there are never totally unpreventable.