A pact with the devil -- no such thing exists.

However, if you're willing to go with a heavier tire, it's another matter entirely. I've tried a number of tires, but nothing even comes close to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Heavy as heck, but a good ride, and I've never had a flat since I switched about a year ago.

A lot of people mention the Armadillos and since I rode them for 4 years, here's my opinion of them -- much more reliable than regular tires, reasonably cheap and a decent value. However, the ride is brutal and the wet weather traction is terrible. When I rode them, I typically got about a flat a month during the dry months and much more during the wet months (worst week ever, 8 flats).

The Armadillos is a heavy tire, but the Marathon Plus is significantly heavier than the Armadillo. For wet weather riding in the dark, it is definitely worth it. People complain about the Armadillos being hard to change, but they're not that bad (but harder than normal tires). The Marathon Plus is a total PITA to change, but you never have to do it because they're so reliable.