Latest update. I bought a good quality synthetic Trek saddle used for $5. It seems combfortable on shorter rides, but my wife and I went bike camping and with the longer ride it was definitely not combfortable. The gel seat is better on longer rides. On my trip I wished I had just stuck to the gel seat. Oh well, it was only $5.
The search continues.
As to all these debates I like what one poster said,
"Better to aim high and miss your goal than to never aim at all."