Some of the best CO2 inflators are made by Innovations. What you are referring to may have been the "micro-flate". I prefer the ultraflate-plus or the Air-Chuck. Yes, you are bound to threaded carts with either the microflate or the airchuck. But I only flat about once or twice a year, so it is worth it to me to not have to pump manually. With me, when I do flat it, is usually at the worst possible time. Either darkness is approaching or I am in a bad location, so the less time I spend there, the better.

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/default.aspx

Do yourself a big favor. When you do buy an inflator, test it at home first. Deflate one of your wheels and use the inflator. This way you figure out how it works before you need it and pi$$ away a cart in the middle of nowhere. Yes, you will use up one cart that will cost you about 3.00, but it will be money well spent. I can tell you many stories of folks I've come across that did not test their pump or inflator first... they would not have ended well if I had not been there.

If you don't think you want to go the CO2 route, then may I suggest the Topeak Road Morph. Best frame pump I have ever used. Again, test it beforehand.