Feel like I am missing something, advice sought?

[hairball]

Sounds like VV is the way to go for you. Unfortunately, there isn't a mod out there that is compact in a VV. The BuzzPro is smaller in diameter than the ProVari and lighter weight. The lavatube is about the same as the BuzzPro in terms of size...LT is a little taller...BuzzPro works better. You might consider a Mini LT. I haven't had any experience with one but it is a lot shorter but works the same.