Saddle packs are no different than stick packs, just use a jumper wire instead of a battery bar. Its quite simple.
If your only gripe with the b44 is saddle packs you should re think your options. If you want lipos max amps and Trak power have them, and they are in line, price wise, with there stick pack counter part.
Now that I have been running saddle packs for a couple of months I actually perfer them over the stick packs. Just my .02
If you want a buggy with stick pack only, go with the zx5 sp.
That buggy is incredible. There is a (experianced) guy here at the local track, who bought it at the lhs in the morning, built it at the track and raced it the same day. He placed 2nd with the out of the box set up, the buggy was not 100% dialed and he had only 2 batteries though it practice wise.
I drove it, and my lap times were slightly faster with his buggy than mine.
though mine was not set up well either.
The zx5 sp is my next buggy, just because of how great it was out of the box. Not to mention the suspention is incredible.
Good luck on what ever you choose.