Same story here. My multi-large Battlestar comps often had enough points left over to add in a Manti, and the greater sensor range was extremely helpful in managing battle set up. It was still a bit faster than the heavies when full defensive, and easily made up for the reduced spotting when the battle-line is full offensive.As for the Manticores... in Deadlock, I exclusively use them for reconnaissance, but in that role they're indispensable. They're not as fast as strikecraft, but they have much better sensors and can still escape from heavier cylon ships without much trouble. Maybe double down on that, make them even faster with even better sensors, and also use them as e-war and jamming platforms?
The fact that it looks so much like the Zentraedi Tou Redir can't be a coincidence, and that thing is basicly a sensor suite attached to an engineering section with crew areas welded on.
Abstractions aside, simply FINDING the enemy is the critical first step in any action, and if you don't have ready access to cheap jump-capable Raptors than you'll have to use a full sized ship. A fully modernized and militarized Manticore would easily fit the bill perfectly.