The cost difference may go down (the V3 will definitely become more available) over the next few months, based on current indications. While you're waiting for stuff to sell, some of this may change.
That said, the extra rail on the V1 is actually excellent real estate - put a Surefire X300 on it (they're starting to be dirt cheap right now) on top and you have a phenomenal ambidextrous light setup (or you can run a light on an offset mount from either side - poor man's Scout light: VTAC L4 in a GearSector/03DG/IWC mount is totally adequate).
If you want a carbine gas system, the V1 is, imho, the best of them even though they're not the prettiest. If you find a deal on the V4, consider that the DD Fixed front sight is not only cheap, but extremely rugged; that would be next in line among the carbines to me.
Mid-Length is where DD shines with available configurations on longer handguards, all my DD barreled uppers are mid-length gas models. If you don't want protruding rail, then the V3 is probably the best you're going to do. I think the real steals on the V5's are long gone (again, the DD Fixed Front sight on that setup is arguably the best thing DD makes).
Grand is right on that you could make up that difference pretty quickly in labor costs without selling the 12.0FSP OmegaX off the V1; but if the price difference where you're buying is that large, then you would be money ahead if the V2 is the alternative you wanted.
The advantage in MY mind of doing that is you'd get a chance to try out the longer handguard - run that for a month before making a final decision, you'd still be able to swap in the OX7.0 rail if you wanted, and recoup some cost off the longer FSP rail.
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"Being able to do the basics, on demand, takes practice. " - Sinister
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