Above is a breakdown of every sentinel we have. It it pretty obvious which one is the best for survival. Vacuum isn't the only reason to use carrier. I've actually tried, even before the vacuum update, to use other sentinels in sorties. It never worked out very well. Sentinels simply do not survive very long in high levels.
This is an issue that has long been discussed and more or less ignored. I am hoping with this change it will be addressed and have more of a focus in the future.
Another suggestion I'd like to throw onto the board is a way to heal sentinels. Yes, I know health plates already do that but to be honest it feels kind of wasteful when I don't need healing but my sentinel does. Is that odd?
Personally I think the regen mod should also have some umm.. what's it called? Oh right regen on it. Regenerate health over time. Its a somewhat sentient machine in the future and it cannot self repair?
Another one, medi-ray, it heals me but for some reason