Well, I just picked up an Optimus Elite tonight at Best Buy for $129.95. Yes, they do have the OpV in stock ($179.95).I tried to swap phones online, but wound up having to call.
As far as I can tell you can move apps to the SD card, but for some reason it calls the SD card "Internal Storage". Move2SD gives the option to move to "Internal Storage". Once an app has been moved, there is the usual Move to Phone option. I haven't noticed anything weird with the battery cover or anything else. The phone is much like the OpV with a nice bright (slightly larger) screen. It's a bit peppier than the V thanks to the somewhat faster processor. Call quality so far is very similar to the V. The back cover is not rubberized like the V. It is textured plastic. The 5MP camera has a flash, and in my brief test it works well. There is no dedicated camera button. The Android buttons are not physical buttons like on the V. Battery is larger than the V at 1720mah v. 1500. I will have to see how battery life compares to that of the V.
Was thinking of waiting for the EVO, but I decided I really don;t need 4g, and this way I get to keep my $25 plan. I may give the V to my son to play games and listen to music. I willl not activate it for him, though. He already has a tracfone that costs me only $10/month. That'll work for him until he can pay for his own.