I don't use them as much as I used to since I started using gatorskin tires, but I still carry 2 cartridges on all of my rides.
It's a CO2 cartridge so all it needs to do is hold CO2, right? They've always worked for me. A highly recommend waiting until they are chosen as the daily special and stocking up on them.
Same gas, same size, same weight, same compatibility. Why pay 50% more for the name brand cartridge when this one works exactly the same.