Ok..so, let me provide an update on this... hopefully, it will help out someone else to stumbles on this via searching...
1. Just purchased an older LSI 22320-HP HBA, no raid. There are several LSI and LSI variants that would work. Namely the LSI 21320 and 22320 series (without raid), should do the trick. They contain the LSI "53c1030 PCI-X Fusion-MPT Dual Ultra320 SCSI" chip... I purchased the LSI 22320-HP version... and it worked like a charm, a simple HBA, no raid (that is key). The chipset is on the HCL up to and including version 6.0 of ESXI.
2. I wanted to buy the Adaptec 29320LPE mainly because its PCIE instead of PCIX, which is the LSI cards are PCIX...anyway, two things deterred me from the adaptec card, a.) is the fact that support is only including up to ESXi 5.1 U3. b.) COST! Auctions are demanding anywhere from $50+ for this card. Not that is not a good deal, but its expensive for an ESXI application that support was dropped, so, it a gamble if its going to work or not. Didn't want to chance it, especially since I picked up the LSI 22320-HP for $5.00. I'll live with the old PCI form factor for now, until I can find a supported replacement chipset in a PCIE version.
So, in conclusion, the LSI 22320-HP card I bought, so far, has worked like a charm. I haven't actually run a backup yet (I wanted to write this), but I passed through the card, and WIN2008R2 picked up the HP Ultrium 460 LTO 2 tape drive right away! So, a huge improvement over the previous card I had, the Adaptec 2120S Crusader. Which didn't show anything but the card.
Hope this helps someone!