Eric, i hope you keep going. When ever i think of DSLR imaging your name is at the top of the list.
I like very much what the Qhy8 combined with a C8 Hyperstar V3 is producing. Perhaps this might be the setup for you.
http://starizona.com/acb/hyperstar/hyperstar3/
Its not much more than a modded 40D. And you can always pickup a used or refurbished dslr for daytime imaging. Regardless of the path you take i am sure you will succeed.
Regards
Fahim