I think your missing out on the wide field views with an 8" f5? dob. At most 2.5º TFOV so if you must spend some csh go for a 4" f5 Achro Refractor and put it on a simple alt/az mount or as I have done on an EQ3.
A 4" on an EQ3 is perfection in my book....wide fields 5-6º TFOV depending on the eyepiece...tracking when you want. Out in the dark this set up is
tripl e thumbs up from me on all fronts....cheap....wide fields....portable...a great scope to add to a reflector.
Matt...who loves his f5 4" EQ3 Frac.