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Robert,
a couple of points.
I have used a M180, and it was a fantastic scope, much like the MN76, similar, but slightly different.
Both were eclipsed slightly by the 10" f5 newt I own. It is a Sky Instruments primary, and secondary, now sitting in a carbon fibre tube. It has turned into a do anything scope. I use it on the AP600E mount with imaging in mind, both webcam, and DSLR, but it is also quite at home in a homebrew dob base. Point here is that the 10" gives better results than the 7"'s ever did, simple physics. AND it's cost was significantly less.
If I didn't have the 10", and knew what I know now (I can just hear Ponders about now???) I would be looking to go to a 12". But the 10" in a one piece tube is about as big as most normal cars will allow, so it is the sweet spot for other reasons as well.
Gut feeling is try the old girl(s) but if the mount isn't up to snuff, then it is going to revitalise a BIG hole in your wallet.
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