G'day pikpakboom,
to the site.
I can't comment on the operational ability of the 8i but I've had a similar sized meade 8" and i still use the same size scope. You should get a real kick out of it.
Someone who knows more about eyepieces than I should pop along shortly and answer your eyepiece question, though alot of them might be at the South Pacific Star Party this weekend.