Zane, I have assumed I would need a paracorr but I guess it would be prudent to try the scope first and see how it went without one. One of the attractions of the SIPS focuser for me is that it does away with having to adjust the paracorr when changing eyepieces, I like the sound of that but I have no experience with paracorrs or fast newtonians (I did have a 6" f5 travel newtonian a long time ago, you may recall seeing it when we met at the 1998 Astrofest at Coonabarabran).
I do have some Naglers.
Fahim, I can see the attraction of an 8" SCT though I have no experience with them. I don't like what I here about them with regards to dew issues and cool down problems. Obviously they are popular and there are ways of overcoming these problems. It is tempting to get one one and find out for myself whether I can live with it.
Peter, call me old fashioned but wood and air cooling are my prefered methods.
Ian, thanks for the compliment and I agree a good newtonian has the potential to give the best performance for the dollar.
Andy