Mike,
I have a 8"SN (Meade LXD55) and visually great & fantastic on lunar work and planets but I am really struggling with things like flex (its on a Losmandy D plate) and weird stuff occuring on the outer edges. I collimate it everytime I use it. I use a Baader MPCC but also controlling internal reflections (eg Alnitak) has unfortunately put this scope aside for now.
Would be very interested if you had some opinions (good or bad) of this scope from your vast knowledge
(don't hold back if it's a dog!). I don't see many 8"SN images to compare with.
Grady, my LXD55 8"SN is about 8yrs old now but would fall into your question I suppose (no longer can be bought new as far I am aware). Good luck with your choice!
Darrin...