You did mention that already Jase,
DSO's are well within the ED80's range, the nice relatively wide field gives some excellent views as well as beautiful shots of nebulae, clusters and even the odd galaxy and the F7 focal length means that coma isnt such an issue on a DSLR as it is with a fast F5 or F4 newt like mine.
It should really be the Astrophotography scope de jeure for beginners as it is simple to use and as it is ED, provides some stunning photos and crisp visual goodies too.
I was asked by my sister in law what scope to get her hubby for a significant anniversary and without missing a beat, Black diamond ED80 on an ALT-AZ (AZ3) with the aluminium case at the time was something like $999 driveaway.
He is not a technical or astrophotography inclined person but is fascinated as to what is up there and had a few looks through my 12" dob and 8" HEQ5 Pro. He LOVES his ED80 as its a doddle to set up and use, no collimation to worry about, he just plonks it down and looks through it, using the Alt-Az mount like a pro.
I have had the pleasure of sampling it visually and its stunning, not as large an image as my 8" or 12" as its focal length is shorter, but a joy to use and something I am planning to steal for a bit to whack on my HEQ5 pro for some astrophoto goodness when he is looking the other way.......WHAT ED80? I will reply when he asks me where it is....
Hope you can grab one of the bargains while they last, they really are a nice place to start and probably a scope you will never want to part with.
Have fun with your purchase.
Cheers
Chris