Nexstar 5i vs 8i. . .

I've decided to create a new thread for this topic as it was a little off
topic in the "Local Shops" thread.

The down and dirty is that I am waiting on a [Celestron] Nexstar 5i whose
price just increased on me. It got me looking at the 8i a little more and I
realized I could get an 8i with Goto & Tripod (with Starbright non XLT
coatings) for $1199.

While this might sound like a "No Brainer" to most ("Go fer the 8!") I do
have some portability concerns.

I want to be able to take this camping with us which means it needs to be
stored in a reasonably sized case (the 8i case is pretty large).

If there is little to move/store, I am more apt to use it frequently. I am
assuming the setup time for 5i and 8i are basically the same.

Is there anyone out there with an 8i that wishes they went with something a
little smaller?

How about people with the 5i realizing that the difference in size between
the 8 & 5 is "negligible"?

I am quite sure that if I go with the 8i AND it meets my portability
requirement, I will probably have purchased the last scope for quite some
time.

I am a little worried about purchasing the 5i and wishing I'd gotten the 8i
in about 6 - 12 mos. . .

Thanks in advance. . .

-=SkyHawke=-