catadioptic Newtonians

Can anyone tell me what Schmidt-Newtonians are like, quality wise? I'm not really thinking of buying one, but the Celestron Comet Catcher was the first scope I ever wanted. I never got it (got a C-8, which I love, instead) and every now and then I see a Comet Catcher go up for sale and wonder. Also, I think Meade has a line of Schmidt-Newts. Just wondering if there are strong opinions one way or the other on these systems. Thanks.

-Paul

I own one of the older Meade Schmidt Newts, an MTS-SN8. Basically the older 8" version of Meade's newer ones. It is a very fast scope, f/4, and when properly collimated the views are impressive, IMO. They beat the 8" Meade SCT I had in image clarity, contrast and quality alltogether. But what I really like it for is astrophotography, esp with its fast f ratio.

Evan