newbie needs help: which scope?

I am trying to decide between 2 scopes and need some input.
background: about 2 years ago owned a spaceprobe 130 and an starmax 127. only had for a few months. spaceprobe ok but did not like diff spikes. Starmax was great and portable.
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looking to get new scope, I found a nexstar 5 and an lxd55 8" sn for around the same price. I know the meade is an f4 and better for wide field views and the nexstar more for planets. Here is my dilemma, I would like to have a scope that will do both pretty well. Will there be any diff between these 2 on planets, I know there will be diff on dso's. If any diff, what kind and how much.
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Also, I know many are going to tell me to get a dob, or some other variance. I have definately made up my mind that the mount has to be goto, I want to spend more time looking and less time finding.
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I have read and understand that nuances for the lxd55 mount. I figure I can tinker enough to make suitable.
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any opinions and help is greatly appreciated.

Travis

Travis,

Tough choice. The Nexstar Go-To beats the LXD55 Go-To hands down. Unfortunately, the LXD55 has numerous issues regarding accuracy and consistent dependability. It's a great mount if you like to work for the mount instead of the mount working for you!

On the other side, the SN8 has 2.5 times the light gathering power of the 5". In this respect there is no reasonable comparison between the two scopes. Aperture rules.

The closed tube Schmidt-Newt that Meade sells is going to require a longer cool-down time than a straight open tube Newtonion. Check out Celestron's 8" Newtonion on the CG-5 Go-To mount. I think you would be much happier with that set-up if it would fit your budget.