Advice on Vintage Hi8 and Video 8 recorders

[RichHI]

I have just gone back to my old Video 8 Walkman. I bought a Sony GV-s50E for use on planes in the 90's and recently purchased a refurbished Sony GV-9E. I record on the GV-S50E to save the heads on the GV-9E and at SP or LP I am very pleased with the results.

So the questions I need help with...

I have just purchased a Sony GV-500 in good condition and I want to purchase a refurbished recorder to make my recordings and save the heads on the GV-500. Obviously this is all NTSC. I have the choice of a Domestic model Sony EV-C100 and a semi Pro Sony EVO-550H, both NTSC with Hi8/Video 8.

1) Any advice which one would give better results or will they all produce same quality?
2) My GV-500 Plays Hi8 tapes but says in Video 8 Quality (Line resolution). Would I see an improvement in S/N, Drop Outs or Chroma performance playing hi 8 tapes or would they not show any improvement over Video 8?
3) If I record in Video 8 on a Hi8 ME tape would that look better than a Video 8 recording on a High Packed Video 8 tape?

Any advice welcomed as long time since I did this stuff. Has a wonderful feel though, analog. So Ultra Blu Ray 4K for new stuff and old school analog for old 4x3 content..
Thanks