That is indeed a long list of improvements in v8.
But being that the mats work(I didnt realize it would work, but I tried and it did)... wouldnt it be worthwhile for you to try setting in v7 all the common parameters to the same values as you have in v8 and see how it looks? I mean I'm sure you are right that they are better in v8, but for v7 users it might still represent a worthwhile product...
Just a thought- I dont know the proportion of users who are not upgrading yet  (or at all).

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