Which Portable Multitrack?

[gvdv]

Hi,
I'm saving for a Mac Pro, and in the meantime would like to update my old Tascam 424 with a portable digital multitrack.

Here are my must have criteria:
1. 8 tracks
2. Tracks should be bounceable (I don't care about virtual tracks)
3. Must have a drum machine
2. Must be capable of writing to CD-R
3. Hard drive OR capability to take Compact Flash 2 cards
4. Portable - should be able to carry comfortably in a napsack.

I initially short-listed several machines after researching on the net (and initially, I wanted a machine with a hard drive, but these seem to be heavy and also going the way of the dodo, but if there is a compact, light one, I'd be interested to hear about it).

So, putting aside the Zoom MRS-802CD because it is a hard drive unit that is big and heavy, I'm left with the Boss BR 900CD or the very primitive Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder (which I don't want).

The disadvantage with the Boss BR 900 CD is that it takes Compact Flash Type 1, which has a maximum storage capacity of 1 GB. (It's also supposed to be difficult to use, but I can handle that).

This compact flash issue (obsolescence) is like what happened to the excellent Zoom PS 04 handheld digital 4-track (which was stolen from me) in that the PS 04 was an excellent unit, but it used smart media cards which have been discontinued and which are virtually impossible to get.

If anyone knows of any other units that would meet my criteria, or if you have definitely been able to use the BR 900 CD to record on to Compact Flash Type 2 2 GB cards, I would very much like to hear from you.

I do not want to go up to a 12 or 16 track for various reasons which I won't go into here.

Many thanks in advance,

GVDV.