ok.....this is how I settled it. I bought both engines: an OS61 and a Supertiger61 - I am going to try both engines and will give you a beginner's review.
I will report back soon.

It seems to me that OS is the top dog, but those that follow are so close it's not THAT big of a deal if you get something other than OS.

One thing I didn't do was keep the SK.80 as a beginner, I do not want to take the chance. I WILL get one though...just not at this point. Once I become a better trouble shooter and want to adventure out of the safe zone when it comes to engines. Something tells me I the difference will not be HUGE.