They are great resources sites though, so thanks for posting those URLs.
I don't know how I missed it on my first search, but Laserman has already answered most of what I wanted to know ages ago on this post:
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/What-PAL-NTSC-Laserdisc-players-would-you-recommend-me/post/259497/#post259497
So I guess the pecking order from best downwards is : X0, X9, V800, V8000, V4300D followed by the consumer models.
Laserman also mentioned a bit about the CLV smearing that I was referring to here:
http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Ghosting-problem/post/253620/#post253620
From his comments it's clear that all consumer players suffer from smearing to some extent, except the X0/X9 and some of the industrial players.
Can anyone please tell me what the V4300D player is worth today in working condition?