The SRAM cassettes are OK budget-level entry cassettes. They aren't making any really nice cassettes any more in 8-speed. What you get is a bit heavier than better designs with clusters of carriers. SRAM still makes better 10 and 11-speed cassettes, but you are going to pay extra...

I just don't think the SRAM cassettes available in 8-speed shift nearly as well as the high-end Shimano ones (that are not made any more either.)

I've used both on my bikes and comparing a current SRAM PG-850 8-Speed cassette to a Shimano Deore XT CS-M737 8-speed Cassette really highlights the deficiencies of the SRAM low-end product. Beyond the fact that the SRAM cassette is a boat anchor, it chatters and shifts poorly compared to the Deore XT component. It's just getting harder and harder to find the out-of-production 105 or greater Shimano 8-speed cassettes these days,new or lightly-used. I've always got my eyes open at bike swaps. A month or so ago I picked up another 11-30 CS-M737 XT for $15 in like-new condition, and it even was in the original box. Not too shabby. The best I've ever done on Ebay in the past couple of years has been $45 after shipping which I thought was an awesome deal too. I see they have an 11-28 on Amazon right now for $100. I bet the guy even sells it for that price eventually. The NIB examples are getting pretty scarce.

Both Shimano and SRAM are going to keep making 8-speed cassettes, but only the low-end entry-level quality components that mirror the low-end bikes that are still being sold with 8-speed drivetrains.

I haven't tried the new Suntour cassettes, but I would imagine that they are on par with the SRAM PG-850 anchors. They are probably both assembled with cogs made in the same chinese factory.