I have a Jamis satellite, I think it's an 08 or something around there. It has a 8 speed cassette. I just got a new wheel set and tires. It supports a 11 speed cassette but comes with spacers. I was wondering about putting a compact 11 speed cassette on it. Maybe I could find a good take off or slightly used set, what would be a good upgrade setup to be looking for. I'm more a tour type rider, not a racer,not looking for super crazy light stuff. Just looking for a good quality smooth shifting durable setup. Not looking to spend hundreds on parts. Ideas?

what do yo want to change? The shift/brake levers are usually the most expensive parts---you would need at least a cassette, and I would suggest and derailleur and chain as well. That is almost certainly cost hundreds.

I don't know Campy or Sram. Shimano, 105 is the cheapest and in terms of value, the best 11-speed group.

Shimano 5800 full groupset for around £350 from UK is probably the cheapest 11 speed option. Merlin were selling the derailleurs and shifters for £150 to which you'd need to add a cassette and chain minimum, possibly new chainset. I suspect you'd be just as happy with an upgrade to 10 speed Tiagra 4700, which you can pick up for around £250 for the full groupset.

You're going to have to spend hundreds on parts.

At a minimum, 5800 levers, 5800 cassette, 5800 RD and 11-speed chain (KMC might have less expensive options than Shimano). Don't know how your chainrings will play with the 11-speed chain, but they might might need to be changed, too (or a whole new crankset). Cable pull between the new levers and existing brakes will probably not be ideal, either.

New, from UK vendors, these are all pretty reasonably priced, IMO, but it's still going to add up to more than $200. Hunting for used stuff might save you a little bit of money, but I doubt it'll move the needle very much.

You cannot just put a new cassette on in case it's not obvious from the above posts.

On top of what [MENTION=185471]WhyFi[/MENTION] said, if your bike came with an 8 speed group, if you upgrade to 11s, you'll probably want to buy new brakes as well. Shimano changed the pull ratios between the 7-8-9 speed groups and the 10-11 speed groups, so it may or may not be safe to use your existing brakes with the new levers (either way Shimano recommends against it).

Now, if you don't mind used parts, have a keen eye for good deals, you could probably find a good deal on some 5700 or 5800 brakes on eBay. Might even be able to piece together a decent full groupset.

As you self identify, 'a tour type rider' , stick with 8 speeds renew.. fresh chain, wider range 8 speed cassette ..

you are looking at just that , otherwise.. several hundred.

I got a 4700 Tiagra triple for about $60 .... by an old 4400 FD and any shift/brake levers set up for a triple .... Claris, Sora, old 105. Old Ultergra, even old Dura-ace ... but a single shifter or an old set to handle eight speeds and a triple should be cheap and a 3x8 set-up will probably do you more good on a tour than a 2x11.

They work fine together, despite what Shimano recommends.

Technically yes.
Personal experience, I don’t like it. Too much power, too little modulation. Fine off road and on MUPs, not so much on Road at speed. Too easy to grab too much brake in situations where you’re reacting quickly without thinking about it. But that’s just me. Everyone has their own preferences.

If your bike had 8 speeds in 2008 it is likely it is closer to entry level than not. I wouldn't upgrade it with a new groupset - your best bang for buck would be to find a good deal on a mid-range used bike and sell your existing one if you want more modern components.