Index downtube shifters?

I know they exist and shimano still produce them, i am just a little confused as to whether they will be compatable with what im working with...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13671

I was looking at these... Does anyone know whether they are index and whether they would be compatable with an XT rear mech and a shimano 8 speed cassette?

Im guessing they are index but will it work together? if not which index downtube shifters will? Ive heard the dura ace ones dont integrate with other shimano systems.. im somewhat confused.

many thanks!

All indexed shifters are designed with the indexing in the shifter, the rear mech is fairly irrelevant.
The cassette sprocket spacing needs to match the shifter indexing.
The incomparable Sheldon Brown knows all.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html

Yes, they will work with a 9-speed type XT rear mech, but not with the latest 10-speed ones, as the cable pull ratios have changed. Mechs to look for are RD-M750, 760 and 770 series, but not 780.

The incomparable Sheldon Brown knows nothing about developments which post-date his demise

Sheldon Brown is increasingly a guide to what was the case, rather than what is the case. Still useful, but not up to date.

Fair comment.
Still useful as a reference but with some caveats.

I realise the indexing is in the shifters, so the ones I linked will work with standard shimano 8 speed hg50 cassettes?

does anyone know whether the Dura Ace downtube shifters will work with this? or are they only compatable with other Dura Ace parts? thanks for the answers so far!

Which DuraAce? The thing about DA is that Shimano have waved it in and out of compatibility with lower range groups like they were doing the Hokey-Cokey

The 8 speed DA(7600??) was the only one that was hinky until 7900 which again is non family-conforming.

Easy peasy to get 9 or 10 speed downtube shifters, assemble the bits from so called bar end shifters (the ones intended for TT bars)- some of the TT kits even come with down tube adaptors. Safest to mix road shifters with road mechs, as above.

Safest to mix road shifters with road mechs, as above.

so your saying that If i buy ultegra or DA bar end shifters then they probably wont index correctly with my xt mech and hg50 derailleur? I am still confused as to what is intercompatable. thanks for all the help !

Sheldon Brown is increasingly a guide to what was the case, rather than what is the case. Still useful, but not up to date.

John "Street Smarts" Allen has been keeping Sheldon Brown's site up to date. Teh cribsheet page sayeth:

Last Updated: 04/30/2011 06:02:55 by John Allen

so your saying that If i buy ultegra or DA bar end shifters then they probably wont index correctly with my xt mech and hg50 derailleur? I am still confused as to what is intercompatable. thanks for all the help !

Nope, MDCC_tester is correct (above) just saying that it's easier to stick to road shifters with road mechs, that way I have to think less.