janome 8900
 

Does anyone have opinions on the Janome new 8900?

Saw this one today - lots to the machine. Very new. Was given a price of $2000.00 because I mentioned that is my limit. I am pretty sure it was the 8900. Suppose to take the place of the 7700 Horizon. I did not spend much time with it. Will go back with my samples, etc. The stitch they showed me was quite nice. Was too much to take in for first time visit.

janome 8900
 

If you were quoted $2,000 for the 8900. Buy it! I was quoted $4,000!
Please PM me the contact for your store. Thank you! Great Christmas present

The machine which takes the place of the Horizon 7700 is the 7700 (without the Horizon). It looks just like the Horizon 7700 but it's not red. It retails for just under $2,000. The 8900 is their new top of the line machine, which does retail around $4,000 and they've also come out with an 8200 which is like the 8900 but with fewer stitches and minus a few features. I understand it will go for about $2700.

I've heard very good things from owners of the 8900; it's like the original 7700 except some of the features are slightly different and easier to use. I'm thinking of trading up, but haven't gotten a price yet.

Total dream machine. I would have kept my 7700 but the first one I got was a lemon (changed out by the dealer no problem). The fact they are stopping production after just 2 years kind of freaked me out so because I know so many sewers who have had problems with the 7700 I traded it in for a 8900.
It probably wouldn't have crossed my mind to do so except a part fell off in mid-November and late-December they were still waiting for the part.

Total dream machine. One of the many things they Really got right was the O patchwork foot with the D95 stitch.

The first test 9 patch I made using the default setting came out dead on the money.
I think I made 8-10 before it hit it right on the 7700.

Did I say it is a dream machine yet?

With my trade in I paid 1999.00 for it and I feel like it is the machine I'll be buried with.

KalamaQuilts ... can you give us some more insights as to which features have been dropped/added for the models you are mentioning? I've got the 6600 now, love it ... and the main thing I would like is more throat space for working with bigger projects. And easier switching of the feet, sure would be nice!

I'm going to try to get down to my dealer's by February to check out the 7700. Would love more throat space.

so far I see a lot more embroidery stitches, and along with those
there is a 9mm feed dog! The feet are a lot wider consequently. You can use the standard Janome feet, but if you forget and do some 9mm stitching you will be lucky if all you bust is a needle.

The part that slides out from around the free arm is the same I think, and I think I got all the same feet I got with the 7700.
Instead of the computerized throat plate for single needle and embroidery change requirements, the 8900 comes with two throat plates.
Comes with the identical acrylic surround, the same carry case you aren't supposed to carry

Thread track, bobbin winding, and bobbin case are still the same.
Identical footprint to the 7700 so it went right into my table like it was born for it.
The feet are easier to switch as the acufeed system has been modified so it sits higher in the back.

When I finish piecing my Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt I'm going to load the first quilt to be quilted, I'll probably have more to say then.

Would love to hear from others who have the machine.

Thanks KalamaQuilts for the extra info.



For those interested, here's a side-by-side comparison of the new 8900 and 8200 from the Janome site.
http://www.janomespecials.com/mc8900-mc8200/compare.htm

and another side-by-side for the older 6500, 6600 and 7700
http://janome.ca/machines/Horizon/compare1.php

Now hopefully I can do an apples to apples comparison! :)

I've been thinking of upgrading my machine also. I've been sewing on a Janome Quilters Companion 6260 for almost 10 years and was looking into the 7700. Now that I've heard about the 8900 and 8200 I have much more to think about. The 8900 may be too expensive but the 8200 could be manageable. Makes me wonder if Janome realizes that the 7700 just wasn't working out. Seems odd to phase it out after a couple of years. So would it be wise to avoid it. Or will Janome drop the price lower to get rid of the inventory they have. I will be taking a trip to my Janome dealer soon to ask many questions. Glad to hear you have found your dream machine. Happy sewing!