All I can say is that I bought a Babylock Crescendo two years ago, and I have never looked back. I did my homework and checked out several machines, but kept coming back to the Crescendo. My old machine was a thirty-year-old electronic Pfaff (which I loved practically to death--motor dying), but I don't care for the local Pfaff dealer and the next nearest Pfaff dealer is owned by the same people. My Babylock dealer is great, and I bought a Tiara from her last year. I adore the laser light on the Crescendo--so nice for straight line quilting without marking--but I haven't used the electronic pen very much so far--just haven't found a use for it. I'm sure I will after I retire next year and have more time to "play" with my machines.