I have the AQS 2009. I bought it specifically for traveling. It has all the features I was looking for (same as the Gem 720) and it was under $300. I started using it about 3 weeks ago and I have to say that it is a nice little machine. The light is not bright enough so I use the bendable bright light and it did not come standard with a 1/4 foot or walking foot so I had to purchase those extra. The bobbins are all plastic but seem to work fine. My biggest concern was the walking foot going over larger seems but today I was sewing tabs on a purse and both the tabs and the part of the purse I was attaching them to had batting and it sewed without a problem. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions...