I have a Bernina 630 with a stitch regulator and do use it. However, I learned to do free motion long before I got the machine with the stitch regulator, so at time I find that it slows me down because I can actually outrun the regulator. If you are new to free motion quilting you will love it, because it will help your stitches to be more the same size. It still requires practice, practice, practice, but if you really want to machine quilt, or any other skill for that matter, what doesn't take practice or a learning curve. Just because we are adults we sometimes think that we should learn to do thinkgs much faster. Only wish that were true. :) Having said all that, I would go for a Bernina, hands down, no second thoughts!!!