Elizabeth, not sure about the size 12 needles - I use 14 in mine. They are regular Organ needles.
The stitch regulator has caused me some consternation...I could get fairly even stitches but it didn't seem to be perfect. However, one of the sensors went out and I think that is what caused it. I called Chuck and he is sending me a replacement. I will let you know more about it when I get it and can try it out.
The range of stitch size is very large it seems. You can get a fairly long one which I know some people like. Stitch quality is nice.
I wish someone would make a bobbinless machine. I agree, though, that these bobbins hold a lot more. I also have a bobbin winder I got from FancyQuilt and it seems to really wind a lot of thread on it. I usually go through 2 bobbins for a large lap size quilt.