There is a couple of things Vikings have that just make quilting easier for me. The sensor system is fabulous for going over multiple seam intersections; the pivoting feature lifts the presser foot just enough to get your fabric underneath and lined up nicely (and being able to engage it with a foot tap while both hands are on the fabric is sooo nice); being able to move the needle over is a must have for me; and the stitch quality on both of my Vikings is just fantastic. I don't have the Sapphire, but if they would have been out when I purchased my little Viking I would have chosen it over the 4 x 4 embroidery field on the Scandinavia just for the throat room. The Sapphires are the first machines that Viking has put all the really important stuff (IMHO) on that wasn't at a top of the line price.