I have a Janome 1100DX and it is great. The only downfall is the threading but the best thing to do is to jump in and learn. Have had no issues, and it is very user friendly. The self-threading feature is nice but is it worth the extra that you could use on thread, and fabric. Go to the various shops, take scraps of fabric that YOU will use when serging and spend some time getting acquainted. Don't fall for the best deal ever and that it evaporates when you walk out. Times are tough and the dealers need your business, make them earn it.