The Viking was going to be my retirement gift to self..I bought the "Lilly 555" I have hated it since day 1..lol..got the same deal your looking at..bought a "Brother" from a Wal-mart to carry back and forth to group and use it all the time..it cost a lot less..to be fair..2 members of my group use Vikings and love theirs..I'm looking for a new one this year..going to try out a few before this purchase!!