I had one on my pfaff 1222 from 1977 and when it was time to replace the machine, that feature alone weighed heavily on the choice of my new pfaff 1475 around 1005--2000... they have merged with janome/new home and even singer so now the feature is available on a wide variety of machines... i absolutely love it...that and the little light that shows me when i have 3 ft of thread left on my bobbin...