The good thing about strait stitch machines is you can put them on a long arm table and connect a stitch regulator to them.
The bad thing is they have a complicated threading system and a under the machine bobbin. They are primitive compared to the computerized machines. But they are much better for piecing.
I have the Baby Lock Jane, which is a brother 1500, set up on a table. I also have a Viking Sapphire that wont sew over bumps but other wise I love.
They are so different from each other. It is nice to have both.