I have the 7700 I love the throat. I can do my own quilting, any size. I figure I have broken even with cost since I do not have to pay someone to FMQ it for me. I first few quilts I did I paid someone to quilt it and when I gave them my gift they loved it and then asked did you do this its awesome...meaning the stippling. I said No...and that is when I decided I wanted a machine that I could do the FMQ'ing myself. Now I when they ask....do you do that...I can say YUP...Just for you...they only thing I do not like about the 7700 is that it does not like thick seams. So when I machine stitch my binding it can be a pain at times. I may start using my treadle for the bindings.