i pretty much ALWAYS quilt without my stitch regulator- i have a few customers who come in & rent time & they always use it- but that is the only time it is turned on- i haven't used it in years- actually hate it.
and i've always when teaching anyone on the machine had them learn without it- i kind of rank it right up there with a 'cruise control' on a car- i believe you should be pretty good at driving-have control- long before you ever turn on the cruise feature- same goes for the long-arm- you should have good control, ability before using the feature....just my opinion