my (very personal opinion) is- you should have good control/ability of your stitching before using the stitch regulator---kind of like learning to drive-before using cruise control-
that is just me- i have a stitch regulator which i pretty much never ever turn on- i have a friend who rents time on my machine who ALWAYS no matter what uses it. i learned my machine with out it- then found i really hated it when i did try it...but like i said- that's me- some people feel they would never ever quilt without one- some of us have found good stitch control through lots of practice and don't depend on one.