I just got mine recently. I also have a Viking Sapphire. I did get the insert. I wouldn't see any reason to purchase a table that price and not get the insert. I have only sewn curtains on it since I got it, but can tell that it will be great for quilting. I will have to butt another table up to it to support the weight of the quilt because the machine is so large, there isn't much room to the left of the needle. I am dying to do some quilting, but have the grandkids this week and will wait till they go back home before doing that. They are too much of a distraction to me.
When setting it up, we did have to remove several links of the chain to get just the right height. Also, the table arrives pretty quickly, but the insert took about 3 weeks to get.