I have a Bernina 180 which is my travel machine and a 550. The needle threader is a little tricky and if you want to use it just keep plugging away. Most of the time I just thread mine manually. I should use the threader more often and get use to it. I got the 550 because the 180 has an embroidery module I've never used and I didn't need another machine with a feature I wouldn't use.