i got eq5 when it came out. i LOVE it! i don't buy any patterns... just draw my own. and like peperprincess, i love it for color placement. it takes just a minute to change your colorways. if eq7 is too pricey for you, try looking for a used eq5. i don't recommend eq6 as it has limited lives. also, our member Rhonda, has done tutorials here on the board on how to use each of them.