Joe, I understand your problem with the 15, though I don't share it. Get a 301 - the whole end raises up.
I cannot agree with the bird's nest on vertical bobbins. No machine jams more easily IF YOU DON'T HOLD THE THREADS WHEN YOU START than my vintage Elna which has a horizontal bobbin. The 301 (vertical) doesn't know how to snarl - my 15 clone a little more so, but not like the Elna.