I bought the Avante 18 in April and I LOVE it. It's so smooth to operate and easy to boot. Their customer support is wonderful and available at all times. HQ has so many you-tube video tutorials it's like having an instructor in your quilting room with you. For the first time ever my free motion actually looks like free motion, nice round curves and no cross-over lines. Be sure to look up Jamie Wallen tutorials for longarmers, they have so much common sense info especially for beginners. Good luck with whatever you buy.