Get the longarm. Someone posted on here that she has an 830 and has nothing but problems with it and I have heard that more than once. When I was looking into getting a longarm I was seriously considering the same Bernina set-up as you but my husband said 'get what you REALLY want then later on you won't be sorry with what you got' . He was right. I got the Handi Quilter Avante and couldn't be happier. Bernina is a great machine but it isn't a longarm. Good luck and congratulations.
Take your time and look at as many machines as you can, test-drive and ask a lot of questions. You may be able to get a new longarm for a lot less than that Bernina. My Avante was $9500. brand new with stitch regulator and stand alone bobbin winder.
Last edited by watson's mom; 09-28-2013 at 10:49 PM.