Babylock also owns Amazing Designs which has the Amazing Box card reader. The reader is pretty good. I have the reader/writer from Babylock Cardworks, (no longer made). I had a Viking Rose and promptly got the reader/writer software so I didn't have to put up with buying cards for one design. If you like your machine, that might be a cheaper option. Give you time to really investigate all machines, how you use them, and what suits you. You can sell the box with the machine. It's just as easy as a USB stick.
I don't know how embroidery intensive this group is, but I someone I know who worked for a dealer was a Pfaff instructor. She enlarged some complicated designs just to show off the 14x14 Grand Dream hoop. Took around 6+ hours to do the design. I tried a fancy design with only 4 colors on a Babylock 6 needle, and that took 3. If you are not into that type of embroidery, don't go by largest hoop size, go by feature and ease of use.
I have the 12x12 Dream hoop (came with machine) and have used it once.
My machine has a 5x5 hoop that has inserts for heavy and light fabrics. I use it for raggies with 8x8 squares. It will take top, batting, and bottom with no strain.
Babylock and Brother had 8x8 hoops which are easier for quilting - either embroidering quilting designs or in the hoop.
Another thing would be a good hoop that lets you move fabric right on the machine without rehooping. Pfaff and Viking have the Continous Hoop, and other mfg should have something similar by now.
I have a Pfaff 2170 and have no intention of getting anything else. It does what I want and has a vertical bobbin.
Last edited by Weezy Rider; 11-30-2013 at 06:36 AM.