The Smarter looks like a copy of the original Babylock Quest. BL was the first to grab the IDT, and did it fairly decently. It also used Pfaff's 9mm feet. I've sewn on the Original Quest, now the Serenade, and would compare the sewing to my Pfaff 2170. Using the machine did have a learning curve, far different from the Elegante and Ellure. I haven't seen the Singer, but I have seen the Smarter, and I think I would keep the 2170. The Pfaff looks cheaper than the Quest. If you can use a single stitch, Juki and Brother have far better machines than those. I haven't sewn on a Janome, but those who have them seem to like them. I'm finding the Single stitch works better on some garment construction, never mind piecing.