margecam52

Join different Yahoo groups that are for the different longarm machines you are considering. Remember that these yahoo groups tend to have mostly those with issues posting to them. I am on several longarm groups, including TinLizzie18, Gammill etc. I think I left the Innova group...but still am on APQS, and a couple machine quilting groups. Why, when I own a TL18LS 2009 model, do I still belong to the others? Because they all have posts dealing with tension, stitch issues...and what is tried and found to work on one machine, can work on another brand.

I started the TinLizzieLongarm yahoo group when TL company closed their yahoo group. I show as the owner, but every member owns our group...I just happened to start it. We have about 1,000 members, but, only about 1 to 2% ever post. Why? Because the other 99% aren't having issues. Those who reply to the "help needed" posts are those of us who have had the same issues (usually tension, or other user error type issues), or are dealers & can help troubleshoot & resolve some issues...very few are ever issues the company has to get involved with. Usually a dealer or their tech can resolve the issues.
TL company has really stepped up their customer service...they have finally realized they have to stand behind their products, especially if the dealer/techs aren't able to help. Innova is good, so are most Gammill dealer/techs....just a matter of what you can afford. I've seen some Nolting lovers out there also.
The main issue I've had with my TL18LS was when I had loaded the bobbin wrong (wasn't in all the way)...it stitched a row of Qbot auto stitching...the top thread wound around the bobbin hook area for that whole row...threw Lizzie out of time. I already knew how to time a machine...so retimed her myself...but had my tech check it... and broke encoders twice...my errors.
Another thing to remember...these machines are NOT home sewing machines on a frame (not true longarms anyhows)..you will have a learning curve (again, join a group for the machine you end up with), be ready to learn how to do some troubleshooting on your own, and for techs over the phone. A dealer within driving distance is nice (if they know how to fix the machine)...but good company support is key.

Find a way to try the different machines if you can...I went with the closest dealer (no longer in existence)...I was going to go with another brand, but a local (70 mile round trip) dealer had the TL18LS on sale...so I bought from her.

HandiQuilter is another good brand. Most true longarms are good brands...just depends on what you want in the way of bells and whistles.
I paid about 6K for my TL18LS in 2009 & then a couple years later 1,500 to add the Qbot robot. I call my setup my "poorman's statler"... and I love it!