I got to test drive this machine about a month ago. Like PPQ I found the machine moved wonderfully. I posted a list of pros and cons but now can't find it so I assume the thread must have got deleted for some reason.
I found that the machine was too electronics dependent. It did not appear to offer any way for the owner to do their own maintenance or repairs (such as reset timing, adjust needle bar height, etc). The upper tension disks are not accessible, except to a Bernina Tech, so you can't tweak them manually, all tension adjustments are done via touch screen. The stitch regulator, while delivering a beautiful stitch and more responsive then anything I have ever tested, was laser driven as opposed to encoders that run on the rails. While this at first was very appealing to me, I am concerned that if one of those laser lights goes out you are SOL. I also wonder if Bernina recommends annual servicing on this machine like they do all their others. If so, that is one monstrous task to take a huge machine head off the rack and haul it off to your dealer, then schelp it back and reinstall it. Well I guess some people are ok with that but I would not be.
Some people will love all the high tech electronics, I feel it is way too much to go wrong and put you out of commission for much longer then if you had a mechanical machine with a similar breakdown, that you stand a chance of fixing yourself (like the aforementioned timing). Additionally I did not ask if the warranty would be voided if you quilted for hire. (entirely possible)
So, IMHO, this is not the machine for someone who quilts for hire. It will probably be a great machine for someone who just quilts for themselves and maybe a few friends and family but that is a pretty high price tag for limited use like that. You can get a VERY nice professional LA with stitch regulation, on any size rack from 10 to 14 ft for that price.
Edited to add, I am a huge fan of Bernina. My DSM is a Bernina and I adore it. So I am not trying to dis this LA. Just putting out the items I had concerns about as a professional LAQ.
also found my original post here (post #24):
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t265660-3.html