I recently bought the new Handi Quilter Avante. I have had it 3 weeks. It has 15" of quilting space, enough for me, if it was much bigger, I would have trouble reaching across to start and pull bobbing thread up. Let alone trying to reach over to load backing. "Talk about smooth!!!!"
I got the Studio Frame with mine, and love everthing about it. I never tried out any other machine, fell in love with Handi Quilter 10 years ago, and knew that when the time came, that is what I would buy. The only maintance is a drop of oil in bobbin housing every other bobbin change, and to keep lint out of the area. I have just finished my second qult, a 100 x 116" oversize king, and I can say that everything went smooth and it looks great. My machine was set up by my rep and then I was given over 4 hours of training on it before she left for the day. The price was right compared with other long or mid arm machines. I knew if I went for a less expensive machine and table, I would never be happy.