If you have mastered the other techniques and enjoy the quilting I would go for it. I got an HQ and love it. Not as good, I guess, as the more $$ ones but I love it. Don't wait to get the retrofit. Get that feature from the start. It will actually save you in the long run as you won't have to make changes to your machine. Just because you have the capability to use the SW patterns does NOT mean you cannot also do freehand. With my HQ I often use both on a quilt. I can get precise, repeatable patterns but still put in my own personal work. Good luck.