Originally Posted by Cari-in-Oly

I've had the 200e and the 350e(same as your 300 but with USB capability) for a few years and love them so when the 500e came along with the bigger hoops I had to get it. I love, love, love it. The hoops are 5.5 and 8 inch square, 5x7 and 8x11 inch rectangle. At some point they're coming out with some smaller hoops for it, they are already there in the machine but you can't choose them, I'm assuming there will be a software update when they become available. There is a learning curve to using it as there are some differences between it and the older machines. If you can get it from a dealer do it so you can get at least the basic class. Threading it is different from the older machines. It comes with two bobbin cases, the yellow dot case for normal embroidery and another case for doing FSL or other techniques where you use a heavier bobbin thread. It also comes with an editing software that you can use with your other machine as well. The software in the machine can do so much more than the older machines, just read the manual thoroughly and you'll have a blast with it. I do.
You do not have to have it serviced if you're comfortable with doing it yourself. One of the most awesome things about the 500 is that there is several pages in the manual that show you how to service this machine. The dealer I bought mine from tried to tell me I had to rip these pages out of the manual because they were put in by mistake. I called her on it because I knew it was B.S. and finally got her to back track and admit it wasn't true. She was just worried about losing service business. I don't take my machines to her anyway, I've been doing my own service on all my machines for years.
I say go for it, you'll love this machine.

Cari