Originally Posted by
mkc
...How do most people learn about longarms, whether they like them, want to get one, know enough to do proper test "drives" when it's time to buy, etc.?
Even though you said you had tried them at shows, that's how I determined what brand/size/etc I eventually purchased.
I went to one of the big AQS shows - there were about 13-14 different brands of longarms, some I had never heard of before (and some which have since gone out of business). I went to the show 4-5 days, specifically to try the machines. I "test drove" every one of them, SEVERAL times.
Don't let the surrounding crowd at a show bother or intimidate you - they're not critiquing your skill, they're watching to see how easy it would be for THEM to learn!! They probably are too scared to even try the machine themselves!
Don't let the "famous" name brands intimidate you into buying something you're not comfortable with either! You have to consider what "feels right" to you!! Just like some people like small cars, other like minivans, and others like SUV's, a longarm needs to fit your comfort zone - not just money-wise, but how it "drives" for you.
Also, if you're not intending to buy a computer/robot system, don't let a "hard sell" influence you either. That's actually just one more thing to learn. (BTW, a computer system does NOT automatically make you an award-winning quilter - it's just one more thing to learn, ON TOP OF learning the longarm itself!!)
Make a list of things that are important to you, then try every brand you can, especially if you can try them at the same time, like at a quilt show. It makes it easier to do a valid comparison. Also, make a list of questions beforehand. Once you're at the show, being dazzled by the sales pitches, it's easy to forget the things that are important to ask about... things like service locations, hands-on training, ongoing support (upgrades to the embedded computer-boards and stuff), and so on.
I did all of the above, for about 2 YEARS, before I finally bought my system. I've never regretted my purchase.
One final note - once you do buy a system, look for either a Facebook or Yahoo users group. You will find SO MUCH HELP there!! There will be others that are happy to share their experience, knowledge, and tweaks that they have discovered.
Good luck!!
The machine I ended up getting was not "top of the line", did not have a computer system, and doesn't have any bells and whistles. It has a stitch regulator and it's own bobbin winder, but other than that, it's plain "vanilla". I've had her 10 years now, and have no plans to buy another one. I toy sometimes with the idea of getting the robotics for her, but usually decide I'm happy with what I have, as this is my main creative outlet.