As others have mentioned, add Innova to your list though you don't have a dealer near you. I also don't have one here in Iowa but I find calling their Customer Service rep (Michael) has helped me thru most of my problems. I started out with a Viking MegaQuilter 9", moved up to a Juki stretched 18" and now the Innova 26". Your best bet is to try them yourself to see how it feels under your own hands. It does make a difference, believe me. I wasn't even in the market for a new machine when I tried the Innova at a quilt show and I fell in love with it right off. It also depends on what you're looking for on the machine you want, how easy it is to fix yourself, how's their customer service, etc. If you can check out these machines you've listed, take various threads that you like to use as each machine seems to prefer certain threads. As you stated you FM, check to see how the machine moved under your hand...................is it sluggish to move in circles, left to right, right to left, diagonally, etc. What can you get for the money compared to other machines? I have the APQS right here in my little town but I went with the Innova cause I could get more for my money but that's me and what all I wanted extra to go with my machine. Your best bet is to try as many machines as you can, even used machines if they've been taken good care of.