I have all Berninas and I think they're great machines. The 820 purchased was so I had more throat space, which is really wonderful. I remember reading a review that said this is a sewing computer not a sewing machine. And that really is true. It really thinks it's the boss of me, like it won't let me thread the top thread unless the bobbin is inserted and the door is closed. And if I thread the top without using the automatic threader, the tension isn't engaged. But the little annoyances are worth the good tension and large throat space. There was a definite learning curve though.