Bernina 580
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,535
I have the 440 which is considered a workhorse by my Bernina dealer. I think the 500 series replaced the 440 but I do not have any experience with that series. If the machine is preowned, check if the warranty is transferable or if it is past warranty. Is it from a shop that will give you support or someone else?
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Asheville, previously Lake Vermilion, Tarpon Springs, Duluth, St Paul, Soudan
Posts: 1,651
Here are some reviews from owners of the machine.
https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/fuzzysearch.pl
https://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/fuzzysearch.pl
#5
I have owned about 7 Berninas. I started with the 1020 which is the last of the mechanicals just before the computerized ones. I loved the 1020 as it had needle up/down and seemed to sew no matter what the weather or kind of thread I had. My rag rug business was booming and I would have employees sewing the ends of the fabric together.
Then I bought one of the cheaper computerized models when they came out. I returned it, I hated that machine so much. I went back to ebay and began buying more 1020's.
The business sold with all the machines except for one which I still have. Since I was not a good sewing machine mother, I would ride them hard and put them away wet. (Horse llingo) This last machine has had a new hook, and recently spent some time at a shop. I think it it trying to wear out.
So the bottom line is that the older machines are good ones, but I could never get along with the computers.
Then I bought one of the cheaper computerized models when they came out. I returned it, I hated that machine so much. I went back to ebay and began buying more 1020's.
The business sold with all the machines except for one which I still have. Since I was not a good sewing machine mother, I would ride them hard and put them away wet. (Horse llingo) This last machine has had a new hook, and recently spent some time at a shop. I think it it trying to wear out.
So the bottom line is that the older machines are good ones, but I could never get along with the computers.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Philomath, Oregon
Posts: 2,076
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
When the "old" 5 Series first came out, they had issues. They experimented with things. The new "Next Generation" 5 Series is awesome! It's like they worked all the bugs out, and got it right.
When the 8 Series first came out, it was a disaster. They had dealers replacing 20 parts, rotated the hook 30 degrees, re-designed the bobbin case and had repeated firmware updates. The new 880s are fixed, but they're so over-engineered, you have to be a rocket scientist to run it.
The 7 Series is the product of all of that trial and error. The 790 is my dream machine! I had to sew 12 layers of denim at the store on Monday, and it did it without a hitch.
When the 8 Series first came out, it was a disaster. They had dealers replacing 20 parts, rotated the hook 30 degrees, re-designed the bobbin case and had repeated firmware updates. The new 880s are fixed, but they're so over-engineered, you have to be a rocket scientist to run it.
The 7 Series is the product of all of that trial and error. The 790 is my dream machine! I had to sew 12 layers of denim at the store on Monday, and it did it without a hitch.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4,840
I recently bought a B570 QE to replace my 153 QE, and I really don't like it. I thought the dual feed, stitch regulator, larger harp, and larger bobbin would be wonderful, but they aren't. I think my precision piecing is suffering from the wider spaced feed dogs. I will never do any machine embroidery, so I don't need that feature. My 153 was called a sewing computer instead of a sewing machine, but the 570 is more of a computer. Nothing seems intuitive to me. I wish I hadn't spent all that money.
Leslie
Leslie
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lpsewing
Main
10
03-06-2012 09:52 AM