I have the Babylock Imagine which I bought because of the auto threading. I had another serger for years and was just thrilled when this auto thread feature came out. It really does make it so much easier to use.

I have a self threading Babylock and love it,may not use it often but when I need it it is there waiting.

Love, love, love my Babylock Imagine, looked into upgrading a couple years ago and just felt there was not enough difference to justify the cost of the upgrade. It was expensive at the time, and I am sure they still are, but worth every penny in my opinion.

I also have the Juki 634 like DonnaPBradshaw, and have used it for at least 20 years. There is a learning curve on threading and using the different feet, but love mine and would buy Juki again. I did take some serger classes to learn how to thread, gather, rolled hem, etc.

I had a Singer serger for years and used it rarely because it was hard to thread and set tension. I finally bought a Baby Lock Evolution. It is wonderful! Self threading and auto tension. I use it all the time. Any of the Baby Lock sergers would be great. People who have the Imagine rave about it too. They are a little pricey, but worth it in my opinion. You can find them on eBay sometimes. Baby Lock has a new serger just coming out. You might be able to find a good used one when people trade up for the new model.

I have an old pfaff serger for $50. If I was going to buy new it would be the Babylock air thread kind. No more threading hassles.

I only use my serger for garment sewing (essential) and the occasional sergered edge on quilts (but a zig-zag on a sewing machine would work too).

I would first think through a few things:
--How much do I want to spend. The self threaders are nice but very pricey. If this were my first time using one, I would save my money and try the old thread it myself type.
--How much would I use it. [I use mine more for sewing or finishing seams on quilted items like purses or bowls or fleece blankets.]

I do have the Pfaff 4852 and love it. I can't justify the cost of the self threading serger.

I have had the Viking Huskylock for nearly 20 years and wouldn't be without it. Once you have threaded it correctly once or twice it will become straightforward and I have never had a problem once I worked it out. It is wonderful for all sorts of sewing and gives a professional finish on everything from chiffon to fleece. I believe some quilters use a serger for piecing but I have never tried it.

I don't have the juki but saw one demoed and it was very consistent beautiful stitches with multiple fabrics. Didn't look the easiest to thread but once you figure it out it should be easier so now I am confused if I want a brother. Babylock are nice but way too expensive you can get a nice server that does a great job for around 500

I LOVE my serger! The best one I have ever had was an Elna; until some incompetent repairman messed it up. I now have a Babylock and it is great also. Very easy to use. Great threading and good instructions.
Judy