I'm going to make the 40 mile trip to the HQ long arm dealer today.

I've been doing some research on long arms and found this dealer.

Any suggestions, or things I should look for?

just play with it and see how it feel to you.we had an HQ16 but sold it for an Innova.look the frame over.the frame that mounts on a table is not very sturdy-the pro frame is much better.have fun trying it out.we drove 5 hrs to the quilt expo to try them all -oh my what a fun day.I am not saying HQ is bad just that for us the Innova was a much better fit and industrial frame.

HQ makes a great machine, truly. Their frame is their weakness. Make sure if you buy one you go with the pro frame. The Avante setup is much improved over the HQ16 models, with the new track system.

Saying that, I love my APQS much more, and they have models in the same price range as the HQ, with much nicer frames.

Thank you for your input. I will be sure to look at the frames. I'm just starting this process and all the input will be much appreciated about any machine.

My limitation will be the size of the frame (I have some space limitations) and my reach. I'm "vertically challenged", as my son likes to put it. He's 6'4" and I'm only 5'3". Though I would like to get one with a very large throat space... I don't think I'd be able to utilize a 24" one.

Keep the info coming...

The Avante would be perfect for you, it's a very nice setup!

indeed. I bought one used from a quilt shop that is closing, and the frame and machine setup is plenty surdy, and quite the work horse.