I think if you are an experienced free motion quilter you will be able to get nice stitches pretty quickly without the stitch regulator. I went from the Janome 8900 to the Baby Lock Tiara and it was an easy transition.

I bought the stitch regulator and don't know that I would do it again. With the settings on the machine you will be able to find your own sweet spot combination.

I know Texas is a long ways from Vancouver Island, but if anyone in Washington State is thinking about a sit down quilting machine...

My LQS has a Janome sit down machine on for $4725.00 plus tax Canadian. With the strong US dollar that comes out to $3400 US plus tax.