Janome Horizon 7700 or 8200? Do you have one?
 

I am looking to buy a wide throat machine for FMQ'ing. I've narrowed the choice down to Janome, and between the 7700 or the 8200. I would love to get the 8900, but it is out of my price range.

I was wondering if anyone has either of these machines? What are your likes and dislikes?

Thanks.

Gayle

I considered those machines and then found the Brother VQ3000 (Dreamweaver). The Dreamweaver is super quiet, sews over 8 layers of denim with the Movit foot, laser light, laser pen plus the optional programmable foot control there was no contest from my point of view.

How wide is the throat on the dreamweaver?

Is the price over $2500?

Thanks.

I have the 7700, I had the 6500 but wanted to upgrade because of the throat, I really like mine because I do all of my own free motion quilting, Also like the thread cutter and lights, only thing that I do not like is changing the feet that are not snap on. There is a metal piece that is in the way of screw. Maybe my fingers are to large but it is difficult for me. This is not a problem that I run into a lot because most of the feet are snap on and they work fine,
Otherwise I like everything about the machine.

I have the 8200. I like it, most of all feet you want are included in the price. The pop up throat plate is easy. The large throat is wonderful for free motion of larger quilts. One thing I learned, you must use the single hole throat plate or you will have problems with FM. Mine is picky when it comes to thread. The machine is whisper quiet (I like this). I didn't get the 8900 because I couldn't justify paying that much more for more fancy stitches that I would never use. Go to your Janome dealer and test both machines. Let us know what you decide

I have the 7700 and love it.

Toodie11, I agree 100% with the 7700's issue with changing the feet, I with the Acufeed feet were easier to change, but they aren't, oh well. I loved my 7700 and I still have it, but recently traded in my 11000SE for the 15000 so the 7700 is now my second machine with the 15000 being the new baby. The 7700 is a work horse and I have had no issues with her.

7700. I bought mine new in 2010 and it started a whole new era of quilting for me.

I like the large throat and the fact that FMQ seems to always look good--the only time I've had problems is when I've had a piece of thread caught in the thread guide. Getting it out was a pain--but managed each time.

I just sent mine in for the first professional cleaning since I got it and I've used and used it. I do regularly clean out the bobbin area and my DH cleaned out the bottom (where you have to take it apart) once in that time.

However, mine hasn't been "whisper quiet" for some time now. It is the main reason I'm sending it back for professional servicing. It was very quiet when I first got it.

I accidentally took out the wick during my first cleaning. I was trying to be so thorough! Mistake! Am hoping the service people can put an "official wick" back in. I put a piece of felt in there once I realized what I had done.

I have a 12000 as well and prefer the pop out throat plate to the one where you have to screw it out.

I chose a 7700 as my first "higher end machine" because it was affordable but had a good reputation. They are solidly built, heavy duty machines. I've been able to push king sized quilts through that throat plate and not push it around. I did put it on one of those nonsticky mats that helps keep things in place. It has quite a different feel from my previous "hobby" type machines--they sewed fine but were very light weight and I could easily push it all over the table as I was sewing.) This one (7700) is a serious machine and feels like it.

I've had my 7700 for about six weeks and really like it. I had only sewn on Bernina for the last 30 years. It is easy to learn how to use and the FMQ is very roomy with the large throat space. The extra lighting is very nice. The only thing I haven't mastered is the needle threader but I could never master that on my Bernina either!

I bought a 7700 18 months ago and I love it. I had done no FMQ at all before that. Since then I have done numerous placemats and over 45 quilts. Most of those were baby-sized charity quilts, but the throat easily accomodated a queen-sized quilt.

I have used many different threads and all have worked once I found the correct tension setting.

Using the APC set to straight stitch (D1S) is crucial for FMQ. It is also important to set the hopping foot so that it is not too far above the quilt to prevent thread breakage.

The 7700 is not as good with thick fabric like hemming jeans as my Bernina 1130 was.