Hi...I have the 7700 and love it :) I don't know the 9700 at all and the little I saw when I googled it, it looks quite small in the throat area and it appears it does embroidery.

The 7700 has an 11" throat space with is wonderful if you are going to quilt. However, it is not an embroidery machine, if that is what you are wanting. It does have 3 different styles of alphabet for a bit of monogramming but they are quite limited really, compared to what I've seen an embroidery machine do.

The 7700 has the Accufeed system (which is a built in walking foot system) that you can buy various feet for (some come with the machine). They are really great for using when constructing quilts as they feed all the layers through evenly and I use mine all the time. Even for normal sewing at times. The 7700 is certainly suitable for general sewing, just not for embroidery.

the bobbin case that has the blue dot on it is for free motion quilting or embroidery. It's supposed to have a slightly different tension for that kind of work. I use it often and with a bobbin washer as well.

I have had my 7700 for about 6 months now and love, love, love it. I even use it on my quilting frame because she's so big!
I have no problem with 1/4" seams. I'm not too impressed with feet that have a blade on them so this is what I do.
I use my walking foot for almost everything, including piecing. I pick a landmark on the foot as my guide. For instance, the outside edge of the right hand rectangular opening. Then I move my needle to the right until my stitch is exactly the scant 1/4" that I want. For me, it's when the stitch width number is 6.0
The blue dot bobbin case is not necessary for FMQ, only if you're going to use "exotic" weights of thread for thread painting etc. The regular case works just fine for most threads that you'd use for piecing or regular quilting.
The screw on the side of the bobbin case is the tension adjustment and is easy to adjust.
Personally, I think once you fall in love with Janome, you'll never go back to another machine.

I have the Horizon too. Recently purchased it to do FM. Friends have it too....and we all love it. We all also have Janome embroidery machines and small Janome machines for travel...

I think for the money you pay for this machine it should come with everything you will ever need.

tjb

I don't mind. I figure I save a ton not having to pay someone to do the FMG'ing for me.

I love my Janome Horizon it is so quiet and sews so easy. It is truly a dream machine

I have one and I love it.

I have that sewing cabinet. Ibought it at Wal mart for $99. It's pretty sturdy but very, very heavy. If you don't sew a lot it's worth it. Ibpught as sewing table and now my machine is lower and much easier on my back.

I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Horizon! I have had it since Thanksgiving. I also have a Janome 6600. I don't know anything about the 9700 to compare it with the Horizon. You can go to Janomes website and put the 2 machines in and it will give you the comparison on the "facts".