Does anyone on here have this machine. I am thinking about buying one and would like some opinions first. Is it noisy when it sews and is it smooth when stitching. I hate a noisy machine. Thank you to everyone. Carol

I love, love, love mine. I just recently purchased the Horizon and have had so much fun playing with it. It took a long time to make the decision to buy it - but I certainly am a happy camper.

Janome has a reputation for making quiet machines. The 7700 has been on my wish list. You'll love it. It's a workhorse. I have 2 Janome's and doubt I will ever use anything else.

I have one and absolutely love it. I wouldn't say it is noisey at all. Unless I rattle along at top speed and then it's only because it's sitting on a piece of plywood in my desk. The machine itself I don't find noisey at all. Go and test drive one and see what you thing.

I have this machine. Am just getting to know how to use it. Pieced my first baby quilt on it this week. Unfortunately the dealer who sold it to me went out of business about a month later so I am having to teach myself how to use it. Lucky I have 50 years of sewing under my belt. I don't find it to be particularly noisy but when I am quilting I am not thinking about the noise the machine is making. I think if it were unusually noisy I would notice. I purchased because I am a free motion quilter and have been quilting on my old Singer 301 for years. Decided I wanted more throat area and this was the machine that I felt I could afford. Didn't want a long arm and couldn't afford the only other machine with a larger throat area, which was a Bernina 801. For the money I don't think you can find a better buy.

I really like the large throat..there are a few things that drive me crazy but maybe its because I am self learning.

May I ask what bothers you about it. Thanks.

The fabric gets stuck in the plate more than seems normally, the bobbin goes nuts with its running low and there is no warning when its out. It does not like thick seams....like bindings.(I never had a problem doing thick seams with my Kenmore) Most of the time I can get it to keep going. I am a fairly new sewer and do not know alot about the machine so maybe I am doing something wrong. I also still do not get the single hole plate. I do like how I can FMG a queen quilt with no problems...

I brought my Horizon home on Feb 9. For me there's a pretty steep learning curve as I've never had a computerized machine before, let alone on that does this much.

No, it's not noisy. I FMQs beautifully (even though I don't...yet!), the stitches are gorgeous and is, of course, a ton of room in the throat.

There were a couple of issues with the Horizon when it first came out. The first one was that when using the 1/4 inch foot it wouldn't go evenly over seams. Janome has redesigned the foot and and everyone who owns the machine gets a replacement when they register it (I'm still waiting for mine) or else the new O2 foot will come with your machine if it's recent come in to the dealer.

The other issue was with the automatic plate converter - the little tab was coming off. They apparently have fixed this by using a larger rivot/weld and it's been reported the problem has been resolved (and if it happens, the dealer will replace the faceplate with the remade one).

These two issues stressed me, but I decided to go ahead and purchase it anyhow as it sounds like they have the bugs worked out. I have not been disappointed so far, not by a long shot. I love it. It has the absolute workhorse feel of my older Kenmore Janome, and a lot more advanced features than my Baby Lock Crafter's Choice, both of which are great machines in their own right. And again, the FMQ is to die for. The autotension has worked very well in almost everything I've tried, and they make (optional) a FMQ bobbin case that has preset tension for FMQing (highly recommended if this is what you are going to be doing with it). I am far from putting it through all its paces, however, it can do so much that I've not even attempted yet. It'll be a while!

It's a big purchase. Read all you can, and test drive it (several times if possible) to be sure you will be comfortable and it is really what you want.

The bobbin case is that the blue bobbin case?? or something else? I haven't bought anything for the bobbin but think I need to. Please let me know what you bought.

Yes, the bobbin case with the blue dot. I got my dealer to throw that and the binding tool in with my deal.

Do you have the new O2 foot? And if you do, does it still hesitate going over seams? I read here that if you use the A foot and set the needle at 5.5 it'll give you perfect 1/4 inch seams and no hesitation - worked very well for me - but I still am anxious to try the new O2 foot.

There's a search button at the top of the page. LOTS of topic threads on this machine. All you have to do is look. You'll find lots of info :)

Great!!! I am going to get that bobbin case. I also have the binding tool but havn't figuredd it out yet...I do have the o2 foot and that works well. Thanks for the tip on the 5.5 to set the needle. I was using 3.7 Thank you so much for these tips!!

double post

That 5.5 is with the A foot, not the 1/4 inch of course. Just didn't want any broken needles/jammed machine! :)

Have you tried the accufeed? That seems like it'll pull anything through it!

Sometimes its a bit hard to use. I was going to ask the deal about it. It seemed like it worked great in the beginning. I may be doing something wrong. It does sew quilt pieces like a dream...very fast and quiet. I love FMQ'ing on it also. I do wish there were more info and tips and tricks. I have researched alot. Not too much out there but a few good sites.

When you tested the machine, was it sitting on a sturdy top or on a plastic table? That would contribute to noisiness. Most of the Janome machines I have had have not been nearly as noisy as the Brothers, Vikings and Singers I have used.

We got your message LDJ. Most of those are older, but still very useful. Thanks.

We are just excited about our machines and it's fun to have a more current discussion.

I recently did some SID with the accufeed - it was fantastic.

There really isn't a lot out there as far as instruction. I can go in to my dealer anytime for learning, but he's 45 minutes away and it's hard to squeeze it in.

I'm still waiting for my table to come in, too, it was on backorder. It was also part of the package.

Here is a good FMQing link for the Janome. http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/ My husband said the dealer told him I can come down anytime just need to call first. I reallly do need to make the time. same issue...45 min drive and work all day. Let me know how you like the table. I did not purchase that. I figure I can get it later. How do you like the binding tool?? Have you used it?

Thanks for the link - Leah Day's endorsement of the Horizon helped me make up my mind!

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...on-update.html

I don't have a Horizon, I haven't even sewn on it for fear of the "coup de foudre" (clap of thunder in French)-love at first site. But I read the yahoo group digest on it daily and all the QB and patternreview.com threads I find. It seems to me that Janome not only acknowledges, but rectifies, quality control issues. Several owners had their machines entirely replaced at no cost when they had recurring problems. They have a fix for the foot issue and the single hole plate. The newest machines just come with the fixes, but there are still many earlier-run machines on dealer shelves. A scenario I have often read, is that the local dealer kept hemming and hawing about a problem, then the owner got fed up and contacted Janome directly and got a prompt solution. Also some dealers are keeping themselves more informed and saavy than others. I wouldn't hesitate to buy at the right price, knowing the company is behind the machine, but I just got a used Bernina 440 at a great price (which is amazing and very quiet, even at high speed, btw) and have enough <ahem> machines for the moment. My dealer is still at full price on the Horizon, which is better for my bank account right now anyway.

I have had mine for 4 months now and like it more each time I use it. It makes a nice stitch and is quiet. My only complaint is about the built in walking foot. I find it awkward to change back to the regular foot.

Try to work out the single hole plate if you're getting fabric stuck in the hole. I don't bother to use the single hole myself most of the time but it's good to have it in case.

With the bobbin, make sure the little tail that you hold when you start winding the bobbin is trimmed right back. When the bobbin gets low, that tail can get caught and twisted with the thread that comes off as you are sewing (I had this happen)

What foot are you using that it gets stuck on? Do you have the new O2 foot. And have you tried the Accufeed feet? I simply love the accufeed system. There are additional feet you can buy..like the Accufeed 1/4" foot. Also, try sewing with less pressure on the presser foot. I sew generally with it on about 3 or 4.



Also, anyone with this machine, or contemplating getting it, can join the Yahoo JanomeHorizon 7700 group. It's a great group and there's lots and lots of information and help there. I joined before I bought my machine.

Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to give me their feedback about this machine. I tried it out this morning and like it but am not crazy about it. I am going to try out a 6600 just for comparison.If anyone cares to comment on their 6600 I would be happy to hear from you.
Thanks again, Carol