I would like to know if any one could tell me your feelings on the horizon 7700 as compared to the janome 6600. Here is the story, I for the longest time I have wanted the janome 6600. So last week my husband went and talked to the owner at our local sewing machine shop, unknown to me. Today he took me down to the shop and surprised me with a new horizon 7700. Much larger harp space. I would appreciate any advise. Thanks. :)

I think I would have still gotten the 6600 (although I don't like it as much as the 6500) over the Horizon. I don't like that toggle dial through the stitches instead of putting the stitch number in on a number pad but I am sure you will get used to it in no time and be posting some wonderful projects soon!

Congrats!

Both machines have very active yahoo groups, lots of friendly support. The Horizon has 2" more in the harp. There were bugs in the beginning, but Janome has made fixes and replaced machines, so I'd go for it! The 6600 doesn't have a free arm, btw.

I have the 6600 and love it. But thought seriously about spending the extra money for the 7700, luckily the sales lady was very knowledgable asked me what my plans were and suggested I go with the 6600. I had 6 months to change my mind to apply all of my purchase to the up grade. I didn't do it.

So if I were you, I would thank your husband and totally enjoy the new machine. They are both great machines.

I love my Horizon :) You will love your's too

I think it depends on what you're going to use the machine for. What good is a free arm if you don't do any garment sewing? How many hundred fancy stitches does one really need?
I have the 6600 and to be honest, I wish I had gone with a midarm straight stitch machine. I simply do not use 85-90% of the machine's options. It's cool to say I have a fancy machine but at the end of the day I kinda wish I had gone with something with a lot less bells and whistles.

I am a very satisfied Horizon owner! I love the extra harp space, the free arm, and all the other extras. I have had no problems with my machine and I use it almost all day every day! I've had it 4 months now and I am so happy I picked this machine. If you can, take advantage of the free lessons and join the Memory Craft group. I've learned so much about my machine and all it can do. Congrats on your new machine. You have a great guy. I think he's a keeper.

Off course the Horizon is pretty much the newest on the market at this moment. It does has a larger throat, which makes the quilting on King sized Quilts so much easier.

I don't own the Horizon, but the Elna 740. Which is made by Janome too and almost exact the same.

I like the different features and are happy with it. Tinker around and get used to it. I'm pretty sure you will love it just as much.

One of the other features I love about it is the lighting. Can it get any better than that?

Keep your sewing machine purring!

I've had the 7700 for a year and I do love it! The way it FMQs is outstanding to say the least. The extra harp space is really super when moving the quilt around. Many different machines are loved by their owners! If your husband bought it for you, settle back and learn to use it-you'll never regret it. As far as the toggle wheel, I wouldn't design it, but I'm so used to it, it's no problem. Enjoy!!!

I tried both the Horizon and the 6600. They are both fabulous machines but couldn't get used to the toggle dial on the Horizon. Also I know there were issues with the automatic needle hole. (You don't need to have an extra face plate to keep fabric from being pulled into bobbin case when you are sewing) I have several other machines so don't need the free arm. I chose the 6600 and love it, I sew with it just about every day.
Which ever machine you use your husband is a real gem. Good for you.