long arm quilting machines
 

Good Morning All,
I am looking to upgrade to a bigger long arm. I have my eye on a handi quilter Avante or the APQS Lucey.
I want robotics with the machine but was wondering if anyone has either and their comments on the machines.

Like any machine, try to get to a large quilt show where you can test drive all three machines. This is a large investment and you want to get it right. Good Luck.

I have a very old HQ16 an love it. My dream machine is the Avante.

I bought the HQ fusion 2 months ago and loveeeeeee it, I got the 12 ft gallery frame, it's user friendly (I had never used a long arm before) and I had no issues getting it set up and running. I was going to get the Avante and decided that I would spend a few extra dollars now rather than wishing I had got a bigger machine down the road. Do your research, see if you can try them out. I was not able to get to a show to try them all out but still thrilled with what I got.
As far as robotics I opted to not get them as I prefer to become proficient at freehand designs, it seems one would spend just as much time programming the robotics as one would actually quilting, but if you do get the robotics I would love to hear your thoughts on it. :)

I started small years ago with a Viking MegaQuilter 9", added PCQ robotics which was a waste of my time and money to me. Tried a friend's system and at the time she had moved over to a stretched Juki 18" with a retrofitted PCQ/MQR. Once I tried her system I went home and ordered one of each for myself. Finally got my Juki about a year after I put my name on the list which was fine by me as I was in the process of selling my home and moving to another state. Everything worked perfectly for me and once I got all moved in, etc. I installed the retrofitted MQR to the PCQ carriage. Then I went to my 1st quilt show and one of the ladies mentioned the machine she had, an Innova but she was using the same MQR robotics I had but the upgraded version. Fell in love with the Innova. Went home with stars in my eyes for a new machine in the near future. Mother was living with me at the time and wanted her quilt finished sooner more so than later so she sprung for the new machine plus upgraded robotics. How lucky could I get and yes, her quilt was the 1st one off the new system. Only fair........right? Anyway, I have the APQS right in my very town and I checked on their machines, compared them with the Innova and between price, options and customer service I chose the Innova over the APQS. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the APQS but once I tried my hand on the Innova it just felt right for me. Also, the MQR can be built to fit most any quilt machine so that was another added point for my side. I know this robotics works on an APQS as they have/had one at there shop when I went down to have mine upgraded and get some added lessons on it. Plus the price of MQR is for the most part about half of what you'd pay for some of the other robotic systems out there. Of course there are always some pros and cons to adding a 3rd party robotics system but you'd have to weight them for yourself. I chose to stick with the MQR as I already knew how to run it and the price for upgrading was perfect for me. It also comes with the ProQ Designer program to help with laying out your patterns, editing the patterns as well as some digitizing new patterns. If you already have this program, they normally discount the price of the program when ordering the robotics.

Best advice you'll receive from most of those with machines is to go try them all out and find which one feels right for you and also has all the options you want on the machine plus of course the most important part is what is their customer service like.

I got a Pfaff Powerquilter over a year ago (sit down quilter) and absolutely love it, but I've been experiencing long arm envy for quite some time. I've started looking at machines and it has been confusing my decision. I realize I should probably just go in somewhere and try out machines, but for now I don't have that luxury. The last quilt expo I attended only had HQ. I am wondering if it's somewhat the same with long arms as it is for sit downs, that the machines are all basically the same.

THis fall I went to a Quilt Sew Craft Expo in Portland, OR. Jack Boersma has a gret family shop, and I have seen him at several show in the region. He sells Innova's, and I am IN. Can't wait for the room to be cleared and then I can paint and install flooring for my new baby.

What machine do you have, Nettie?

I've had an HQ16 for several years, and I love it! When I bought it, the monthly special was that a 12' table was free. :) So do ask about specials the various companies may have...perhaps after you've taken the machine(s) for a test drive.

I have the Avante with the ProStitcher and love it! I've found it very easy to use. Was worried about the tension thing but that's been very easy to handle.

I have a Artistic dx 26 inch with a Gracie freedom frame. I’ve been quilting for other people for about 5 years now. This year I added a robot and it took me about a week to learn it and get comfortable with it. My machine is built by tin lizzie, which is pretty common. Its not a Gammill but I didn’t have to take out a small loan to purchase is either. The stitch regulator is good and the touch screen is adequate. I will be purchasing the upgrade when it comes out. My advice is to buy from a somewhat local dealer who is willing to teach you. Unless you are good at teaching yourself and are motivated to figure whatever you need out. I’m completely self taught but it takes time. Don’t buy at a quilt show. You never know what kind of support you are going to get and when you have a problem with the machine, and believe me you will, you’ll have to ship it. Plus supporting the local guys is how we keep quilt shops open.

I agree, check it out. I have the Innova and love love love it. So check them out as well

No--they are not all alike. Even within each company, most offer several different model

I think both are fantastic machines. In the long run I'm sort of partial to the APQS machines because I have one and love it...but I was a breath away from buying an Avante for my first machine...and who's to say I never will? I wouldn't mind having a second machine some day. :)

After a lot of trials and sewing, I bought a 20" Nolting Pro. I did not add robotics because I consider quilting an extension of my drawing with a pencil. It is able to have Intelliquilter installed. I love the Nolting because it is is US made, the support is fabulous, it is built like a tank, it is incredibly smooth, easy to maintain and sews amazingly. I did try just about every machine out there. Totally satisfied. My regular machines are vintage Singers and the Nolting stitch quality is equal to those fabulous straight stitch only Singers.

I chose an Innova after learning to LA on an unregulated Nolting and then renting time on the Nolting and then an unregulated Gammill (at my then LQS). When we moved, I couldn't find a place to rent a machine and we now had room for a LA, so I started shopping.

I tried the HandiQuilter, Tin Lizzie, and some other brands. I was referred to the Innova dealer by the then president of the new guild I joined and fell in love with the Innova. It is so low maintenance (I can do most of it myself) and lighter than most of the other brands. It is made in Texas. They have 24/7 tech support and it is pretty easy to upgrade and make additions to it.

However, as others have said, shop around and try the different machines yourself, because not everyone likes the same machine. Also, once you decide, check for deals (sometimes there are special package deals) and also look for demos and used machines, such as trade-ins.