Wow, Thanks for all the great recommendations. I will be going to all the dealers i can, to try out various machines until i find the right fit. In the meantime, I will get an led light strip to help out. No more purchases without test drives:)

Good idea about stick on lighting/box store price....

If you have vision problems please consider an automatic needle threader. I couldn't sew at all without mine. Also like the thread cutter so I don't accidently cut the fabric.

I have a Viking Diamond, love it, have had it for 4 years. They have a great sale going on right now, interest free for 4 years. Janome is also a great machine, ny friends just purchased a new 15000 and she loves it, it was interest free for 4 years. Both of these machines are expensive and you can buy cheaper ones but this is the ones I love. Hope you find what you are looking for. Just keep in mind how big you think you might want to do embroidery, make sure you get one that will do the largest design you think you might want to do, the first time I didn't keep this in mind and ended up trading up ans costing me more. Just a thought. I also love machine embroidery, no limits to what you can create.

Check out the babylocks, they are so user friendly, you can always get the small lights that attach to the machines for any machine. They have so many items to help now, you just have to look and as your dealer. Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide on.

Viking for sure . I have had mine for years , the are having a great sale now . they had a opal emb machine cheep . a few weeks ago , wish you luck buy close to home so you can get the classes and all the help you need . DottieBug

Baby Lock has great lighting. I have a Baby Lock and bought an LED light to attach to the side of the machine. It has a bendable arm and I can point the light exactly to where I need it. There are also LED strips made to attach to the top of the throat. I think they have 6 lights on them.

Buy the machine you like for the features you need. You can always add more light.

I would go to a show and see what is there and take your time. If you know what you decided on before a show, you can get it at the best price before the show and buy a demo.

Best lighting I have encountered is on the babylock brother V-series, you don't even need lamps, but these are not cheap machines either

Thank you for taking the time to share your advice and wisdom. I am taking notes and making a list of machines to try out. I have decided to take my time looking until I really find the one I will be happy with for the long haul. I also intend to light up my machine like Christmas!!! Great ideas, and talents QBers.