I have the Pfaff Creative Vision, and I love it. Never a problem. I have a good dealer who is about 20 miles away, and I call them whenever I have a question. Most of the time they can guide me through what I want to know. Sometimes I have to go to the shop. I try to have a list of questions before I do that! Just make sure you have a good dealer who will take time to answer all your concerns, and will teach you how to operate the machine. The new ones are complicated, so you really can't learn it all at one time, especially if you have an embroidery unit.

Janome 6500 I like it but I have had problems with the bobbin area from the first yr. I have replaced the little plastic bobbin holder gizmo several times. In my opinion that is the problem it is plastic. I own my machine for 6 1/2 yrs and pretty much run it daily. I also do my quilting on it. Some very large quilts King and extra long twin. The tension is pretty much always good. Some minor paint chipping off the metal base. I like the knee lifter, thread cutter, bigger bed etc.

I really think the 'key' is to purchase a machine from a reputable dealer and then to take the classes offered in order to really 'learn' to use the machine properly. Then, in the rare chance, there is an issue with the machine, you are going to be more likely to get it resolved in a timely manner.

I've had my Bernina 180 for 10 years and like the others all my problems were user errror. And yet the year I bought it, all I heard on the Bernina board was complaints, then I noticed it was the same 2 or 3 people. They didn't want to take time to go to the guide classes and learn how to us their new machines. I went from a mechanical White to a fully compterized Bernina. It was a world of difference. I think the key is to buy from a reputable dealer if there is one close to you. And take the classes.

The best I can tell you is to buy from a dealer who will go over the machine before you take it home, to make sure everything is running and set up properly. Also, one who is willing to give you a class on how to operate your machine. There is alot to learn about some of the newer machines and one cannot expect to get the most out of it if not getting help from a dealer. I know for a fact....because I own one....that only Janome dealers who went to the class Janome offered, are allowed to sell them.

I have the new Janome Horizon 7700. I haven't had it but a couple of weeks so I haven't used it a great deal. The 11" throat space is the berries. The only complaint is that, even though it has lots more light, it doesn't shine just right on my 1/4" foot so I'm still using my Bright Light. Other than that...I love it. It runs so smoothly and quietly and I love all the features. My best advice is to test drive as many as you can to see which one you bond with and make sure you have a great dealer, not one that will leave your hanging.

I'm one of those people who posted a negative review of the Sapphire on the internet. Mine is an 850, and it had an appetite for needles and thread nests. However, there are many happy Sapphire owners - and more and more happy owners every day. It seems like Viking may have heard the rumblings of discontent.

In my case, I had a bad dealer who sold me the machine and then didn't want to support it. While I think I am smart enough to learn on my own, after a few frustrating days trying to freemotion on the machine I was ready for a lesson - only they weren't offered.

So, my advice is to buy from a good dealer, take the classes and learn how to use the machine. Listen to other locals who have purchased machines from local dealers - you'll find out who will stand by their product and who won't.

I bought my Pfaff from a dealer and they are always there for me. Any problems I have had have been my fault, not the machine.

I always read the reviews by other users on websites like Amazon.com and I try and read them all. When I find negative ones I look at the length of time between purchase and review write up and most of the time those reviews are writen right after they have received the item and they haven't learned how to use it yet. I used to work in a call center where I walked offices through fixing computers and network issues in their office. Whenever we had a new client they would call in complain about the sofbtware not working correctly. Patience...they eventually got it. It was user error most of the time not equipment error. I think almost all electrical/computerized equipment has some quirks in the software. But there are usually work arounds or patches to fix issues. Good luck on your choice.

I always ask WHY the user is posting the review. The best (bad) ones give qualified statements. For example, I do not like one of my Pfaffs because it eats the fabric (which I could solve with a straight stitch plate) and it stops sewing when it gives the low bobbin indication. Now that feature drives me insane, while it may not bother another user.

If you do your research, identify the features and price point, find a good dealer, and like what you see after test driving extensively - buy what makes you happy.