I have a Bernina 820 with the BSR & that machine cost me $7500.00 here in Canada. I am sure it is cheaper in the U.S. Obviously at that price point the BSR is included with this machine - I believe it cost about $1300.00 if purchased separately.

I have the Bernina 550 and also the Bernina 830 LE, both have the stitch regulator, which I love. You can turn off the beeping sound if you don't like the noise, and then you can move the switch to regulate your speed, or you can just leave them on. It really does keep your stitches regulated and looks very nice for quilting or top stitching purposes.
Perhaps check with your Bernina dealer, and ask for a demonstration of the stitch regulator on one of their machines.
They will probably even let you try it out. No better way to find out for yourself, than to see exactly how it works.
I think you will be impressed, and you deserve to have a good working machine. Best of luck in your search.

I have stitch regulator for my Juki 2010 for the mini pinnacle frame and on my long arm, but I don't know how to use a stitch regulator on a regular sewing machine. The stitch regulators I have seen attach to the frame so don't have a clue. When I quilt without a frame I set my stitch speed and you can get really great at regulating your stitches manually.

I bought my Bernina 440 QE in 2006 for $2000, and it came with a stitch regulator. I love it! I agree that you can do the FMQ without it if you really practice and practice and practice, and are really an artist. I am not, so it helps me a lot for FMQ.

You might want to look at a Brother ( and other machines may do this, too) where you can control the speed with a push of a button and it stays the same speed, rather than your controlling it with your foot pedal. Not exactly a stitch regulator, but it takes one variable out of the FMQ process, and seems to make controlling your stitching easier.

The Viking Sapphire 875Q has a speed button with about 5 settings. When doing FMQ, I set it to either 2 or 3 for a nice slow speed. Then I only have to concentrate on moving the quilt. It helps a lot and works for people like me who can't walk and chew gum at the same time.

I say "go for the stitch regulator" and choose a new machine only if you can't get a regulator for it. I have a Gammill that came with the stitch regulator and it is the best thing that ever happened to me in my quilting experience. But it took a ton of money (and was a Christmas gift from DH 4 or 5 years ago). If you are accustomed to quilting with your personal sewing machine, my comment would be just adding the stitch regulator to it would be the least expensive thing to add to it for you to do your quilting. That in itself is going to require another learning session. I have never tried using a home sewing machine to quilt (only on a place mat with straight lines stitching) and did not like it at all. I had all kinds of wonky edges when I finished, and had to trim my finished place mat way down.....Good luck as you work your way through this decision. Sincerely, Jo Ann

If you have an opportunity to go to one of the larger quilt shows (there are others around the country besides Houston and Paducah--check to see which ones might be reasonable for you to travel to) you can visit with the representatives of the companies that make basically all the machines known to humankind. I have a Juki 98Q that fits into a Gracie frame, though I don't have the frame. I already had the Juki and almost bought the frame but then didn't--I don't really have anyplace to keep something large like this set up. But I was able to practice with the whole assembly, which included a stitch regulator that worked with this system. You can buy these Juki machines (mine is the 98Q, there is the 2010, and a whole additional series of Jukis that I think would also work with this system), The frame of course can't handle anything with a deeper throat that those Jukls, which is about 9 inches, but all in all it looked like it worked very well. You can buy the Juki machines of this type (straight stitch and reverse only, no zigzag, but powerhouses) used very often, frequently for $500 or so. If you do very large quilts, queens or kings for example, this this setup might not be for you but it looked sweet to me. But in general I'd try to make a trip to a quilt show where all the different makes of machines are there and eager to sell one of their machines to you. All of them will let you try the various models out for hours if you want to before you buy.

I have one on my Sweet 16. I don't like it. It's jerky and the changing speed (keeping up with me) drives me crazy. I am just learning to do it myself. Not perfect but that's OK.

I presently presently a Bernina 830 that has a BSR (Bernina stitch regulator) and would recommend the Bernina as well as the 450. I purchased both used. Bernina is a quality machine and I think with the BSR your stitches will improve. I also find that I cannot FMQ w/o my gloves with the nubbies to grip the quilt. The gloves are available at the LQS.

My local dealer is great about trade ins. And Bernina corp. has a plan that for many months, you can have interest free credit for your purchase. Ask about both.