I've had the Sapphire 870 for at least 3 years, and it's wonderful. It gets lots of use and I've never had a problem that wasn't solved by re-threading, or a new needle! If I ever buy another machine it will be a Viking too.

just bought the 835 a mo. ago & love it!haven't yet taken the lessons,too much going on now.the realer in joann;s is a GEM,threw in the18x24"ext.table & the spring fm foot.she has assured me that i'll still get the lessons when i'm ready,but have found it's very use-friendly so far.really want lessons for fmq more than anything else.REALLY wish i'd bought the 835 first,actually could have bought the 875 with what i spent on the other 3 ,w/ money left over!
dar
the throat is 10"

I'm thinking of up grading my viking and thanks for the info. love my 200 and will keep it.

I have the sapphire. Just bought a grace quilting frame (really a used Bernina frame, but Grace makes it.)

The frame works great. The machine works great. BUT the grace speed control is not compatible with the sapphire. ugh.

I am shopping for a second sewing machine because of this.

I just go the Viking Sapphire 835 how do you change the needle position to do a 1/4 inch edge?

You need to go thru the menu on the right side of the screen where you change your stitches. Change it to the Quilt Stitch menu. The straight stitch will be 1/4 from the edge of the foot it tells you to use. Check your manual in case it's slightly different from mine (I've got the 830).

I have the viking 200 and was thinking of upgrading to an 835 Good to read all the feed back. Barb

Thank you

I have the Sapphire 850 and really love it! I think the throat area is about 10 inches.

My 830 is easy to use and thread.
I love the needle down with the auto lift.
There is a setting for 1/4 inch where the 3 round shaped buttons are press the first one that shows a zigzag stitch.
When the menu comes up the second choice is for 1/4 in.
I still have to move the needle over a couple of notches for my blocks to come out the right size.
My only complaint is the low area around the needle is hard to change feet and needle, your hand is to big to do it with ease.
I measured the throat area from needle to back of throat its 10 inchs.