Congratulations. I think you will love it. I have the 830 (835 pre-cursor) and love mine.

My tip is watch which way you load your thread. For the 830 you need to have the spool spinning clockwise or towards you when it is horizontal ( which means the thread unreels counter clockwise if you were to manually unwind it). This means I need to put most thread spools on the machine upside down - no big deal it just looks odd at first.

Presseer foot up oPens the tension plates. ;)

Take a class if you can.

do you have a viking store in your area; you can always get help there.

I have one and need to go back to class. I am learning how to use it but it is a pretty slow go as I learn more from watching than just reading. I am getting there through sheer determination!

I just picked up my sapphire 835 yesterday! I sat down today with some scrap fabric and the manual beside me and just kept trying out the different stitches and when I ran out of thread I figured out how to change the thread and use the needle threader - thats cool! Someone told me there are youtube videos - how tos but I can't find them.

I also have a sapphire 835 Viking. We are starting to make friends. I still have to look every procedure up in the manual. I have gotten very use to the presser foot raising when the machine stops with the needle down. Really like that.

I have an 835 viking for sale $1200 or best offer. I just have to many machines and this barely has been used
.If anyone is interested my # 940-529-6349. leave me a message Kim