My husband took me to look at them today. It looks wonderful. I want a longarm, but this will quilt for me, and do embroidery and has so many great features. I do not have an embroidery machine currently and would definitely get the software package, jumbo hoop, and of course the frame that go with it. BUT then I would have to wait probably several years to get a longarm if I still feel the need for one. I am biting my nails to the nub.....
If you have the machine what do you like and dislike about it?

My friend just bought this machine not to long ago and she has yet to really sew on it. :roll: She has not even taken the embroidery unit out of the box... I think I need to go and help her with it. lol

One thing I do know is... you can deal with your dealer. she got hers for the dealers cost because he needed to sell one in order for him to keep the cost of his machines down. So dicker with them....

I don't have this machine .. but, if given the option of the 830 or a longarm, I'd pick the longarm ~ :D

I've got the 830 and love it. Do a search using the search feature above. There are many threads on it.

At our shop there is a quilt frame you can purchase to use with it - and quilt motion software - -so maybe once you get the machine figured out you can purchase these too.

I just paid for my 830 today and have to wait for a week for it to come in. Sure hope it comes in next week and that I don't have to wait until the week after because of the holiday

hmmm interesting post. I just posted both my viking embroidery and brand new long arm for sale on the board. Both beautiful machines....

I am selling the long arm because i have another one and i need the cash to buy my son a car, but the embroidery i figured i am not much into it. At least for now. I would rather have a long arm to finish my quilts.

I would get a long arm and use a vintage Singer for piecing.

I've had the 830 for 2 years and absolutely love this machine. For creative sewing and embroidery, it absolutely to die for! This is my "go to" machine because what it will do... you can't even begin to imagine until you've used one for awhile. Everything can be adjusted, altered... truly amazing!

However, if you're primarily a quilter... I would also choose a longarm over the 830, and a nice basic sewing machine.

I have a Bernina 730 and am very happy with that, then last year I got an HQ Sweet Sixteen sit down. I've seen the 830 and there is no comparison in the available size in the harps.

My HQ is sixteen inches between needle and pillar, BUT it also has 8 1/2in between the table top and the underside of the machine, so I can stuff the biggest quilt in that space and still have lots of room to manouvre. From memory, I would doubt if there is more than 5in in that measurement on the 830. I still get to sit down at this machine, it comes with a roomy table, but takes up a far smaller space than using it on the conventional long arm frame (but you can still upgrade to that in the future if you have the space).

If it were me, I would go for the HQ, and try to get a good used Bernina with embroidery package.

I had a go on the 830 at a recent show and it was OK (I did some FMQ) but I couldn't see where the money was, compared to my Janome 6600. If I had the budget, I'd get the LA. Or as Lace said, the Sweet Sixteen if space is an issue. But then I don't do any machine embroidery. I use my straight stitch, zig zag and occasionally blanket stitch for applique and apart from that, freehand FMQ so all those bells and whistles would be wasted on me. Plus I didn't like the stitch regulator but probably because I am so used to regulating my own stitch length - control freak - that's me!