What Janome is comparable to a Babylock Espire (also Symphony)--would like to change.
 

I got a Babylock Espire last year used from my LQS (it is comparable to the Symphony without embroidery) and haven't really like it except for the nice features like thread cutting, large extension table, automatic threader, moving needle to left or right, ease of using the display panel and chaning stitches, etc. My Espire has very uneven, messy looking stitches (the straight stitch as well as most of the decorative stitches just don't stitch out very nicely). I have an older Janome and was looking at some stitches from that machine last week and realized how much nicer the Janome stitch was.

I am considering trading in the Espire for a comparable Janome. Not sure if I should be looking at the 6600 or the 7700. Can you give me ideas and things I should consider when looking at either of these Janome models? I would like to be as well informed as possible and would like to hear people's perspectives if they have gone from a Babylock to a Janome or vise-versa. The customer service I received from my LQS after purchasing the Babylock was horrible so I don't look forward to giving them more business but they are the only large dealer in the area and the only Babylock or Janome dealer in a huge area. What type of price difference should I expect as well?

I think the comparable to your Espire might be the Janome Horizon....but not sure. I have heard good reports on the 6600...oh Dah...the 7700 is the horizon...dumb me.

I thought the 6600 and 7700 (Horizon 7700) were comparable but it looks like the 6600 is smaller and I defintely don't want to lose any throat space. The throat space and extension table is the best part of my Espire!! The reason I am even thinking about getting a new machine after having this one for just one year is that it has been having problems in the bobbin area and skipping stitches and just seems unreliable.

price wise, the 6600

I don't know your Espire, so can't give you any input.

The 6600 and 7700 are very similar ... 7700 has the bigger throat space and a couple more bells and whistles. However, there are a couple on the 6600 that are not ont he 7700.

I bought the 6600 a little over a year ago and while the throat space seemed huge to what I'd had, I am already thinking I want something with more space. I've been considering the 7700, though do not see it as much of a jump to what I have, so have been holding off for now. Need more time to do the education part for an informed decision if and when.

The comment you made about your dealer would concern me more than about the machine switch. That being said, I have no idea how the Babylocks and Janomes compare in general.

If you have not been pleased with the service for your Babylock ... would you really think it would be any better on the Janome, when you are dealing with the same people?

I understand your problem though ... local dealer is very important to me too ... though quality of service is more important! JIMHO

The pricing on the Horizon 7700 is going down because Janome is coming out with two new machines. If it hasn't come down below $2000 at your dealer's, it will soon. I've heard prices as low as $1700 lately, with extras thrown in. I have it and I love the space it gives me to quilt. The 6600 is also a great machine, but two inches less harp space at about 9". If you can hold out for a few weeks you may get a great deal on the 7700.

So sorry you are having trouble with your Espire. I have an Espire and love it. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's heavy and a pain to take to quilt class. You must have bought a lemon.

I love my 6600 but am interested in the new machine Janome is revealing this week

oh i just bought a horizon (7700) oh wow i love it. you wont be
sorry but i like janome machine. this is my fourth one.

I have the Janome Horizon 7700 and absolutely love it. Originally it was running about $3000 Can. The prices are coming down now that the new model with embroidery came out - it's basically the same machine with embroidery added. The Horizon has the bells and whistles you mentioned, and as Janome does, it comes with all the different feet, and a large plexiglass extension table. If you have a sewing table that lets the machine drop down, you may want to check if it will fit. This machine has the 11" throat which is GREAT for quilting, but it does make the machine larger and some tables will have to be custom fit. There is a SewEZ and also a Gidget II table available that do fit the larger machine.
FYI, I was at my dealer last week and they were advertising a "new" Janome quilting machine. It is the Jem Platinum. - It's a cutie - it has a lot packed into it - but it's a 3/4 size machine, made for portability - it's only 12 lbs. I think they mean it to compete with the Singer Featherweight in size, but with a lot more features.

I really like my new Janome 6600, BUT...my only complaint about it is that I've been completely spoiled by the built in walking foot on my old Pfaff! The Pfaff walking foot can be used with the Pfaff feet that have the cut out in the back...most of them do, without having to change the shank, simply pull it down and it snaps onto whatever foot you're using.

I bought the 6600 because of the walking foot, but there is just NO comparison to the Pfaff one, and it's got a strange shape, making it impossible to use the side of the foot as a guide. It's also a pain to have to remove the shank and replace it with the entire walking foot. To compensate for not using the walking foot, I've been letting up a bit on the presser foot dial, like setting it at 2 instead of 3 for straight stitch sewing. It works! lol

I sure wish Janome would make a set of feet that are normal width, use the existing shank, and that would accommodate the Janome walking foot.

I find that the 6600 has plenty of harp space and have had no problem moving a queen size quilt through it.

Sounds like you just have the regular AccuFeed foot.
If you are wanting a guide, you can purchase a 1/4" AccuFeed foot.
There's also a SITD Accufeed.

I should have been clearer - the new machines are the 8200 and 8900. The 8900 is not a 12 lb. machine, but a full size like the 7700. The 8200 is similar but with fewer stitches. The Jem Platinum is a great machine for classes, but wouldn't be good as a main machine.

I love my Janome 6600. I also bought the 1/4" accufeed foot with guide, the sitd accufeed. I love love the 1/4"AccuFeed Foot and use the drop down foot with it...

Have you calibrated your espire because I never had messy uneven stitches with mine. i would try calibrating it or maybe taking it in to your dealer because My machine worked wonderfully

I can't say anything about your new machine you bought, but taking back to the dealership for them to look at might help. I have 2 Vikings, 3 singers and a Serger. The machine I use all the time is a little lightweight singer that was given to me as a gift (Singer Perfect) I think. If I had the monies I would buy a APQS long arm called "George". Not sure I got the name right.

Hi
I think your LQS where you bought your Espire sold you a machine that needed work, to put it nicely. I have a Symphony (no Symphony embroiders) and absolutely love it! I've had it for two years and it sews through anything and does it beautifully! Not one issue with it, and if there was one my dealer would be sure it was resolved!
I don't know about a comparable Janome, just felt bad your should be wonderful machine isn't!
Bev

Janome / Babylock experience
 

After seeing the Janome Horizon (7700) demonstrated, I brought it home on approval for two weeks, good price (under $2K a year ago), but I just didn't like it. Didn't like the dark base of the machine, particularly didn't like the organization of the electronic board (I'd sit there and think, now what does IT want me to do). Anyway, I took it back and bought a Babylock Symphony, and I love it. It seems intuitive to me, love the features, the stitches that can be super-sized, (great for borders on little quilts), the easy threading, the needle threader, the cutter (OMG) the whole deal. Great looking stitches, love the way it sews over differing weights of fabric. Have a wonderful LQS as well. Came with lots of extras and I especially like their warranty. (My old machine is an Elna 6001 Quilter's Dream, which I still love, but I wanted that thread cutter and something a bit fancier. The Elna never has given me a moment of trouble, in 9 years. Still have it.)

I don't think the problem is your machine but your dealer. I would try contacting Babylock (or whatever co. it belongs too). I understand this is your closest dealer but I wouldn't buy from anyone I don't get good service from. Have you looked at some of the smaller dealers, large isn't always better. What happens if you trade and your Janome needs repair? I drive past a lot of dealers to get to the shop that I get good service from. It's not like you need to go every day or week (hopefully) to get repairs or service.