I have an HQ Avante and I love it - it is my first longarm and since I am new to quilting I am still in the learning phase - definitely a learning curve and I am finding that each time it gets easier. I think test drive is the way to go and also space is another factor - a long arm takes alot of room so that is something to think about.

I have a Gammill Optimum Plus with the 30" throat on a 12' table. I love it and it is worth every penny that I paid for it. I bought it brand new. But I do know that most of the dearlers do take trade-ins when people upgrade to a bigger or different model. So they go thru them and service them before they resale them at a much lower price. So you might want to check that avenue out also. Good luck.

Sherryl
Candlequilter

I was thinking of buying a LA until a friend let me go from start to finish using hers. Loading the quilt on the frame was tedious and took too much time. I know me and the thought of loading the quilt, the quilt would be on the shelf like they are now waiting to be quilted. All the details before actually getting to quilt made it not fun at all. I'll stick to machine quilting on my home machine after my friend machine bastes them for $20 each.

Really? This surprises me. The first quilt I ever loaded on mine took a little over an hour and this is only because I loaded it wrong on the take up bar. I find loading a quilt on a LA rack much easier and quicker then sandwiching and basting (either with safety pins or needle and thread) on the floor or on a table. Granted sandwiching and basting were the things I hated most about quilting. Literally, I hate that step so much it was totally worth it to get a LA and rack just to avoid that step! Oh of course that isn't the only reason I got one but loading a quilt on is very quick and easy and I don't have zippered leaders, I do it with pins.

I also have an Innova and love it.

I have the tin lizzie18 and the only complaint i have is the lack of builtin channel locks.

I have the Gammill Premier 18" and really like it. I think any longarm will have pluses and minuses, but overall a car sure beats walking any day. :) My decision for the Gammill was based in large part on local support and others in my guild who own them, so I knew I could get help locally if I needed it. So far, I haven't had to, though. Regrets? Not having gotten it sooner!

Like anything, the loading of a quilt is tedious the first time. Once you get the hang of it, it doesn't take that long to do it.

I have an A-1 machine with 12 foot table. I love it I have had in since 1999 and have had now problems. wouldn't trade it I went to MQS and tried every machine along with a spreadsheet with all the features I wanted and indicated prices then decided from there. best for my money and smoothest machine to run.
Sharon J

Innova-tried them all liked this one the best

I may change my mind later about buying one. For now I can get my quilts machine basted for $15-$20 each so that eliminates the basting part for me. I do pretty good FMQ with my Brother 1500. I just can't do anything that bores me or becomes tedious, I lose interest in minutes.