SharonTheriault

I love my 6600 also. But then I don't do many garments. If I do I have my 760 (also Janome) with the free arm. The 6600 does everything I want it to do. Love the bobbin winder, the scissors, the up-down for the needle, the knee foot raiser, and most of all the sew/stop button. I have had some surgeries on the right side and couldn't use the foot pedal. The sew/stop button made it possible for me to continue sewing while recuperating.

cmw0829

I've heard wonderful things about the 6600 so I don't think you'd go wrong with it. I chose the 7700 because I didn't want to be restricted by not having a free arm. I don't do a lot of garment sewing but do hem pants for my DH, DS and myself and wanted that flexibility since I may be sewing more garments in the future.

Jannie

I had the 6600 and upgraded to the Horizon. The Horizon has a bigger harp area which is nice, but I do miss the automatic bobbin winder while I'm still sewing. The knee lift is very useful once you get to using it.

Binnyboops

Thanks so much to you all for your wonderful advice. I eventually (after much painstaking consideration!) chose the MC5200 which is still available in New Zealand. Given the types of things I sew I couldn't imagine not having the free arm and I can still learn to quilt on this machine (and upgrade one day if necessary!) Thank you again for giving your time to help a newbie like me