I first owned a 440 QEE and like you, loved it. Then I got the 820 with the frame because I wanted to FMQ more and wanted the throat room. BUT, I agree that you should just buy a long arm. IN the end that's what I did because the 820 just doesn't have the speed for free form designs, you can't see the needle when you are standing up in front of the frame because of the "box" that occludes the view. This box is where the workings of the machine are always over the needle. The visibility with a long arm is sooo much better...the speed is awesome and the price point on some of them like the Innova or the Tin Lizzie are in the ball park. I thought lifting the 820 to the frame was going to kill me and there was no way I wanted to horse it on and off all the time. I used my 440 on the frame too..same issues, slow, couldn't handle the manoevering and you can't see around the " box". Save yourself some money in the long run and get a long arm...Just sayin'...Good Luck