I have the Bernia 440 and love it. I have the BSR but do not use it when free motioning. I found having to push the button to stop was a pain. But you can use it with the foot too though the dealers don't really encourage that for some reason. But I didn't like it either so I use the darning foot. I love the way it sews and free motion on it all the time with just using the darning foot. There are people who own the older version of Bernina's and will not part with them even when they buy the newer ones!
I have a Phaff and it sewed ok but like my Bernina better. The bobbin takes twice as much thread too! It seems I was always winding the bobbin on the Phaff.
I just received shipment today on my A1 Longarm! Can't wait to get started on that.