This one is being sold online now for $599. That's a great price. The other straight-stitchers are between $800-$1100 and they're essentially the same thing without the pin-feed. You can also buy a felting attachment for the Brother which is a kind of nice bonus if you think you'd ever want to try that. The motor amps at 1.5 means you have plenty of power. most of the computerized new machines many of us use are .65 amps and while that's not the whole story concerning piercing power, the 1 amp motors do tend to plow through layers MUCH better. Enjoy!