My opinion, you got the best. I have had 4 Bernina's and by trading up only, just got the 830. I love it. I haven't had the time to devote to emboirdery lessons yet, but am able to easily do monograming. At one time, we lived 100 miles from a dealer. I had trouble with a thread and called my dealer. He was able to walk my husband through and easily tighten a screw only. The mechanics are so easy on it. I do hope you will take the classes. You will be set for sewing and it will be a good friend for a very long time.