You will get as many opinions as there are folks on this board - lol - on this question. All the brands have good machines and not so great machines. I used to work for Viking. Had a Babylock that I just loved. Now have twoo Pfaffs.
Firstly. determine what it is that you want to embroider. This will dictate the size of the hoop you will need. Just remember - once you get going you will want to do more!! Here are some questions to consider
Set a budget.
When you look at a machine - how easy is it to set up?
How are the designs transferred to the machine (I would tell you to "run" from any machine that has a proprietary card if it does not come with software and hardware to write your wanted file on the card - many now use a USB interface)
What size hoops are there?
Are there lessons available locally? (even if you did not purchase it at a dealer often they will sell you lessons)
Is the user interface (the screen to run the machine) straight forward and intuitive?
If it is used - how many hours is on it (most machines internally keep track and that time can be accessed).
Play with it and look at the stitches top and bottom.
AND once you have it - have fun!!
Last edited by eparys; 02-26-2013 at 07:09 AM.
Reason: need to add info