HandiQuilter and BabyLock are made in the same place. However, their contract states that BabyLock doesn't get the upgrades until 3 years after HandiQuilter. So, HandiQuilter will always have more upgrades than the BabyLock. The HandiQuilter frame has the 5th rail that keeps your quilting surface level, no matter how much of the quilt is rolled up onto the take-up bar. So, with the BabyLock, you have to adjust the level of the quilting surface every time you roll the quilt. The Avante is the better machine and frame. But... if service is an issue, it might be alright to get the BabyLock.