When the Baby Lock Crescendo came out I was convinced that I HAD to have the laser and the digitizer pen. BUT I already had the Baby Lock Espire and couldn't justify the price difference. So I set a price of what it was worth to me and IF I were to find the Crescendo somewhere for THAT price, I would get it. One day in Reno .....luck was on my side and I got the machine for the price I set.
She has some nice features but the ones I thought I just HAD TO HAVE - - - don't really use them. lol
Would I buy it again? Probably. There is nothing wrong with the machine or stitch quality and she runs like a work horse. She is also reliable.
Both Baby Lock machines WILL NOT run with regular C&C Dual Duty but they will work with Star and Connecting Threads. (Those are what I use also).
The large harp makes quilting a breeze. So I guess it was a WIN-WIN for me.
She weighs about 50 pounds so having a lighter back-up machine is great for classes.