Welcome to the board from Southern California. You really need to get out and test drive all the machines out there to see what will fit your budget and your needs. I am still quilting on my Bernina 1530. I don't like all the electronics now a days, so many things can go wrong. I don't know of any cheap Bernina. And you don't need a stitch regulator if you have the coordination to do FMQ. That is a dealer who is thinking of himself and not you.