Is the 830 worth the price, or a longarm better?

[Betty J.]

OK, I see several forum topics on problems with the tension, etc. on the 830. I have been planning on buying one when I retire later this year, and these kinds of discussions give me pause. Perhaps I should go back to my original plan of getting my upgraded 200E (to 730E) in top shape and buy a longarm with either a short frame or a sit down version. I'm keeping my 1230 that I have because it is such a sound workhorse and doesn't fuss. Soooo, my friends...if you were to decide between these two, what would you buy?

[Betty D.]

I have a 210 and 730. I was excited about the 830 and wanted one when it came out, mainly for the larger harp. I'm with you after reading all the comments. It seems the higher end the machine--the more picky it is. My 730 is pickier than the 210. As I don't have the room for a long arm, I'm going to go for the sit down. It will also be easier on the budget. Betty D

[Karen W.]

I have had my 830 for two years now. Got the first one in our area. LOVE IT. I have not had the tension issues that others have been stating. I think the upgrade kit is to keep you from having that problem but mine never has had it. . I have put over 5 million stitches on mine with minor adjustments only in the first period. The only issue mine has is the thread broken sensor. It is way too sensitive so just turned it off. Right now am using an embroidery quilting design and quilting a Queen size quilt using it. No problems. So I would recommend one from my experience with it.

[Barbara C.]

Check out the Gammill Vision line. I traded in my Classic Plus and downsized to a Vision Premier 18 with a 10 foot table. The new table is a smaller foot print for home use. I love it and am so happy I downsized. I am an utter failure at quilting on a domestic sewing machine. The $$ being spent on an 830 is better put towards a Gammill Vision in my humble opinion. I have a Bernina 330. Love it, too!

Barbara

[Jill B.]

In my opinion I dont think its so much about if the 830 is worth the $$$ but more about do I spend those same $$$ on a 830 or a Longarm, my choice would be a Longarm.

Love the 830 and have tried it and think its a fantastic machine and if I could have both I certainly would, BUT if I had to choose it would be the Longarm.

[Teri L.]

One thought if the embroidery is not as important to you as the quilting space consider the 820 rather than the 830. You'd have all the space without all of the embroidery features available to you. From what I've heard in various places the 820 does not have the same thread/tension "issues" as the 830. If/when I have the money I'm going for the 820 because I don't want the embroidery unit. The 820 is not scalable so the software can't be installed to upgrade the 820 to the 830.

Teri

[Teri L.]

Just my two cents. I don't have either machine, but have been thinking a long time about it. I would go with the long arm. My domestic works just fine,but I keep getting asked to make quilts. The latest being a California king size that I am pretty much going to turn down simply due to the size.

[Betty J.]

I appreciate all your input. I thought I had made the decision and was just waiting until the time was right, but I see I still have to think more about this. Maybe I'll win the lottery and be able to afford both. Oh, yeah, that's right, I would have to play first. :lol: :lol: In any event, August will be here before I know it, so I need to decide. Cheryl, I doubt I make a king size, and if I do, my DIL has a longarm, so I'd ask her to quilt it or borrow her longarm. I doubt it would work for me to borrow it on a regular basis though. Also, the embroidery is an important factor for me, but if I bought a longarm, I'd keep my 730.

[Jill B.]

The great thing about a forum question like this is that everyone tells you what they think they would do, and that makes you think of angles you perhaps had not looked at before.

Also I feel that you will read them and agree with some and not others, which in turn may tell you which way your mind is swaying too.

Hope this is making sense....... :? :?

[Jill B.]

Having a long arm would be the only way I would consider making a king, and DH said I can only have one room in the house.

[Tere D.]

I have quilted a king size quilt on a domestic machine (Bernina 820) using the "quilt as you go" method. I divided the design in thirds vertically and incorporated a flying geese inner border to disguise the seams. You would never know each piece was quilted separatedly and then joined together.

[Sherry B.]

My friend got one of the first 830s and had lots of problems with it. But after sending it back for repairs, it has worked like a charm and she loves it. She loves to do embroidery. However, she sold her longarm to get it and now really misses her longarm. I have a 730 and at first really wanted the 830, but now I know that if I can ever afford either, it will be some type of longarm.

[Sherry B.]

For the cost of an 800-series, you really could get a nice midarm or small longarm setup. I don't know what changes have been made from the 730E to 830E embroidery capabilities, but unless you're an embroiderin' fool, you probably would be quite happy with your 700E. A few years back I moved from a 180E to a 640E (mainly to add the BSR function). Though I have never used the embroidery feature much, I'm annoyed that I no longer can use my embroidery CD's bought for the 180. Seems for the cost of the new machine, it should run CD's as well as USB sticks. You already have the BSR, so that's not an issue.

My experience with my midarm machine is, once I learned to quilt on it, I no longer want to quilt on my DSM's. If you haven't already, you should spend some time at a large quilt show, testing all the longarms on display. If quilting is your main goal, this may be the way to go. (unless you're Diane Gaudynski)

[Margo C.]

If quilting is your main goal, this may be the way to go. (unless you're Diane Gaudynski)

Or Ricky Tims or any of these other quilters: http://www.berninausa.com/content-n589-sUS.html

[Betty J.]

If quilting is your main goal, this may be the way to go. (unless you're Diane Gaudynski)

Or Ricky Tims or any of these other quilters: http://www.berninausa.com/content-n589-sUS.html

Wow, what a wonderful set of projects from some great fabric artists. Thanks for this, Margo.

Cheers,

BJ