Okay I know this can be a touchy subject for some ladies. But I have a friend who is constantly trying to shake me regarding sewing machines. Just the other day she told me she was taking up quilting. Of course the lady told her that Bernina was the best sewing machine. Mind you my friend of years knows that I have recently purchased the 7700, and of course she was green with envy wouldn't show it, but for some reason just had to mention the Bernina being the best. I said nothing at all, because I knew she was trying to get a rise out of me.
Then I have two other friends again who are constantly comparing, since I've purchased this 7700. Though they have looked at the video on the 7700 and said how good it looked, but no way would they pay that amount. These are also the same friends who at various times have asked my opinion on a machine. They know that this is my hobby in checking out features on sewing machines. Personally my opinion is that there are really good machines out there, it's just a personal preference to me. I just would like to get some feed back on what you ladies think, and also do you run across snobbery regarding your machine choices?

I usd to find it strange how owners of any type of machines could be so pendantic regards the supremacy of one brand over another. Maybe several dcades ago when all the componenets were designd, manufactured, assembled within a single complex that may have been a good point to ebate, but not anymore. When you examine the component parts of a sewing machine, you'll discover several manufacturers use the same components. Not similar, but the same parts from a single manufacturer. It could be for example, a cam, gear, or upper or lower drive shaft, but the manufacturer of that component part will supply it several ''Brands'' for inclusion in their assmbled machine.
It's the configuration of the component parts, the tasks the machine manufacturer intends it to be used for, the accomponying electronics (also produced elsewhere though perhaps to clients specifications) that determine the differences.

My eldest son is an engineer, and was looking for a milling machine, he'd joined a forum and was amused to discover a rather heated disussion discussing the superior qualities of one brand owned by A over the poor quality of the one owned by B. He snt them both a link to the actual manufacturer. A Chinese company who had based their design on an old British machine long dissapeared. The manufacturer would ship the machines minus their manufacturrs logo externally, to allow two different companies afix their own logos on. By doing that the two companies could claim they were manufactured in the USA.
The reason the two members were arguing, very simple, both wanted to believe their purchase reflected the correctness of their superior thinking when making a choice. No one likes to that they may of made a mistake after making quite a large capitol outlay, so they seek affirmation of their correct buying choice.

I dont subscribe to brand loyalty, I never have I base my choice on what I want from a machine, the task I intend using it for, the robustness of the parts, and the quality of its end result, in this case a stitch. In an ideal world I would given the choice purchase, task specific machines, but alas I dont live in an ideal world.

I'm getting there though, I now own 2 industrial embroidery only machines, a serger, I intend buying a semi industrial straight lock stitch machine for garment sewing, and quilting purely for the stitching speed 1500 spm, industrial vertical bobbin, as I love free motion embroidery and my 10000 isnt fast or accurate enough. I've only owned one generic multi task machine, and lovely as it is, it is limited. I wont buy another Janome, not because I consider them inferior, I dont, I think the domestic Janome machines are great quality for a reasonable cost. They just dont deliver me the speeds and robustness taht an industrial machine does.

So ignore your freinds with their mine is best, just smile and say, well for my needs and me, my 7700 is exactly what ticks all the boxes for me.

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digimad

People have brand loyalty to all sorts of things, cars for instance, without considering how things have changed (for good and bad) over the years.
It is truly a global world. Sears puts their Kenmore brand on goods made by many other manufacturers. This is probably why it is a often a "best buy" in consumers reports. Actually, there are only a handful of household appliance manufacturers. They just have different names.
Do your research, test drive and buy what has the features you want. And, buy from a reputable dealer.

Jacquie

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Ladysmith BC,Janome 12000, Bernina Record, Bernina 1150MDA serger, bit of a Luddite, garments not crafts

Jacquie is right:

Go to the different dealers and do a test drive. Each machine has the features you may want and then decide. I love the Janome brand. I started with Kenmore (at that time was made by Janome) and I am still a Janome fan. Speed has never been my best quality so that does not interest me, but quality of stitch and ease of use and variety of stitches are why I stick to the Janome brand.

MOM

I own a Bernina and the feet are very expensive. I went and looked at the new Bernina and really was in no hurry. I bought a Janome in November and I love it. It sews every bit as nice as my Bernina. I am a Janome girl now! Keep smiling. You have a very nice machine in the 7700.

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Elaine

Janome 12,000, Janome Digitizer MBX, Bernina 1530, Elna Carina, Elna 704 Serger

I own both brands and love both! Sitting and test driving will bring you to a decision for a machine regardless of manufacturer. Due diligence in checking quality etc then test drive staying within your needs (with some growth) and most importantly price point. They each have fantastic qualities and drawbacks. If there was a machine that did all then there'd be no competition. Just IMHO.

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Nancy
Janome 12000, DC 3050, DX 1100x, Bernina 630, 215, Bernette 46, BabyLock Evolution