Hi, Redpenny - I have the Brother 8500, and I used a Singer 5000 at a workshop last spring. Right away I noticed that the on-screen help on the Singer consisted mainly of pictures, which are fine if you can figure out what they mean. The Brother has text to tell you how to fix problems, and advice on how to sew things. Another thing I noticed on the 5000 was that the light was nice and bright in a halo around the needle area, but where the needle is was poorly lit. I understand from someone who has the 6000 that the lighting problem was corrected.

On the positive side, that automatic bobbin winding is pretty darn cool, and the fact that you can have 2 thread colors loaded and change them easily was great, too. If you can get the continuous hoop with the deal, go for it! That was SOOOO great...you fill the hoop with stitching, flip the latch, slide the fabric into position, and stitch some more. It also was very smart as far as being able to line up a design even if you have gotten the fabric hooped crooked.

All in all, the 5000 seemed like a great machine, so I'm sure the 6000 is, too!

Thanks for your imput msmeow, I always like to hear from someone who has used the machine and yes the 6000 is updated.

Did you get the XL-6000? I just did...and it's not tuitive....remote area of heaven in Rocky Mountain Forest area so compromise is NO DEALERS for hundreds of miles! I've downloaded the tutorial from Singer site. Neighbor insists I teach her at same time I'm learning but she left for NC for a few months so will put the push me pull me program aside for now. Purchased PE-6 plus a tutorial for it and converter programs to convert digitized art work of my own into XXX format needed for singer. But still haven't so far sewn a single stitch on the embroidery side of this machine. Any hints of encouragement is welcomed. I hope you are moving along by now:)))) The machine makes my POEM of the mid-90's look very rustic and light weight indeed. But it was intuitive and easy to write out cute sayings. I don't want to be tethered to a computer any more. I do graphics and a lot of computer work and sewing and office space do not play well together. Thanks, las

The embroidery side of this machine does beautiful work
I'm in the same boat living in rural area and no else HAs a machine for miles............. trying to figure everything out the designs are great and the endless bobbin works great to took me couple times of trying to figure it out had to walk away from it for awhile then I figured it out.
I'm having problems with heavy material like towels & blankets in the hoops any ideas. everything else I've tried works great
I'm not doing something right
You'll Love this machine too just need some help on learning how to use some of the features and the hoops
this is my first machine and had always worked by hand so I love it
thanks bigcats

What is your bottom line you'd accept on your quantum?

Just saw the date! Sorry!