Replies

1. 
   Crazy K | Sep 29, 2008 05:10am | #1

   I do not have the Diamond but I have two of the original SEs and I love them.  I started with a Designer I and traded up and then got another.  The Diamond has all the same features as the SE and a few more.  I don't see myself traded up to the Diamond.  My machines do everything I need and many things I haven't had a chance to explore!

   I'm sure you'll hear from others.  Sewing/embroidery machines are a lot like cars.....people seem to have their favorites for various reasons.

   Kay

2. 
   MaryinColorado | Sep 29, 2008 09:00am | #2

   I love my Viking Designer I and also my old pal, the Rose embroidery machines.  They run so smoothly and make beautiful embroidery and heirloom work, and so many other things.  I also have the Huskylock 936 serger and love it too.  Someday I might upgrade to the new Diamond if the economy improves, but will keep the ones I have for family. 

   Pfaff and Viking are part of VSM group so are under the same "umbrella" I guess.  The 4D software packages are the same except for the packaging I believe.  Anyway, I ended up buying the 4D Suite from Pfaff because my dealer had switched to only stocking Pfaff and Brother products so I got it quicker.  They would have had to order the Viking software.  It works the same.  You can go to both companies websites and compare the software, under Learning Center. 

   One lady in a 4D class I went to had just bought a new Bernina top of the line and was unhappy with their software.  She then bought the 4D software because she said it was much more user friendly and had more bells and whistles.  I don't know personally about Berninas but have heard good things about all 3 brands. 

   Test drive, including putting the embroidery unit on and off and using as many of the features as you can.  Best wishes in your quest for the "right" machine for you! 

   Mary

3. 
   Pattiann42 | Sep 30, 2008 11:34pm | #3

   Wise of you to notice that some of the PR reviews should not have been posted as the owner has not used the machine long enough to do a proper review.

   I would not start out with a TOL embroidery machine unless I was absolutely sure I could justify the expense. 

   You have to ask yourself how much embroidery will be done.  ME requires several additional notions - stabilizer, embroidery thread and embroidery bobbin thread are a start.  A design can have one - 100 colors, that can translate into several hundred dollars.  And most of those cute little Disney designs can only be stitched out on a Brother EM that ends with the letter D.

   Each EM accepts a certain format.  The pes. format is offered by all designers and is the one used by Brother and Babylock.  If you download a pes. format, it can be converted to other formats, but I am not that sure about Bernina's format.

   Make sure the dealer is knowledgeable about the craft and not just the brand of machine they are selling.

4. 
   Betakin | Oct 01, 2008 07:58am | #4

   I think that the  2 new Viking Topaz models look like nice machines. Have you seen them on the HV website? I don't know when my dealer will get them in but I'm looking forward to seeing them.

5. 
   msgerritz | Oct 01, 2008 10:15am | #5

   If you go to yahoo groups and do a search on each of these machines you can

   subscribe to user groups and get information from people who own and are using

   them.  I know there is one for the Viking Diamond.  I think Pfaff has one too.