There is a Bernina group on Yahoo groups that is a help for folks
with any Bernina that has a 30 in the model #...such as 930, 830, 1130, etc.
Lots of good help there. I think some people have issues with the track
ball --some like
it some don't ..Anyway...ck out this group !! Good luck...Mary
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerninaThirtySomethings/

Here is from two posters on that site:
I really want a good machine that is quiet, well built and easy
to use. Any suggestions???

If you are looking for a used machine, you cannot go wrong with the
1130, 1230, 1260 or 1530. That generation is wonderful.

Here is another....I found the 1530 the most intuitive sewing machine that I
have ever
used. Can't speak for the other computerized Berninas. What I like
about it is that you look at the screen and your sewing -- never have
to look for the correct button. Your thumbs reach the track ball and
stitch width and length balls and when they do, your fingers are in
the perfect position to click the OK or cancel buttons. Absolutely
perfect for a right-hander.



wrote in message
...
Hello all,

This was to be a surprise for my wife, who is just getting into
quilting. We had decided to get her a good tool that would last for a
long time, and some local quilters convinced us that a Bernina 220
would be a good option. I guess other people had the same idea, since
the dealer that had several 220s when I called didn't actually have
any left when we got there (in another town). She did have a used
1530 for $100 more BUT that machine came with a walking foot, the knee
bar, and the several other extras. I figure that stuff is worth at
least a $100, so the question is would a used 1530 be better or worse
than a brand new 220?

I bought the 1530 so I'd have something to put under the tree, but
have until the end of January to decide whether to keep it or not. I
know absolutely nothing about this, and my wife is fairly new to
quilting. Her current machine is a 20+ year old (Singer, I think). I
suspect she'll end up taking the 1530 machine to the dealer and doing
a side-by-side comparison before making up her mind, but neither of us
really know what questions to ask.

I'd appreciate feedback, comparisons, and opinions. Also any hint on
certain things that some people like and others hate that she should
pay attention to in comparing them would be appreciated? I suspect
that the 1530 has lots of features she might never use, but probably
has some extra (over the 220) that would be useful. She doesn't
anticipate doing machine embroidery, but seems to like the quilting
and it will also be used for general purpose sewing.

One big plus of the Bernina was supposed to be dealer support, and the
used machine will have 2 years maintenance but the electronics will be
out of warranty, so another question is how reliable will the 10+ year
old machine be?

Hopefully there'll be lots of good info here and she can read this
after Christmas to help her make up her mind.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas,