I have a Janome 6500MC and really like it, also have a Bernina Vertuosa 153 that you can plug up to the computer to download more stitches I never have and feel like that was a waste of extra money. I rotate back and forth between the two. I don,t believe you will be sorry for buying the Sapphire.
Gillian.

Here is what one owner said about the Sapphire 850 - what she doesn't like:

Needle up/down default setting seems to have a mind of its own. I like the default to be needle down but it always seems to be set to up no matter what I do to change that. That is my biggest complaint. I am sure that I'm missing something or doing it wrong. When I have that figured out I'll have very little to complain about.

Thread cutter in the front means I always have to tuck the needle and bobbin threads back under the presser foot - not a big deal but it's time consuming when I'm sewing lots of short seams. Fortunately I'm pretty handy with a pair of nippers.

The accessory tray in the back, wish it were in the front, wish that presser foot C would fit in the third slot from the right or left. It fits only in a specific spot in the tray so I can't keep my presser feet in alphabetical order, really NOT a big deal but still a little annoying. The dealer says that I'll end up owning so many of them that I'll need to keep them in a separate case anyway LOL.

Speaking of presser feet - wish I could have picked which 9 I got, i'd rather have an invisible zipper foot than a regular zipper foot for example. I'd love if Husqvarna had an accessory credit program where a new machine purchase would give you a certain value of accessories to choose from rather than getting a preselected set. I realize WHY they don't do that, but I really wish they would. Every sewer has his or her own special needs when it comes to machine accessories. Why not recognize that?

I wish the handbook and manual had been spiral bound.

The DVD that comes with the machine is just the demo that you probably got at the store (if you have a good dealer). I was hoping it would have a more thorough display of the machine's capabilities.

There wasn't an accessory catalog included with the binder, handbook, and manual. And the accessories seem expensive to me. I've been careful to buy things only when I have a coupon or when they are on sale - and things do go on sale from time to time. It's like when you shop at JoAnn. There's ALWAYS a coupon for something. Don't shop without it!

and another:

I like everything about this machine! It feels like it is sewing through butter. So smooth and quiet. I sewed for 4 hours straight right out of the box. The touch button settings are so easy to understand and use. The screen is easy to read and the available stitches are right in front of you by lifting the cover. Another great feature is the height you can get on the presser foot (I hope I'm using the right terminology) for really thick items like sandwiching a quilt.

What she does not like about this machine
The thread cutter doesn't seem very sharp. A few times I had to go through it more than once to get it to cut. Maybe I'm not getting the thread in just the right spot.

and another:

I've had this machine about a month now, and I'm learning more about it every time I use it...it has a personality that is far different than that of my old Bernina 801 (circa early 80s). The Sapphire sews beautifully and is very powerful...it's like sewing through butter. As a previous reviewer also said, I LOVE the "Fix" and "Stop" buttons which tie off your thread at the beginning and end of a row of stitches--simply by pressing the buttons. You do have to start slowly when you use the "Fix" button; otherwise, the knot you get on the back isn't clean, and the functional results aren't as good. Once it finishes the knot and starts moving, you can go as fast or slow as you like. The basting stitch is great. It really is a long, nice stitch, so this machine truly allows you to machine baste. The 850 also makes sewing very easy. You select the fabric type (woven light, medium, heavy; stretch light, medium, heavy; vinyl), and the screen tells you everything, from what needle and presser foot to use down to tension, which is easily set by moving the wheel up or down. I am able to keep my tension on 5 for most everything, but for basting I move down to 4 or even 3. The stitch for knits on this machine is very strong - if you're like me and don't have a serger (yet), you'll appreciate that.

The needle threader takes some getting used to, but it does work. You MUST be sure that your needle is all the way "up," that is, turn the wheel so that the needle is in its highest position, and the threader yields good results. I am still very fond of the fact that you can wind your bobbin AFTER the needle has been threaded. Very very nice, especially for those unfortunate times when the bobbin thread runs out while you're sewing. They even built in a thread cutter up there just to cut the thread, but so far I have used scissors. I keep forgetting that extra cutter is there.

The dual lights are nice, and the display is well lit and easy to read. I played around with programming stitches, and it was easier than I imagined it would be. The extra free arm space is fantastic. Between projects, you just brush it out and change the needle - no oiling!!

Since I do not have a serger (yet!), I regularly use the overcast stitch on this machine to finish my seams. The foot that is provided for this is very helpful, as you can align your fabric edge along the edge of the foot. I have only made buttonholes with it in practice, but they are beautiful buttonholes and truly one-step...waaaay different than my ol' 801.

I have purchased two extra feet since buying the machine: 1) foot that allows you to easily stitch in the ditch; 2) a 5/8" foot, which makes sewing garment seams so much easier on my eyes and concentration!! I do plan to buy the invisible zipper foot as well.

what she doesn't like: not much not too like

A review of the 870:

This was my first computerized machine. After I brought it home, I spent about 4 hours playing with it and trying all the features. I ran into a couple of frustrations. I called the dealer, she talked me through it, and it's been smooth sailing every since. Given my transition from mechanical to computerized, I consider this a successful and brisk transition. After that first call to the dealer, I have no questions!

- Auto Thread Cutter (leaves about 1/5 inches after cutting)
- Computer interface easy to navigate (my first computerized machine)
- Auto tension adjuster
- Ability to over-ride auto-tension adjuster
- Needle Down
- Push petal to lift presser foot
- Really wide foot petal
- Bobbin threading through needle! (great time saver, much to my surprise)
- Drop-in bobbin
- Amazingly large harp space
- Well-lit sewing area
- Viking website has great tutorials with sewing technique (using zippers, making, darts, etc.)
- Machine has everything that I wanted for under $2000. No embroidery. In my opinion, it has the features of the Designer I without the fuss of the embroidery.
- Seems to have the right number of buttons for the features I need right in front of you.
- "Fix" feature (locks in stitches in one place)
- Machine design and software interface are well thought out. (For example, some features are remembered when you set them and turn off the machines, and others are not. But the ones I want it to remember are memorized and the ones I don't are auto-defaulted. The designers understand what a sewer will need).
- Machine shape is elegant to my eye. I find other machines to be rather boxy or fussy looking -- too many buttons.
- Quiet machine with little vibrations.
- Can operate at a very high speed, but also very slowly! (my old machine would rattle a LOT when it was going fast. I can't keep up with this one!)

Machine comes with 6 bobbins. My dealer threw in another 10, some thread, and some feet worth about $300.

What she does not like about this machine
Nothing big - but if you really want to know...
- Green plastic bobbins seem a little flimsy. I've only used metal bobbins before this machine and metal seems nicer.
- Full bobbins aren't as nice as those from my mechanical machine. There is some technique in doing it right, and now that I've learned - full bobbins are great, not superb.
- Accessory box a little complicated to open and positioning is a little strange. This complaint may be related to how my sewing area is set-up. When attached, accessory box is nice and tight.
- Alphabet stitches look like crap. I'd never use these.
- Screwdriver to replace needle. I find this a little annoying, but given the auto-tension I find that I'm able to use the "wrong" needle a lot more and get away with it. So, I don't actually end up changing the needle as much as I used to.

I probably could have gotten a slightly better price, but given that this is a new machine and I am paying for good dealer service, I consider this a fair price.

Hope this helps!
Teresa

Thank you, Gillian and Teresa. It helps to hear about users' experiences, likes and dislikes. It's so hard making a decision like this (involving lots of $$) !!
Marcia

marcia, go to www.patternreview.com and look on the left column for sewing machine reviews. Then click on Viking and you will see many reviews on the different machines. It is a great site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pattern Review

I have an 870. I absolutely adore mine! I just wish it had come standard with the walking foot, but that's separate and costs $100. There are several differences between the 850 and 870 - and the cost is negligible in the grand scheme of things. Just my $0.02.
Anjea

Thanks for your help, greenmtn and Anjea. I've also been looking at (on the Internet) the Janome Memory Craft 6500P. Anyone have any comments on that one? I know there is a newer model, the 6600P, but I can't find a price for that one on the web. It has something called AccuFeed. I'm not sure is that is a good thing or not if you want to quilt or perhaps try free motion quilting at some future time.

I'll probably love whichever machine I choose--I just have to get past making the decision!
Marcia

Thats the machine I have Marcia I brought mine in 2006, I have seen ads about the "AccuFeed" but know nothing about it unless it takes the place of a "walking foot".
I have no complaints about the MC6500P and it has a very good 1/4" foot.

Gillian.

Gillian, how does your machine do when sewing over top of seams? For instance, my Kenmore gets hung up on them and makes tiny little stitches until it gets over the hump. One thing about the Sapphires that attracted me was their claim of a presser foot sensor system that automatically adjusts to fabric thickness when sewing. I'm not sure if the Janome has a similar feature.
Marcia

Marcia I think the "pressure foot" part is mentioned now on most machines that said I use my machines to piece quilt tops together and never had a problem, any problems I have had sewing has been the operator not the machine.

Gillian.

If you want to use the Sapphire for quilting, you might have to bite the bullet and get the walking foot (even feed foot) for $100 - it is worth it. Another foot that I would recommend is the piecing foot with a metal bumper on the right side - not the "piecing foot" that comes with most of the machines. This was only about $20 when I got mine a couple of years ago and is worth every penny. With it on the machine and the needle set at the far right position you can get a nice 1/4" seam for piecing and it is always the same (unless the operator forgets to move the needle over!). It may be called the "edge stitching foot with a metal flange".

I have had mine for several years and it has not been worth the price i paid for it. There is no one close by that can work on it or to get parts from. At the moment, I am very dissatisfied with it.

Sorry you are unhappy. Viking machines are pretty pricey, and not that common.

bkay