I have the 6600 and love it. the only thing I liked better about the 7700 was the deeper throat and it was not worth the extra $1000. I paid 1175.00 for my 6600 a year and a half ago.

I have the 6600 and love it. I bought it just before the 7700 came out. I would like to have the 7700, but can't justify the extra expense this soon after buying the 6600. The 6600 sews and fmq's beautifully.

I love my Janome Horizon but I did have a major problem with it. Something went out on the circuit board and it took about 3 months to get it back. Haven't had a problem with it since. Luckily, my dealer loaned me a Horizon while he had mine. I think I was one of the first to get mine so they probably have the problem fixed now on the newer machines. I also like the larger harp (wish it was bigger) and the knee lift. I am going to have to try the stop-go button. One reason I bought the Horizon is because my dealer gave me full value on the 6600 I bought from him a couple years early. I do miss being able to wind my bobbins while sewing - something the 6600 does but not the Horizon.

Had mine 2 years and it's awesome. Use it all the time. No problems. They did just come out with a new model though... If I was in the market today, I would cross compare them.

They are running around $1999 here. Last deal I saw they threw in the 3160QDC travel machine - retails around $650 and a bunch of extras like the tote, the table, extra feet. They had a whole dry erase board full of what it included. Needless to say, they were willing to dicker and deal. I paid $2100 for mine two years ago, got the bag and some extras, so I don't feel so bad. I also have the 3160QDC and it's a great travel machine. The Horizon is just too heavy to travel to sew.

I traded my 11000SE for the Horizon 12000 and love it. I have had it almost a year and no problems that reading the book didn't solve. The Yahoo 12000 group is great and the Janome website has lots of information and videos on using the different feet. I think you can't go wrong with a Janome. I have a small one for travel and my grand daughters use it when they sew.

Do any of the new models have a setting where you can set it to automatically lift the presser foot slightly when you stop with the needle down?
As I do mostly machine appliqué this (and the lock stitches) is the best feature on my Pfaff.
Would love to know!

I have had my 7700 for a year and a half. Paid $1999 with an old kenmore trade in, I love the machine, BUT there is one drawback for me, I have a little hard time changing the feet(the screw is very close to the light) BUT even with that I would not trade it. Love the 11" throat. I used to have the 6500, and loved it (kept it) but for FMQ the extra inches are great, I do all my own quilting. Good luck with making a decision. I also sew everyday (in the winter) usually many hours a day. And have not had problems, But I give it a break in the summer t golf.

I have the Horizon 7700 and absolutely LOVE it!!!!!!!!!! Never any problems and I sew almost every day except Sundays. Would buy it again without looking at anything else.

I believe the 8900 has an option to have the presser foot lift automatically when you stop. I use the knee lift on my 7700 to do the same but an automatic lifter would be nice, I think :)

Several have alluded to this yahoo group. It really is a good thing to review, even after you make the purchase. Like anything with this complexity, there are pros, cons and 'bugaboos' that need sorting out. You can really benefit from others' observations good and bad.

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Thanks everyone. I have joined the yahoo group but have not had time to visit the site yet. Maybe in a day or two, I will have time.

Well, I took the plunge and purchased a Horizon 7700. My son's mother in law and I both purchased one. They are floor models. My ds and ddil brought mine to me last night. But I have been too busy to even open the box. It will probably be next week before I get a chance to play. I have visited the yahoo group a few times and there is a lot of information there. Thanks everyone for your input.