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Bernina Artista 185E does anyone have this machine?
loti   Advanced FL USA Member since 5/27/04 Posts: 3507	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/9/12 11:34 PM There is one for sale near me, and while I never thought of using it for embroidery, the thought of monograms and buttonholes and FMQ are appealing to me. It comes with Embroidery Unit / CPS and 4.1 CPS software It has 234 hours of sewing time on it. The price is around $1,000 It has been serviced recently and is from a reputable vendor. If you own one do you like it, and what do you use it for mainly? ------ "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Coco Chanel Stash Sewn in 2011 148.5 Yds Stash Sewn in 2012.... counting... http://adonising.blogspot.com
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6747	Login to reply to this post In reply to loti << Like this post Date: 11/10/12 0:18 AM Maybe just a coinkydink, but this ebay listing for same model has exact same sewing time listed... Ebay closed listing Could be same seller. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
loti   Advanced FL USA Member since 5/27/04 Posts: 3507	Login to reply to this post In reply to LynnRowe << Like this post Date: 11/10/12 0:59 AM Could be, have you ever owned one of these? Most of what I can find online is about a compatible hoop, so either they are so old no ones owns them anymore or are so good no one wants to let anyone else know. LOL ------ "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Coco Chanel Stash Sewn in 2011 148.5 Yds Stash Sewn in 2012.... counting... http://adonising.blogspot.com
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6747	Login to reply to this post In reply to loti << Like this post Date: 11/10/12 7:04 AM Nope, never owned one, but I'm not a Bernina person. I'm betting there's a few PR members can give you the inside info on this model, though. I just wonder why it didn't sell, if it's the same ebay machine. Could be priced too high? Or could be nobody saw it and it's a great price. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
loti   Advanced FL USA Member since 5/27/04 Posts: 3507	Login to reply to this post In reply to LynnRowe << Like this post Date: 11/10/12 11:02 AM It's strange the price seems to be about right for what has sold this year, but very little information on it. ------ "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Coco Chanel Stash Sewn in 2011 148.5 Yds Stash Sewn in 2012.... counting... http://adonising.blogspot.com
Debbo   Advanced Beginner Member since 3/14/05 Posts: 260	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 11:14 AM Yes, I have one. It's a wonderful machine. You have to have a magic box or something like that in order to save designs, but otherwise, it's easy to use. Very sturdy. ------ Deb
AdaH   Intermediate IA USA Member since 11/21/09 Posts: 2133	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 11:14 AM I had one and liked it. I gave it to my DDIL when I upgraded to a 730E. If I remember correctly it has a 5.5MM stitch width? I still use it when I go to watch my grandchildren. There have been any number of times I wish I kept it as a extra machine. ------ Ada
loti   Advanced FL USA Member since 5/27/04 Posts: 3507	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/10/12 11:21 AM Thank you!! I will take another look at it today and decide, the local dealer is very well loved, so at least there will be someone who knows how to fix them if needed. As this would be my first computerized machine is there something in particular I should look for? ------ "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Coco Chanel Stash Sewn in 2011 148.5 Yds Stash Sewn in 2012.... counting... http://adonising.blogspot.com
AdaH   Intermediate IA USA Member since 11/21/09 Posts: 2133	Login to reply to this post In reply to loti << Like this post Date: 11/10/12 11:33 AM I don't think there is anything special to look for. I would have the dealer stitch out a design to make sure you like the way it works. I hope it comes with a lot of feet. They can be pricy. ------ Ada
Sharon Rose   Advanced IN USA Member since 3/10/11 Posts: 98	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 11/10/12 11:42 AM I hope this isn't a repeat because I accidently hit a key and think I just erased all I had previously typed. So here goes again. Loti, I have a Bernina 180E. I think it is the same as the 185E. I purchased it new 10 years ago and paid $3500. That included the embroidery unit, a number of feet, Editor software as well as the Artlink and CPS. The CPS and the Artlink are basic software that just mainly allows you to connect to your sewing machine and embroidery unit for exchanging designs and stitches. The Editor is basic design software. Bernina has a step-up from the Editor that was called Designer Plus that really gives many more features. I upgraded to this and enjoyed the creativity it gave me, immensely . You might want to check and see if the 185 interfaces with the computer via USB connection or serial port. I know the Artista 200 introduced the USB connection, but I think the 185 still used the same port as my machine. My 180 requires a serial port and many new computers don't have those kind of ports. You can buy a serial to USB port adapter, but I have read that many people have tried and been unsuccessful using that "go-around" to compensate for the lack of a serial port on their computer. Another problem I am experiencing with an older embroidery unit is that the Editor software is only compatible with Windows XP. I am not sure whether CPS has the same restrictions, but am guessing that it probably does since it was made at the same time the other software was made for these machines. Bernina does not support my older software, so I cannot get any help from them to work around the incompatibility issue with Windows 7. I have been told, "your just out of luck." There is a free download from the Bernina site, though, that is compatible with Windows 7. It is called Artlink. It only transfers designs from the computer to the embroidery unit. But at least you can use Windows 7 and get your designs into your embroidery unit....if you have a serial port. Again, remember you still need to somehow deal with the serial port compatibility issue. As a sewing machine, I have been very pleased with the quality of the Bernina 180E. And I have been very pleased with the embroidery features. But it is out-of-date when it comes to embroidery. Bottom line is that I suggest if you are looking at the 185E for its embroidery features, I would suggest you get something else...more up-to-date...something that is an embroidery unit only. I didn't know all this "stuff" when I invested. And there were not as many options back then. But if I were going to do this again, I would get a very good mechanical machine and a separate embroidery machine with latest state-of-the-art, top of the line designer software. Hope this has helped.

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