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Brother PC-8500 To buy or not?
dcalhoun Member since 3/4/12 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/4/12 2:43 PM Is it worth buying a used 2000 year model Brother PC-8500 for $500, or is it out of date because of software computer changes since that time. Is this a good machine?
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5843	Login to reply to this post In reply to dcalhoun Like this post Date: 3/4/12 2:50 PM I think you could get a new Brother will similar features and hoop size for a similar price. -- Edited on 3/4/12 3:25 PM -- ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
sewfrequent Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/27/03 Posts: 2904	Login to reply to this post In reply to dcalhoun Like this post Date: 3/4/12 7:12 PM Its a very good machine but yes, it is now out of date...but can still be used with PEDBasic. However, my dealer had a few 8500's for sale 2 years ago that he was selling for $350. So that price might be a tad high especially if no warranty. I don't recall now if that one has 5x7 embroidery field or not but if it is 4x4, i'd not pay $500 for one that old bc as stated, you can get a new one that does 4x4 for close to that price.
biochemistress   Advanced VA USA Member since 11/8/05 Posts: 257	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/4/12 7:26 PM Wow, my eyes are playing tricks on me! I read that as "Is it worth buying a 2000-year-old Brother..."
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post In reply to dcalhoun Like this post Date: 3/4/12 7:35 PM Old technology in that it uses a memory card - new technology uses USB stick drive. Unless the machine comes with a reader/writer and rewritable memory card, that will be another $100 for PED Basic. Regardless of what you decide on, you will need a basic embroidery machine software program to view downloaded design files. And you will be downloading. There are many free designs on the Internet, including at the Brother website. One popular software program is Embird. Begin with the basic program and then add plug-ins as you become more comfortable with machine embroidery. Or, you may be ok with basic. When you are ready you can get a trial of Embird here. -- Edited on 3/6/12 10:34 AM --
mssewcrazy   Advanced MS USA Member since 3/4/03 Posts: 2303	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/5/12 4:54 PM I have this machine which I still use at times though I have newer usb models here. It has a 5x7 field and uses a card/box device to input designs or memory cards. I started out with this method and to me it is no big deal. If you are buying from an individual ask how heavily it was used and where/when it has been serviced,etc. I didn't sell mine or any of my embroidery machines as they depreciate in value so I figure I'll just use them for my own purposes. I definitely wouldn't sell my 8500 for $500 so it will stay and stitch until it dies.
Mrs.Moos   Intermediate CA USA Member since 11/5/02 Posts: 2340	Login to reply to this post In reply to mssewcrazy Like this post Date: 3/6/12 0:06 AM I have heard these 8500's were gems. I almost bought one but got a new 2002D Ult instead-which I can add is a great machine! It takes floppies or the Brother Babylock card. Don't knock the upper end Brothers-they were/are good, easy to use machines! ------ Brother ULT 2002D, Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Juki MO654DE, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX, Singer 15-91
mssewcrazy   Advanced MS USA Member since 3/4/03 Posts: 2303	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mrs.Moos Like this post Date: 3/6/12 8:23 AM I've got a 2001 ultra also that I love to do certain tasks on. Those upper level brother and babylocks which are their pretty much identical twins are really nice machines. Some people have run up a stitch count that is very impressive on them. With several upgrades of embroidery machines including an artista and a 6 needle I didn't put much of a stitch count on any of them. Some people embroider morning noon and night and others dabble on these machines. I have become a dabbler stitching several projects and then onto sewing,quilting or knitting. Others I have known keep a machine around thinking they will pick up the embroidery hobby and never get the bug so if one gets one of the little used older ones the 8500 or the ultras could be a real bargain for someone wanting a first embroidery machine. I keep hoping vet daughter will want one of these machines. The ultra was a couple of thousand dollars when new and serviced by a dealer as necessary so no way like the 8500 it is leaving here for book value. I really wish my ultra had been a D model ultra as a small Disney machine lives here too that only stitches the D cards but with the various machines I can do whatever project I am interested in so I just quit upgrading like I did when I had the embroidery bug really bad. I still like the hobby a lot but now I just take it in spurts as needed to embellish something I'm working on or rev up a special gift. I do love the larger viewing screen on the ultras. I do find I have to be more careful on the 8500 when following a color chart than on the ultra but I just line the threads up -other than that and not having the 6x10 hoop and the floppy option they are pretty similar to me. My newer machines have larger hoops but I don't use them all that often. The one I use the most is the 5x7 size using a 4x4 or under design with text or a frame or a slightly larger design like a 5x5 but that is me so I still find the 8500 useful. I guess what one needs in a machine depends on what you want to do with it. I like having the larger hoop options at times but for most of what I do the 8500 still works for me.
Geralyn   Intermediate NY USA Member since 12/6/04 Posts: 21	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/6/12 9:27 AM I have had the PC-8200 (same machine but fewer upgrades) since 1997. I used it as my "workhorse" machine with occasional embroidering for 7-9 years. I loved it! It developed some problems (mother board or something else) and it was sent away for repairs. It took 9 mos. and I bought another machine while waiting. It cost me around $350 to get it repaired. It is still an awesome machine that I use occasionally. I would use it more often if I had the space to keep it out all of the time.
sewsally   Intermediate WA USA Member since 8/18/02 Posts: 1200	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/6/12 12:14 PM I have this machine and it makes fantastic buttonholes and otherwise is very easy to use for sewing. I haven't done any embroidery in a long time. I have PE Design 3. If you want to get this machine for embroidery - I wouldn't. They don't make the flash cards anymore. You need that to transfer designs to the embroidery machine from your computer.

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