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Can't decide between Babylock and Husqvarna Sewing/embroidery machine decision
pielady55 Member since 6/25/12 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/25/12 9:45 AM I am looking to get a new embroidery/sewing machine. I am torn between a Husqvarna Topaz 30 and a Baby Lock Ellageo Plus. I am trying to compare these but can't seem to find what is better. The Baby Lock is about 1,000 more but need to figure out if it is worth the difference. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!
bellsew   Advanced WA USA Member since 10/14/03 Posts: 390	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Cant decide between Babylock and Husqvarna Date: 6/25/12 10:26 AM It depends on what you more of. More embroidery...pick the Babylock. More sewing...pick the Viking. Babylocks are super user-friendly when it comes to embroidery. Vikings are so nice to sew on because the needle is up front.
1975Jumby Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/19/08 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post In reply to pielady55 << 1 member likes this. Date: 6/25/12 11:29 AM I would definitely go with the Ellageo Plus, mainly because the screen is going to be much bigger than the Topaz 30 and it's in color, plus it's an LCD touch screen. The Topaz is only 64 x 48 mm wheras the Ellageo PLus is 240 x 320 mm. However, if pricing is an issue, let me suggest you look at Babylock's Estane (Model BLN). I just purchased this machine last month and have been sewing and embroidering non-stop and love everything about it. It was $2495 and can do pretty much everything the Ellageo Plus can. The Estante is exactly like the Ellageo Plus except it has a monochrome LCD screen and there are some additional quilting features available on the Ellageo Plus and a few other little things that, to me, were not that big of a deal. Also, the Ellageo Plus comes with the 4 x 4 hoop and the embroidery unit case. With the Esante, you have to purchase the case seperately. That would be my only complaint. One other thing people might find to be an issue is the Esante comes with a USB Type B port, which means you need to connect your computer to the machine to transfer the design. The Ellageo Plus has USB Type A which takes the USB sticks. To me, it wasn't an issue since my computer is in the same room as my sewing machine and you don't have to keep the two connected. I just don't see it as that much of an inconvenience....but to each his own. I did a point by point comparison on another thread here. My dealer was selling the Esante for $2495 and the Ellageo Plus was about $3895. I wanted the savings to spend on the workbook (which I love) and stabilizer, thread, etc. Go to Babylock's website and do a comparison on the Esante and Ellageo Plus. They have a little comparison chart that you can put together with up to 3 machines. Now, I didn't research Husqvarna's Designer Topaz 30 too much, but I do see them in Joann's and have sewed on them. It's the small screen that bothered me and I felt for what they were charging, you should get more. Not only that, but you should check the reviews on PR here on that machine. There are some people that had quite a bit of problems. I just don't think you can go wrong with Babylock. -- Edited on 6/25/12 11:31 AM -- ------ Babylock Ellisimo Gold Babylock Enlighten Kenmore 1914 Kenmore 1814
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Subject: Cant decide between Babylock and Husqvarna Date: 6/25/12 11:38 AM BL's are known to be more expensive (kinda like Bernina's) and there is a HUGE debate over whether the price is worth it. Personally, I don't think BL is ALL THAT. Don't get me wrong, they are very good and I don't have any specific problems with any of their machines. I just have a problem paying extra for a name. As you may or may not know, BL's (most of them) are made by Brother. You may want to research whether there is a comparable Brother model for the BL you're looking at. Often times, they have a "match" and the Brother's are less expensive, but have the same features. For example, the BL Ellure Plus is the same machine as the Brother Innovis 1250D. The only difference is that the Brother comes with the Disney licensing for embroidery. Finally, I definitely agree with bellsew's advice. If you plan for more embroidery, I would lean towards the BL, more sewing, leaning towards the Viking. Oh... one more thing... definitely read through the reviews here on PR and anywhere else you can find them online. Then go sew on them both with some typical fabrics you use frequently. I think between those two last things, you'll have your decision made! Good luck and HTH!! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
1975Jumby Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/19/08 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post In reply to heathergwo << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 12:11 PM Heathergwo is right about the Babylock and Brother machines, but I also think it depends on your dealer and who carries what. For instance, there is really only one dealer in my area that specializes in Brother, but several in Babylock. I found that the Brother machines were being sold for about 15% MORE than the Babylock equivalents and I guess that was possible since there was no competition. And since there were quite a few Babylock dealers in my area, the pricing was extremely competitve and I felt fair. But that isn't always going to be the case and in your area, the Brothers might be less expensive and Babylock's could be more. In fact, just recently, someone was quoted almost $3K for an Ellure Plus and my dealer was selling that for only $1395. So it really does depend. But yes, in general, sometimes Babylocks can be more than Brother. From my research, I found the Brother/Babylock equivalents to be as such: Brother Quattro 2 6700 - Babylock Ellisimo Gold Brother Duetta 4500(4000) - Babylock Ellegante 3 Brother Innovis 2800D - Babylock Ellageo Plus Brother Innovis 1500D - Babylock Esante Brother Innovis 1250D - Babylock Ellure/Ellure Plus Brother Innovis 950D - Babylock Sofia Good luck with your search and let us know what you choose! But I definitely think you should give Brother/Babylock another look as I really do feel they give you the most bang for your buck. And that's just my opinion. :) ------ Babylock Ellisimo Gold Babylock Enlighten Kenmore 1914 Kenmore 1814
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6787	Login to reply to this post In reply to heathergwo << 1 member likes this. Date: 6/25/12 5:03 PM No debate whatsoever from me...I think Babylocks are well worth every penny! ------ 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.
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 8925	Login to reply to this post In reply to LynnRowe << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 5:06 PM I do not have a babylock, but it is my understanding they have a terrific "Gold" care package that is available? ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines
1975Jumby Intermediate CA USA Member since 8/19/08 Posts: 515	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mufffet << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 5:20 PM Yes, Muffet, they do have the Gold Standard Warranty. This provides 3 years parts and labor (above the 1 year provided with the machine) as well as an annual service check up of sorts. Depending on the deal you get from your dealer, it can be worth it. My dealer extends the parts and labor warranty to 5 years on any Babylock he sells, and I think this attests to his confidence in Babylock. They didn't try to sell me the Gold Standard, but I believe my dealer automatically packages it with the Ellisimo Gold. I've heard of others on the board that have worked the Gold Standard in with their sale and they were pretty pleased that they did. And I agree with LynnRowe....I think Babylocks are worth every penny too! ------ Babylock Ellisimo Gold Babylock Enlighten Kenmore 1914 Kenmore 1814
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6787	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mufffet << Like this post Date: 6/25/12 5:28 PM I have this Gold on all my BLs, but I don't know if it's standard for all BLs or not. The warranty on BLs is outstanding, that's for sure! ------ 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.
Glynis Ann Intermediate Member since 11/7/10 Posts: 84	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/25/12 5:39 PM I’ll put Babylock on my list to take a closer look at. There aren’t many posts about them. I don’t know if that means a lack of problems or lack of owners.

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