I'm currently performing some due diligence to decide on a machine upgrade, so I appreciate you taking the time to create this video. I too am looking at justification for the price difference. However, there are some points I'd like to add. Those after market lasers you refer to only provide a straight sewing line. The laser on the B790 Pro moves just ahead of the needle to show where the next stitch is going to go, even when using decorative stitches. It is impossible to replace this with an after market add-on. It's incredibly helpful for decorative stitches, applique and sewing over existing stitches. You mentioned that the machine is marketed at older sewists. Many of them are experiencing diminishing eyesight. So the laser is probably going to help them in ways that many of us cannot appreciate. The hook has been redesigned and the machine is quieter as a result. This new hook is allegedly going to be on all new models going forward. This is not a cheap undertaking. The embroidery module is improved, delivering significantly increased stitching speeds. Someone who is into free motion quilting may have no need for longarm designs and morphing. Many older sewists struggle with arthritic hands, so FMQ is something they can no longer enjoy. They may really appreciate the longarm designs and the functionality this provides. The jumbo hoop is easier to operate than the hoops of old, as you mentioned. The ability to use longarm designs and the inbuilt creativity with stitch design, plus the ability to purchase embroidery designs, may remove the need for digitising software. That's expensive to buy and one may need to purchase a software upgrade each time one upgrades one's PC. Potentially that's a significant offset to the B790 Pro's purchase price. There's an automatic needle threader; again a very useful feature for someone with arthritic hands or diminishing eyesight. The only decision I don't understand is the included BSR. I think that would be better as an optional extra, since many who buy it for the longarm features are probably not interested in the BSR.

Sorry, the BSR isn’t a built in walking foot, what you are describing is the Dual Feed mechanism 🙂

Sew… I’ve watch a few of these videos and am a long time industry insider. I’m almost lost for words on what to say other then some of your “facts” are not correct. In the first minute you grossly listed 3 features incorrectly. The mat finish is not to prevent glare but for design. BERNINA prides themself on design aesthetics. Limited edition machines are to capture attention. Your videos are interesting but you cause too much hand-ringing, for no reason. Just because you don’t like or need a feature, doesn’t mean everyone should feel the same way. I am not a fan of automatic thread cutters but consumers LOVE them. If I were a purchasing consumer, I too would not purchase a 790PRO, but I sell this machine and plenty of people have already come in to buy this machine. Yeah… who needs blue tooth, laser, morphing? Lots of people think this stuff is cool and even if they don’t use it, they still like to own it. There is enough sewing machines out there for everyone. Used or new, high end or low quality. But my personal experience has been that those with what I call “mad skill” are not using 60 year old machines. Winners of $10000 quilt show awards are NOT sewing on singer feather wt machines. And if you are quilting on an old machine, don’t get attached to a fun quilt store… in order to keep up with the quality and detail of todays quilts, you will be buying a new machine! In many ways, these videos are only to help those who have what I call “oldie moldies” confirmed in their minds that they don’t want a new, modern machine. It’s that cognitive dissidence that you mentioned in one of your videos. Consumers today are causing their own problems by purchasing on line, getting no support, and thinking a $500 machine is GREAT. Sewing machines range from $89 to $22000. Both ends have their issues: junk to excessive. I have sold thousands of machine covering this entire range of price. The least happiest consumer I have ever seen are those who buy on line. The happiest: those who let us help them get the RIGHT product and complete their education program. We are old school and teach LIVE classes on sewing machine knowledge on how to use every stitch, function set-up, good sewing habits. Half of my customers are replacing 30 to 40 year old machine because the realize it is holding them back. Do I have customers who are not “good” sewers? Of course! Some people just lack that “quality” gene. But for the most part, a good quality modern machine can be a life changing experience. I know… it happen to me 43 years ago!

Girl !!! you could never bore me with any details ❤ you are a life saver

Thank you for your video, while I agree about the laser being on other machines, the Bernina 790 pro is the only machine where it follows where the needle is going. This is huge for sewing zig zag and blanket stitches. When you’re bought into Bernina like me, no other machine has a better stitch quality. So getting a different machine that has a laser just isn’t good enough. Many dealers are offering awesome trade specials on this new machine. The MSRP is rarely what another would pay. Oh yeah, the larger screen and new embroidery module is a huge benefit too. Thanks again for your video and perspectives!

Thanks for an honest review! Greatly appreciated your perspective!

Thank you for your opinions and very thoughtful information.

If I could learn all of the functions very well, I would buy it. I have a 570 and still haven't learned everything about it, I bought it in 2019.

Very interesting video. Of course, the customers they are aiming for are retirees. Who else could afford the price of this behemoth? I like Bernina very much, and the quality of the stitches is really great. However, in my opinion, they are lacking in certain aspects. Now, in 2023, they are introducing an automatic needle threader on their flagship? I can't help but laugh. I'm Swiss, I love Bernina; I've sewn on Bernina machines and even worked for them in retail. However, I've since switched to a Pfaff. I was looking for a sewing and stitching machine combination. I wanted to have an automatic needle threader and dual transport. So, let's compare: the least expensive Bernina with these features costs CHF 4,695.00 (USD 5,379), the Bernina B570 QE, and it doesn't even have an automatic needle threader! On the other hand, I purchased a Pfaff creative ambition 640 with all these features for CHF 1,579.00 (USD 1,809.00). Perhaps the stitches aren't as clean, but considering the price difference, I don't mind. It's quite disappointing that Bernina still offers this complicated semi-automatic needle threader. Many of the elderly customers I encountered in my classes, where I explained the features of their newly purchased machines, did not like the needle threader at all! Best wishes from Switzerland ♥Yours truly Katrin

Thanks for your help. Trying to make up my mind!!!

Thank you for your comments about the 790 Pro. I have a 770 Tula Pink, which I love. I cannot justify buying the 790 Pro, though I know that I would enjoy some of the features. It will be interesting to see what Bernina comes up with when the new 9 series comes out next year, maybe then I might want to upgrade, but for now, no thanks.

Thank you! This was very informative!

The Morphing feature is wonderful!

Thanks for your informative review. I had similar thoughts on the machine but your review solidified my opinion. I was hoping to find an honest, raw review without the sales pitch. I'm a new subscriber - happy to support your channel.

Thanks. I've never been very lucky with walking out of the room while my machine is running. Something always seems to happen - thread breaks or frays, etc....

I want this machine! I have a Bernina 730 that I could never use the Embroidery feature. You would need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. So, when a few years pass, I might get one! Bernina has improved its embroidery use 100% since I bought mine!

Whoopty-do, I love it. Thank you for being so real. Your work is appreciated. This is the model I wish for, but I know I wont use all those fancy stitches, I don't do embroidery by machine I prefer hand stitching. I would like the the longer arm, I really like the built in walking foot, and thread cutter. But these are really the only things I'm looking for. So now I'm looking at Juki. And the price is compatible with my income and it will be a good hand me down machine. Your videos are very helpful.

Great video!

I enjoyed your review of the new Bernina 790 Pro. Fun to see the history as well. One thing you may not know (I found out the hard way) - The WiFi and phone app will only work IF you have the Bernina Version 9 digitizing software! Now THAT’S an expensive upgrade to have to purchase to make that option work for you! The EXP format is for embroidery files and their machines still use it for embroidery. The BQM files are long arm quilting machine files that the Bernina 790 Pro will now recognize along with the EXP files. I laughed when you mentioned that Bernina is marketing to seniors (I’m 69). I think you’re right as many of us have excess money that we’ve save up all our lives for retirement and we appear to be the ones that are flocking to the stores to buy the latest machines and attachments!

The machine is by far the best out there in terms of quality.

Thank you for the review on this machine and the others as well. What I really appreciate about the new generation of sewers coming aboard is that they are changing the direction of the sewing industry and companies like BERNINA will need to take notice. They are not as impressed with the technology because they grew up with it. These machines are basically a sewing machine with a tablet incorporated into it. Many are choosing mechanical machines over computerized ones. I love the technology, but there is just too much overhead attached to them. But I get it. That’s why they are smart and make marketing commercials aimed at their most affluent customers. For those who don’t understand marketing, the imagery they use is their target market. Great job!

I really enjoy your critiques-

People are very excited about the quilting capabilities, which are just now beginning to reach what some other models have been doing for years. I love the laser light that follows the needle. Very nice for applique.

Thanks for the advice. The shop has replaced my machine twice. I am glad to know others are having the same problem…not that I think that they should have the problem either, but I’m not crazy. Bernina needs to fix these machines and work on their quality control. I’m afraid if I disconnect my thread cutter, I will have to babysit my machine…oh well, that’s what I’m doing now!

it is FABULOUS no one likes the prices of anything these days but the technology in this machine is worth it! we have lower than MSRP in the store where I work- Janeans Bernina in Pasco WA and the BEST Tech there is-

Thank you for your honesty. We need more reviews that are whole story centered like you are. I am a retired nurse, and I don't feel they are marketing just to Seniors, simply because the sewer they use in a commercial is "of a certain age :) For me, with a 790 Plus who does not quilt, but does other types of sewing, I am a bit underwhelmed. I am guessing this pro isn't selling well, as many dealers are offering classes where you can use their 790 Pro in a class - will wait for this mysterious 990 I keep hearing rumors about.

I'm a retiree, and i could never afford this! In fact, my longarm WITH computer automation and a frame cost HALF of this.

Wonderfully honest review. I love your analysis! I guess I am a senior too, and thought I had splurged wildly on a B790 Plus a couple years ago. Now bernina comes out with this NEW model and includes a LAZER!? And BLUETOOTH. Well I just cant. I dont want to be the fisherman’s wife who kept wishing up and wanted a castle and to be queen. The cost will send me back to a hovel! (That said, I REALLY want the morphing feature. The pinpoint quilting on my 790 plus works great but I wish I could fit the designs into my squares that “sometimes “ come out wonky after piecing. Anyway. I love love your candor. And will subscribe to you because of it. Thank you!

BSR built in while you are showing a walking foot on a machine that has duel feed? The hoops with the dial was introduced for all 700 and 800 series machines.

I bought an 880. It was a learning curve, a beautiful machine after several trips to the repair man for repairs and lessons on it. The Bernina videos aren't that good.

My bernina (2023) freezes up. Did it right away. No solution in manual and couldn’t access machine manual because i was frozen out. Back to dealer. Home and it froze again. This time repair man showed hubby how to reactivate. I did nothing to cause the freeze, it just happened. Terrible. I started sewing at 10yrs of age, now mid 70’s. Have and do own Singer (1945), Elna (1974), Brother(2020) Janome (2021). None of those have been back to the shop. Go figure!

Omg right??? Give us the wifi dang it!

I really didn’t see what this new machine has to do with the age of a sewer.

I will wait for the new 9 Series since I already own the 8 PLUS. I have also tried the 790 Pro and for me, there isn't much difference because it copied the design from the 8 series and other series, only upgrading a few other functions.

Did you show the dual feed and call it the Bernina stitch regulator less than one minute into your video?

Y don’t they have the laser project of the design, on your fabric? I like that way more but it’s very nice ❤ I feel like baby-lock had the down and everyone is catching up I don’t understand y bernina hasn’t?

She mentions that the quilting options were only available to long armers. Not true! Those options have been available on other brands of domestic machines for a long time now.

What i don't like about the laser, (from watching someone else), is it only shows up second before the stich, only on the stich spot, not showing you the pathway it will be sewing. Which i was lead to believe it was supposed to do.

Not enough features that I would use. I have the 790 plus. I think I’ll just stick with what I’ve got.

$16,000 plus tax, shipping. Computer board maybe 10 yrs. 🤺💐

How much does it weigh? That's got to be a factor.

I am a Babylock owner and I commented on this on my Facebook. All the hype about this machine is hilarious. They think automatic needle threader is great? Yes, it is, but it's been around since the mid 90s. My Solaris has a camera for perfect placement....it's my third Babylock with a camera and it has a projector also. I have never been impressed with the Bernina. I have been in classes with mixed machines and the Bernina machines were always breaking down for one reason or another and they are noisy! Nope...buy either Brother or Babylock....Babylock preferrably,

I own a 790Pro and have been disappointed with the machine. I use it mainly for embroidery and it is one of the worst machines I have ever owned. The shop kept saying it must be me, but it’s not me! The thread cutter does not always work, and I think it cuts the thread too short, so that it does not pick up the thread, it just gives you a message the upper thread is missing. It is extremely frustrating. I have written to Bernina and followed up with and still no response. They did admit they reengineered the thread cutter. Would not recommend for purchase until they have better quality control.

Personally, I was laughing when you said this machine is targeted toward older people. Even with "mastery classes" these machines are too complex, and an interface with your phone is beyond many.

I mean, I wouldn't turn down a free 790 and I like the way Berninas sew, but all the features they are touting have been on other brand machines for years; I feel like all this marketing does is highlight how much their technology has lagged.

The title of your video implied that you had a chance to actually try it when you only review the features. Sorry, but that feels very clickbait’s to me.

A lot of empty talk about “laser”it’s so old thing in sewing industry ! How do these sewing machines sound when they are working? If there are bad mechanics, they usually sound loud and unpleasant, and of course they break quickly! Why does Bernina hide the sound of sewing machines so much, maybe the reason for this is very bad mechanics? Bernina sounds like a tractor?

Your snarky and limited opinions about this machine do not provide anything useful to people evaluating this machine. There are may more useful and informed reviews available.

How negative can you be?

Overpriced Buy a commercial machine instead