Anyone got any views about the Janome 300e?
TIA
Annie
Yup. It's old out of date technology.
@annieeg if you needed to replace your phone or computer would you buy one that was 10 years old or would you go for a current one knowing even it will be outdated in a year or two? Two things about this machine you should be thinking about. Nothing to do with Janome either, I like the ones I've used. First, by current standards this is a small entry level hoop. Have you thought about what precisely you would like to be embroidering, both designs and on what objects? Have you looked at designs to see if the ones you lust after are available for this, as well as how they look? Designs are not identical from size to size do to the number of stitches involved and the enhanced detail available on a larger design.
Second do you want to be buying special cards, card holders so you can put them in your machine as well as card readers? It takes a bit of fiddling to get a design from the net onto your machine with this older technology. I would strongly urge you to hold out for a machine that at the very least let's you attach your pc to the embroidery machine by cable to transfer designs. Even that is a PITA. That's how my machine works. Newer ones use a USB to both store and transfer the designs. The newest machines allow for wireless design transfer.
I just wouldn't pay for anything computerized that is that old and frankly antiquated. If it's a gift, sure. Otherwise you hold off and save up for newer technology and the biggest embroidery size available. Remember that hoop size does not equal largest embroidery field. Sometimes they'll tell you 5" x 7" and your embroidery field is smaller. Other times it will do designs that big.