One like the LB6800PRW has would probably cost about $15, but either one looked like it would have been better than the LED grid above the different stitches. This seemed like a bad idea, as an LCD nowadays would only cost about $5. The stitch selector area has a bunch of LED's over each stitch, and in embroidery mode, the LED's act as a big indicator for things. The things I didn't like about the machine specs before I used is that there is not an LCD screen or anything like it on the machine.
The feet and needles are also interchangeable with the LB6800PRW that I already had, so that was a plus too. The XL-400 has some features that didn't matter much to me, but they sounded nifty, such as the quick threading of the machine, and the auto-tension. I wanted something like this for doing delicate fabric, as I felt that going at 350 stitches per minute was too fast for some fabric. There is also a speed controller, so that the speed at which the embroidery id done can be slowed down from maximum speed. The LB6800PRW isn't anywhere near as deep, so it is hard to sew shirts or embroider them. The SL-400 also has a deep throat, allowing bigger items to be rolled up under the machine. The alignment tools allow you to shift the placement of the design using the machine instead of physically rehooping.
I have tried to do manual alignment, and I can't even get close, no matter how long I try. The XL-400 brings a bigger embroidery area of 10 inches by 6 inches and the option to go to 20 inches by 12 inches by multi-hooping, using some nifty alignment tools that are built into the hoop and machine. Besides those reviews and comments, the machine had the features I most wanted. There were a decent amount of negative reviews out there that I saw, but most looked like they were from people new to sewing or embroidery where the issue was user related, not machine related. I did a bunch of looking around (literally a month of research) and finally decided to get the XL-400 Futura by Singer. 110 volt machine designed for United States and Canadian use only.I really wanted to get an embroidery machine that had a bigger embroidery field than my LB6800PRW. – 30 built-in sewing stitches with two fully automatic one-step buttonholes. – SwiftSmart threading system with Drop & Sew bobbin system makes for the easiest set-up – 125 built-in embroidery designs with five fonts and outline lettering – Easy-on extra-large 10-by-6-inch embroidery hoop with multihooping capability
– Create and edit embroidery designs on your PC using the included software then transfer them to the Futura XL-400 via the included USB cable Please note: this machine is not recommended for use in countries that do not support 120V AC, even if a voltage adapter is in use. – Reliable, easy threading of both top thread and bobbin, and auto thread cutter, for consistent stitching and precision thread trimming. Rotate, mirror-image, increase and decrease the size of your designs, and see how your edited design looks on the large, easy-view back lit LCD display before stitching. Store your purchased or custom edited designs to built-in memory, for future use. Import designs from your USB memory stick with the USB port, or memory card designs with the built-in card slot. – Virtually unlimited design options, with built-in memory. Designs include beautiful scrollwork, florals, and quilt patterns plus 10 frame shapes and 12 border styles. – 136 built-in embroidery designs and 6 lettering fonts.
Easily view your designs and editing options on the large, back lit display before stitching. Enjoy ample space for larger designs and lettering, and combine designs with less rehooping. – Expansive 5 inch x 7 inch field, and back lit LCD display screen.
On this post, you can see full comparison between Brother PE770 vs Singer Futura XL-400.
Identifying your requirements, evaluating all your options, and eventually making an educated buying decision needs a serious investment of time and effort. With the price range starting at over $500, choosing embroidery machine is undoubtedly a big decision and with so many technical variations it can easily become a daunting task.