DH got me the brother PE500 on black friday for 199$ and free shipping. I LOVE it. Yes, you can get another hoop or 2, but I've found that I can do just about anything with it. You have to rehoop if you want larger than 4 inches, but it comes with a template that will allow for larger lettering if needed. You can also download designs from the internet and transfer them to the machine. It takes a cartridge as well, but I don't think its needed. The needle threader is awsome so is the thread cutter. Can't beat the price for what it does.