Janome CXL301 or XL601?

[teawamutu]

I'm about to upgrade from my Brother XL3600 and I want a Janome - partly because I've heard great things about them and partly because they use the same kind of feet as Brother.

Went to local sewing shop yday and tried the CXL301 and XL601 - 300 and 350 quid respectively.

The spec seems to be exactly the same, so don't know if I'd get much benefit from the more expensive model, but maybe I'm missing something?

And am I right that I can use non-branded feet as long as the fitting's the same?

Does the 601 not have built in scissors? If so I think they are worth having.

I've got the 301 (well the smd 3000 which Is the same spec) and I'm really happy with it.

I don't think it does - they're not mentioned anywhere. Is the 301 your first machine or was it an upgrade for you?