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Quilt path vs Intelliquilter


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I'm researching computerized systems.   Been watching the videos for both Quiltpath and Intelliquilter however many or most of the videos are years old.   I'm very uncomfortable making a decision on such a high priced item with old information.   Luckily I have a dealership close to me that I can go see and get a demo of the Quiltpath  which I am in the process of scheduling.   

The Intelliquilter site has no dealers listed (unless I missed it) so how do I schedule a demo?   I"m not at a point where I want to contact Intelliquilter - I just want to go to a dealership where I can see the demo in person and ask questions.   

I'm also confused on how these systems work.   I'm using a MAC system at home - will I need to integrate with either of these systems and if so, does that mean a Microsoft system is a must for my home computer?   I noticed Intelliquilter has the MAC Stiq - I read the description and don't understand what Stiq really is?  Is this in addition to their Intelliquilter that you have to purchase if you have a MAC or ??

Also, years ago there seemed to be concerns that Quitpath didn't have a "no sew" option - does it have that now?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.     Thanks....Mercedes

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Mercedes

Basically the Stiq if I remember correctly is an option to use your IQ software on your laptop to layout or edit the quilt pattern.  It is not needed and I suspect few IQ owners even have it.  You can do the same thing on the IQ tablet itself  but could be advantageous if you wanted to show a customer your design idea while the IQ is busy working.  The IQ tablet is Linux based and does not connect to the internet so no virus worries.  Any updates or new patterns you would download them on your PC or Apple machine and put them on a thumb drive and load them to the IQ tablet.  You can join the IQ forum for free and make a post telling us where you are and ask if there is someone close willing to demo their system, I know I would.  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/IntelliQuilter/conversations/topics  There is also a demo site showing how to use the IQ called http://www.iqdemos.com/ and the most recent stuff will be seen first.  All the older stuff can still be done but some of it will have new simpler methods as the software has been updated.  Lots of IQ members here also so tell us where you are and maybe someone is close.

 

Nigel

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Hi Nigel,

Thank you for the information.   I'm already a member of the yahoo group however most of the posts are with questions on the software.   I'm just outside of Seattle, Washington if there's anyone in the area who would do a demo - I really want to see the system.   I don't drive in Seattle so it would have to be other than there.

Glad to hear I didn't need to add the cost of the STIq and it's a stand alone system - makes it much easier!   I did checkout the videos on the intelliquilter site but most of those were on doing specific things - not really getting to know IQ.   Will continue to monitor the yahoo group and videos however it's not really that helpful to me.   I know nothing about the computerized systems and I don't know what to ask since I don't know what options I really need.   It was much easier researching machines then software.    Thanks!

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There are lots of posts here comparing the 2 systems. I have owned both and my personal feeling is that the IQ is a much better, robust, system. Do a search for the terms "QuiltPath" , "IQ", and "IntelliQuilter". I am sure you will be able to read all the comparisons and reviews. Definitely do your own research and hands-on testing prior to making your decision. I took someone's word for the QuiltPath and I later I found that it wasn't the system for me as I "think" differently than how the QuiltPath is programmed to do things. 

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Thank you Sue.   I've been reading the many posts on the forum on both systems however many of the posts are outdated so I don't know if the questions/answers are even still valid.   I'm trying to determine what are my "must haves" however I don't know what I need or want.   I was hoping there would be a list somewhere on those features you just can't do without and then start from there but I haven't found one.   Neither Quiltpath or IQ do a comparison of other systems to theirs so unless you know what you want - I don't know how I'm ever going to compare them.  I realize these systems have updates and change all the time however a list of the main features and those features everyone uses consistently would sure be helpful.

I did start a list based upon some of the forum information however I don't even know what those features do.    It's a good thing I'm starting now as it's probably going to take awhile to figure this all out - yikes!

 

Thanks.

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Mercedes:  I think you need to start by deciding how you want the computerized system to help you quilt.  Once you have a list of all the things you hope it will do for you, then begin asking if the system you're researching does that, and how it does it.  You need to think of the system as a tool that assists you to quilt, rather than some sort of stand alone thing.  Start with the tasks you like least doing manually, and work from there.  Jim

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Jim:   It's very hard to know what I want because I've never used a computerized system so don't really understand all they can do or can't do for me.  I do know I want the "no sew" option because I do a lot of embroidered blocks and want to be able to quilt around the embroidery in the block and the ability to adjust the pattern in side the block (even for wonky blocks).   

It's good advice to try and decided how I want the system to help me however I don't do well with imagining what I might want because I don't know what I don't know - that really sound funny doesn't it.     Hmmmm, the one task I really want the computer to do for me is "load the quilt on the frame" - too bad it can't do that!

I appreciate the input and will continue to work on a list and see where that takes me.....Mercedes

 

 

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Mercedes, my personal opinion is that you really need to check out the IQ. It makes the 2  things that you are wanting to do very easy. It has been several years since I've owned my QuiltPath, but I could not do either of these things when I had it. I fought with the QuiltPath every step of the way but there are others who have done amazing quilting with theirs. Hopefully, QuiltPath has upgraded both their software and hardware over the past couple of years, but I have heard nothing as no one seems to talk about it. Where are you located? There is an MQX Show coming up in Sept.in Springfield, IL ( https://www.mqxshow.com/MQX/Home/index.cfm?&app=mqxshow&ssl=set ) and I know there are classes on the IQ. I don't know where there are classes on the QuiltPath.

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With IQ you can do the no sew zone.  If the block is wonky, you can mark the block by clicking around the outside edges of it and fitting your quilting design inside the block.  You can adjust the size of the design to fit that wonky block.  Plus the easy thing about using the IQ is you can go from manual to computerized quilting in seconds by just touching the screen right in front of you (tablet is mounted on machine head) in seconds.

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I'm located outside of Seattle, Wa. so no IQ dealers on this side of the mountains and MQX in Illinois won't work for me - too far.    Just wondering, has anyone installed their own IQ on their Millennium and was it a big deal or fairly straight forward?      

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Mercedes, I know nothing about the geography of Washington, but I was just on the IQ website and found 1 dealer in Washington. You might want to call him and see where he is located and maybe he can give you a demo and answer your questions. He says he installs on all brands. The person who installed my IQ sells Gammills but he works on all brands so don't let the fact that he is a Nolting, A-1 specialist stop you from contacting him. Good luck!

Brian Hicks WASHINGTON
(509) 687-0359 
brianfhicks58@gmail.com 
All quilting machine brands
Nolting, A-1 Specialist

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I have a hydraulic lift and bliss on my machine.  It has two clamps each on the front and back lower rails to hold the hydraulic lift and who knows what else.   One clamp measures about 4 inches and the other is 1 inch - there's about 18 inches between the two clamps.   It looks like from the videos that I would have to somehow move those clamps so the lower rails both front and back have no clamps (no matter whether I went with IQ or Quiltpath).    I didn't find any videos on how to modify that setup.   I'd like to move that prior to any install of a computerized system.    Where and how do you move the hydraulic lift and clamps so they're out of the way?     I'm seeing that any install can be more complicated than I initially anticipated.

 

Thanks....Mercedes

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Yes, I saw the video with her setup on bliss with hydraulic lift however it doesn't show how she attached the hydraulic lift under the table.  I'm not sure if you have to drill holes in the table to do that or attach it in another way.   I don't really want to drill any holes in my table or my machine - whatever I purchase or have to modify has to be done without drilling.   I'll search on youtube and see if I can find something on how to move the lift.   Thanks....Mercedes

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Adding to the conversation, I have had and IQ system on my Freedom since I bought my longarm over 2 years ago and am extremely happy with it!  It's easy to learn and the support from IQ (both technical and functional) is fantastic.  I work in IT and have never had vendor support that could match Zoltan and IQ.  I do both pantograph and detailed custom quilting with mine and also the no-sew zone you mentioned.  I compared this to Quiltpath and one of my decision points was the Unix tablet...no viruses to worry about and lifetime software updates are included in the price.

If you can afford IQ it is well worth the price.  Good luck with our decision.

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