Can anyone give me a comparison about Embird vs. viking 5D. I am thinking of a purchase, (have a Ruby machine) but wonder if the investment in viking product is worth it. Thanks for any help.

I attended a 5D seminar recently given by a Viking rep. She said that 4D is no longer being supported - it's only been available for less than two years. 5D looks brilliant and easy but I believe that 6D is now in the process of being developed.

I have the 3D Professional Suite, no longer supported, of course, since 4D was produced.

Will this same scenario continue if 5D is outmoded?

It's quite expensive to upgrade from 4D to 5D.
Everything about Viking products is expensive. Having spent thousands of dollars on a program, should we be expected to pay for support as well?

I believe that support should come from the makers of software, not from groups or under-trained machine dealers. I also believe that people who helped to build a company deserve as much consideration in support as those who are able to purchase or upgrade to the very latest product every time something new is presented.

I love using my Designer II machine but I will not spend any more money on Viking software. 3D serves me well and I like using it but, of course, it is now 'old'.

If I purchase another embroidery system I will probably research the opinions of successful digitisers, just as you are doing here, and settle on a much less expensive program, one which people are happy to use and recommend.

Do some serious research such as The Secrets Blog ......

http://www.secretsof.com/wp/?p=10...

to get more opinions.

AlmaG.

2 comments

by marjialexa 05 Aug 2011

I totally agree, Alma! I just don't understand upgrading software after a couple years, then not supporting the older one. I have Janome Digitizer Pro, and there was an upgrade about a year or maybe two ago, I took my laptop with the program on it into my dealer, she loaded the upgrade, that was that. There was no charge, no fee, no cost, and then she had a couple of classes to tell all of us about the improvements in the upgrades, the new things we could do, all for free!! I know my software was expensive, but the support was more than worth it! Just don't know what Viking can be thinking, especially in this terrible economy. I wouldn't invest in them at all, because they might not even be in the software business pretty soon, let alone offer support. Scary. Hugs, Marji

by michemb 06 Aug 2011

Thank you AlmaG. I will check out secrets blog. I do get a feeling that the general concensus is that HV's reputation and their services is not up to speed considering the cost of their product. Thanks again for you imput and I will continue my research.

Ok, I haven't seen "Mops" around lately, and I'm pretty sure she has the Viking software and the Embird as well, and as I recall from various posts, she really likes the Embird, and she surely does some excellent digitizing. If she doesn't see and respond to this post, why don't you try to PM her and ask. She could give you a head to head comparison. Just my opinion, but I think a program could stand on it's head and spit nickles, but if there's no support for it, what good is it? Seems like maybe Viking is dropping the ball on this one. Hugs, Marji

2 comments

by michemb 05 Aug 2011

Thank you, I will try to e-mail her for her opinion because if she has both programs, her expertise will certainly be a big help in my decision.
Have a nice day and hugs back to you. Michelle

by mops 06 Aug 2011

Been away scraping, sanding and painting my boat and sailing a couple of days - no embroidery, no digitising, no Cute, a sore back, a red nose, hair unmanageable, in short a lovely week. But now I'm back! Seen the PM and answered it.

I have embird and am very pleased with it. I have not tried others because of cost. Lots of FREE help out there for embird and the cost cannot be beat. They have great tech support and always answer their email. Artistic Threadworks does NOT use EMBIRD and I don't believe they have lessons either unless way back in their files. They use GENERATIONS and have great FREE videos on it. It is also a great program going by Holly's videos at Artistic Threadworks but again very expensive. You can get a free trial of embird for 30 days so why not try that. Hope this helps.

I agree 100% with all of you! Viking NEEDS to read some of these comments!! But that's not going to happen. I love my Viking products, but the lack of service is driving people away. Anyone on here have some contact with a Viking rep, tell them to log on & just read what people thing about them these days! Seems the almight dollar is more important than the people now.

No comparison! Embird wins, hands down!
User friendly, VERY reasonable price, least expensive (often free) upgrades of any software I have ever known and by far the BEST supported program I have ever known.

Plus you can find heaps of FREE or inexpensive tutorials and there are some fabulous Yahoo groups you can join to ask questions.

The ongoing R&D of the Balara's is an absolute pleasure to see in an industry where most developers want one of your arms just to use their software. They listen to suggestions from their end users and if those suggestions are an improvement, and can be implemented, then you will find the suggestion is a feature in the next version. They also listen to any little complaint users may have and act on resolving issues in double quick time.

I truly believe Embird is becoming (if not already) the Benchmark of embroidery software.

Just my honest opinion and probably not worth much to anyone but me.

Someone kick that soapbox out from under me, please. LOL!!!

hugs n roses, Meganne

2 comments

by marjialexa 05 Aug 2011

Not kicking your soapbox, just kicking you to the top, hee hee hee. M

by michemb 05 Aug 2011

Thank you for the advice. I may be wrong but embird seems to be the more popular software amongst Cuties, and I also wonder if the price of 5D is the issue. I just want to be sure that Embird can do everything 5D can.
Thanks again and have a great Friday,

I have 4D Software Extra, and found out when they introduce a new version, you get no more help on the older version. I had started with 3D and went up to 4D, I will not go higher with it. Sorry if I offended anyone, This is just my opinion. Hugs, Judy

2 comments

by marjialexa 05 Aug 2011

ttt

by michemb 05 Aug 2011

I agree that upgrading if complicted with Viking, I went from 4D to 5D organiser when I purchased my Ruby and spent several days and sent countless e-mails to rectify the problem. Another point in Embirds favors apparently they have a good supports system. Thank for your opinion, I appreciate it. Michelle

Have the 4D and the part I use the most is Organiser where I can view small pictures of embroideries 12 at a time.

1 comment

by michemb 02 Aug 2011

Yes I have the 5D organiser that came with my Ruby but I need something more
advanced that allows me to create my overloaded mind full of ideas. Will have to decide on something, thank you

I like the Viking software, but it is expensive. I would say go with the one you can get the most help with!!!! Does your dealer give you lessons with the 5D? How many lessons? I do know there are a lot of blogs out there for 5D users as my friend is a member of one. Good luck! Oh, doesn't Artistic Thread Works give online lessons on Embird?? Check their site out also.

3 comments

by michemb 02 Aug 2011

Yes my dealer gives lesson and I can get them privately at $30.00/hr. so I have that option that is interesting with
viking. So hard to decide because there is quite a price difference. Thanks for
your comments.

by marjialexa 05 Aug 2011

Oh, sorry, but when the software is that pricey, the lessons should be free! I purchased Janome's Digitizer Pro, and got free lessons practically for life! I really think about the Embird software for digitizing, so many seem to like and use it. Hugs, Marji

by iris2006 05 Aug 2011

I think it is a sh\ame to ask lessonpricesd for software that is so expensive, I think they have to offer free lessons when you buy that software.

I have the 4D Professional and absolutely love it. I also have the monogram fonts program. I understand the 5D does a few little extras than the 4D but not many. I believe the new portrait studio is good. Since I have never tried or experienced Embird I can not give you a comparison. To see what other Cuties say about Embird it is a great product. Guess you'll have to weigh the price and what you are wanting it to do. Good luck with your decision making and can't wait to hear what you decide!! Exciting getting something new!!

Allo Michèle
Moi aussi j'ai le 5D que j'adore mais je ne connais pas Embird. Je crois que ça vaut l'investissement.
Bonne journée

Allo Michèle
Moi aussi j'ai le 5D que j'adore mais je ne connais pas Embird. Je crois que ça vaut l'investissement.
Bonne journée

I have a Ruby and 5D from HUS and I love it, but I don´t know the Embird. The 5D is very nice software and I´m sill learning.
Cheers
Sigrún from Iceland.

3 comments

by michemb 02 Aug 2011

Which 5d do you have? There are several levels such as editor, creator etc. Is is
complicated to learn.
Thanks and have a nice day.

by sigrun 02 Aug 2011

5D Professinoal, the whole software, always knowing something new, interesting.
Nice day to you too.

by kbnothome 06 Jul 2013

His has online SOS training you can sign up and purchase. PDF and video and you can go back with your login and review and or downtown it . I think it is around 200-250 for one or maybe two years. I have tried the training and like it. I have both embird and 5d like them both. Learning curve and support for embird is quite good.