Product: Embroidery Machine Interchangeable Clamp System
Manufacturer: EMS HoopTech
Manufacturer’s Web Site: www.hooptechproducts.com
Date: January 23, 2006

PR600 owners everywhere have been clammering for larger clamping system windows from EMS HoopTech. The folks at HoopTech have listened. They recently introduced a new base unit (pictured above) for the PR600 with two much larger windows. The new window sizes are 11" x 5" and 8" x 5". Both windows are included with the base unit. They are not purchased separately.

I always knew HoopTech would have to design a new base unit in order to offer larger windows. There would be no possible way to offer larger windows with the older base unit. There simply isn't enough distance between the arms that hold the upper jaws. Larger windows require a wider base unit. If you want the larger windows you have no choice but to purchase the new base unit.

We have owned the original HoopTech Clamp System for nearly a year now. I don't know what I would do without it. I can honestly say it saves us a lot of time in much of the work we do. Would I like to have the larger windows? Sure I would, but the hefty price tag is more than I'm willing to pay.

When you compare the cost of the original unit to the new unit, it seems over priced. The cost for the original base unit with 3 different windows was less than $400.00. The new unit comes with only two windows and carries a retail price tag of $499.00. If you really have a need for the larger windows it may be worth the investment. But since I have adapted most of the designs we use on a daily basis to the original 6" x 5" window, I think we'll make due with what we've got for now.

Ron Bynum
R & M Crafts
www.cigarcityarts.com