Andrew, it was a 299 DO NOT BUY IT! That machine was broken down about 95 percent of the year we owned it. It could not join more than a couple of frames without needing some new part or another.
I even had Cassise headquarters in France call me regarding that joke of a machine. I had repair technicians from Active Sales come in and work on it, never did any good. It would join a few frames, then break down again.
My employee would not even bother with it, she just went to the old 810. I asked her why, and she said she did not have the time to try and join a frame, call Active Sales to get a new part, etc. She said it was a lot simpler and faster just to use the 810.
The 299 has been gone for over a year now, the old 810 is still cranking. I am being totally honest when I said I would not waste my money paying the shipping charges to get a Cassise 299 for free.
What machine would I recommend? Your old 810 for starters, but be sure to put an oiler on it. When my 810 does finally give up on me, I do know one thing for sure, it will not be replaced by a newer model Cassise, been there, done that, what a waste.
John