Buying Gear CDJ850 or XDJ1000 advice please..

Of those two models, the 1000s will give you a much better feature set to work with. But if you have the budget to buy two of those and a mixer there are *many* far better investments you can make that will give you similar results and leave you with cash to spare.

Is there a reason you are opting for outdated technology (mainly the 850s and DJM) rather than a modern controller?

Honestly, rather than the 850s or 1000s and a DJM you would probably do better to look at something like the SX2 or SZ. Similar workflow, and a lot of advantages through extra features via the software. All of these units are high end or pro gear and feature the same levels of quality.

…BUT…

And this is the key thing to consider – all of these would be WAY overboard for someone just starting out. If you’re just getting your feet wet in this whole DJ thing don’t do it by throwing around a bunch of cash — spend wisely and learn the craft first before you start getting into the pro gear. If you know what you’re doing, skills will easily translate between various types of gear. But if you don’t know what you’re doing no amount of money and expensive gear will help.

I honestly would never consider taking out a loan for DJing, it’s just too turbulent in terms of income… there are times where I’m playin’ multiple times a week, then there are stretches where I haven’t played in over a month.

My 2 cents: I believe if youre looking at getting a loan, then youve explored your options and like you admitted, its between the two. And so, the BEST advice, is play on them both, go to a place that sells them and test em out. Thats the only way to know which will be best for you.
And getting a loan is NOT a dumb idea. Who cares if there are months you dont work. The point of having GOOD at home equipment isnt to pass the time between shows, the point is to better yourself in the best way possible and become the type of DJ that will not have months off because theyve perfected their skills more.
DJ equipment,unless youre actually just a hobbyist, is an investment in your career future and such…
Its like school books. You may not be a doctor yet, and getting paid to do operations, but the book is needed to learn and become better. So get your “book” and get better, and one day that investment will bring a return that will have made the loan and the interest worth it.
Also, there are “credit” type businesses that give credit without interest. Like American Musical. I bought my Sx2 via American Musical. Much easier to pay monthly than drop the full amount. Even though i had the money, with no interest that allowed me to buy even more new things and such. So i’d look into that before looking into a bank loan. (and there are a few ‘no credit needed’ types of equipment purchase companies)

Good luck!
-DB

No need to apologize – you aren’t the first person I’ve misunderstood and you certainly won’t be the last! Happens all the time. 🙂

One more wrinkle to add to your thought process on this – if you are seriously looking at renting them out as a source of income, you pretty much need to be looking at 2000s. The reason is simple – that’s what would be on the tech riders of travelling DJs looking to rent out decks. If you’re looking to rent, you’re going to rent the best – not the lower models. So on top of my previous caution about renting out your gear, if you do settle on one of the models you are looking at, you may find there isn’t much of a rental market for them.

Now, with all of that being said, I still stick with what I said originally – XDJ 1000 over the CDJ 850. Better features – more future proof so your investment will last longer. It’s still not really a route I would recommend (I disagree strongly with you that controllers are toys for producers only), but based on what you’re looking at that would be your better investment.

Good luck!

That thing is sexy.