People keep saying to find a flute that feels right for you.

There really is a lot more to it than that. A flute SHOULD be, and NEEDS to be, an item of precision engineering, but many are not. If you get one that `feels` and `sounds` right, but gives a whole heap of trouble in years to come because of the substandard engineering, then it is not a wise choice.

So I suggest taking SOME heed of technicians who are working on these things every day and who have no alliance to anybody SELLING any particular brand.

comments from such people are far more valuable than the ravings of a relatively novice player who has a particular brand, and has more than likely not even played more than one or two others, if that.

Comments from teachers who have been teaching for some time, and experienced the patterns of repercussions of various brands, are also valuable.

Perhaps I should add, that the `feels and sounds` right are still good criteria for EXPERIENCED players, choosing between PROFESSIONAL grade flutes, which pretty well all have excellent engineering unless they are cheapies from Ebay, and the Ebay equivalent that shops are now selling. Also, be just a little wary still of top brand name "professional" models which are made in Taiwan and China.