What type of welding do you do? Heres the run down of my vantage 300
CV Mode: A+ welds all day great couldn't ask for anything better
CC Mode: C+ Has a very crisp start...or hot start(I Don't use this mode much)
Downhill pipe: A- 9out of 10 if I'm stick welding this is where it's at.
Never have used Tig mode....
These machines have the power to weld and grind...run your house,house next door and weld..LOL
The only thing I have to complain that it will not stick weld like the SA 200 or aleast for me.
I wish it had a way to over lap the ranges etc. The Chopper mode is a joke!!!I can't see any difference in any setting!!!CC or Downhill. I weld with 2 guys that have Vantage 400's and they are the same way.Another guy has one of the older Commander 300's with the over lapping ranges....Best welder I have ever used!!!!It's beat up...over 6000hrs and welds better than my $10,000 vantage...LOL
Just my 2 cents