Hi TOM!
First things first... Welcome to the forum!!!
Now to get back to your question... The Synchrowave 350 does offer a lot of power but, it also asks for alot of power (KW) to run it when you compare it to an inverter type power source!!!
I would suggest you visit the Miller Electric website (although for some reason or another, I cannot seem to get to their site tonight for some reason or another) so that you can compare for yourself the amount of (KW's) each power source draws while both idle and when welding to see these, and other differences or similarities for that matter... The cost of operation differences alone are pretty convincing!!! There are other things to consider, but I think I'll leave that to another forum member named "brande" because he knows more about these, and other power sources than I do!!!
The Maxstar 200 models are some mighty fine inverters if you ask me, and they come with certain features that the synchrowaves simply do not offer!!! Not to say that the Synchrowave is'nt a nice SMAW/GTAW (Stick/TIG) power source, ohh no!!!
The Maxstar is a mghty fine power source when you need portability, the flexability (input voltage auto-sensing feature) to use more input voltages to run 115 to 460 vac without having to go inside the gut's to change the jumper links every time you bring the other machine with you to a different job site that has different primary voltages from the last site, and not go through the hassle of "schlepping" for an electrician or moving the humungous Synchrowave, then the Miller Maxstar 200dx is one way to go... However if you're looking for more power that's close enough to that of a Synchro 350, then the Miller Dynasty 300 is the way to go!!! This power source also is available with pulsing capabilities that in my opinion really blows any other comparable American made power source out there for the features, and price!!! Oh Yeah there are foreign made machines that many will say are better but, try getting the same reliability for the price, service, parts availability, and warranty that Miller offers!!! By the way, I'm not a salesman so - let's get that straight!!! I have seen alot of machines come and go in my time as a welder, equipment repairman, technologist, and instructor although, not as much as my friend "brande" has who is a regular here also!!!
Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Thermal Arc, and others do offer alternatives but,
as another forum member named "brande" states, (he's been servicing all major brands of welding power sources for over 25 years!!!) "None are as good or offer the same reliability as the Miller Dynasty"!!! He even has a Synchrowave which he rarely uses nowadays because in his opinion, does not get the same performance or arc characteristics with the synchro as he does with the Dynasty!!!
In a nutshell, Buy the Miller Dynasty... You'll be happy that you did!!!
If you do'nt believe me then, I'll leave it to "brande" to convince you if I have'nt done so already!!! You can't beat the flexability, and features!!!
You know, maybe I should try my hand at sales after all, I used to almost always bail out the sales department when I worked for this "Indy" distributor awhile back!!! Who knows, I may have found my true calling but, I do'nt know if I'm a suit person!!!
Respectfully,
SSBN727 Run Silent... Run Deep!!!