nothing on the 400 , but i do own a vantage 500,,,,,,,best machine i've ever had,,,,,,,and where i work,,,,nothing but miller.......lots of problems.......

we also have a few SA 200's...........ask me...??????......"a proven great machine"........

my friend has a 400,,,,,,,,3years now,,,,,,,never said anything to me,,,,,,and if there were,,,,,he would.............as i was the one who talked him into it.......

Hello group.
Having 28 years non stop in the Pipe and structural trade I feel I  can give an honest answer to this question. I have a Vantage 400 and have to say so far It is as described.  Welds smooth with lo hi.  Also have a sa-250 that I bought new in 1986 and have burned 2000# plus of lo hi and 5p+with it. I custom installed a Bendix 4 cylinder 26 cfm compressor ( runs off the Perkins )and a cv adaptor on it as well.  Have owned and used all machines required for all processes and would choose the sa 200 or 250 ( or for that matter any pure dc generator) for any pipe work over any other machine. As for the vantage one feature that i like is the 36 volts @ 400 amps that you get with it.  When running long lead it is particularly helpful knowing your going to drop  voltage with undersized or long lengths of lead. Suit case welding FCAW is superior with the SA machines as well as the Vantage. I run several 240 volt 3 phase benders and rollers in the field and that is why I chose the Vantage.  I had originally bought the Vantage 300 but begged my supplier to return it because the power of the Dueitz engine was not ample enough for the 7000 foot elevation that I work at. In all fairness I did have the Vantage 300 load tested with 2.2 hours on the hour meter and it was able to load test at 300 amps but pulled the motor down to the point of bogging.  I have to thank Lincoln for allowing me to return it at my expense and upgrade to the 400. The 400 has ample reserve power even at 7000 foot elevation.  Easy to strike a lo hi  arc and the arc control feature is a must. Vertical up is controllable and very sensitive to the arc control nob. My preference for 1\8'' is amps @ 110 arc force at +2.0 to +2.5  With the sa machines I get some arc blow at the finishing end of the rod while the Vantage is almost non existent. My shop mostly uses the Vantage for Structural steel with 232 wire.  Good machine, good on weight, wish it was a few inches less in height, but all in all a good machine.  I know you all don't know me but Like every other professional weldor in the trade its easy to stick with what works  ( sa-Machines )and this Vantage machine is not one to disappoint. If asked this question " If you were given only one welding machine and one plasma machine which ones would they be ?) I would have to say The Vantage air 500 and the Hypertherm 1650.  Its up to the weldor and his ability as to be able to use any welding machine to they ability. I've got mine. PS I'm not brand loyal but I am what works loyal.  Don  www.cvweld.com