Talk me out of a PowerTig 200DX

[SoFlaZ06]

I'm having a toss up between the 185 and the 200, yes I know, they have been threads about this, i read them .
my toss up is, i'll be new to welding. my budget allows me to get a dual voltage 185 which is very convenient. I can sacrifice and get the 200DX by sacrificing the dual voltage feature and just get the 240v model. I'm probably never go over 1/4" since my goal is just auto fabrication, stainless and aluminum piping etc.
The 200DX has the pulse feature, which I don't know if i'll use or have to.
So to those who had this toss up, which would you choose. I guess this comes down to convenience of dual voltage vs Pulse feature that i may not use.
is there anything the 185 is possibly better at welding wise. I'll also have to get a pedal for the 185, so that more $$

[cbmkr]

I have owned both machines, upgraded to the 200DX for the extra options and pulse. The 2013 185 is priced on Ebay $1020 with free pedal , no stick holder . The 200DX 2012 model with pulse on Amazon $1026.00 pedal, torch , stick holder ground cable ect.

Your choice .

Mark might know the difference in machine options.

[Rambozo]

I have owned both machines, upgraded to the 200DX for the extra options and pulse. The 2013 185 is priced on Ebay $1020 with free pedal , no stick holder . The 200DX 2012 model with pulse on Amazon $1026.00 pedal, torch , stick holder ground cable ect.

Your choice .

Mark might know the difference in machine options.

With Amazon you can't always go by the picture. They may be 2012 or 2013 models as they are really bad about changing the pictures.

[zoama]

I'd go with the 200dx, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[sportbike]

Do you have 30 amp 240v accessible where you will be using the welder?

Welding 1/4" with the 185 will be really pushing it.

I have a 2 year old 200dx and use it for pretty much what you are intending to use it for.
I am also heavily looking at a 185 to put in my trailer to have on hand at the track for those "oh ####, if only I had a welder I wouldn;t have to load up and go home" times.

[SoFlaZ06]

thanks for the input, yes I have access to 240v in my garage. The amperage part i'm not sure of, it's the plug for my dryer.

[Rambozo]

thanks for the input, yes I have access to 240v in my garage. The amperage part i'm not sure of, it's the plug for my dryer.

Dryer plugs are typically 30 amps.

[sportbike]

thanks for the input, yes I have access to 240v in my garage. The amperage part i'm not sure of, it's the plug for my dryer.

You shoudl be good to go with a 200dx. I use mine with a 100+ ft 10awg extension cord from a 240V dryer outlet.

[Rivets]

I'm having a toss up between the 185 and the 200, yes I know, they have been threads about this, i read them .
my toss up is, i'll be new to welding. my budget allows me to get a dual voltage 185 which is very convenient. I can sacrifice and get the 200DX by sacrificing the dual voltage feature and just get the 240v model. I'm probably never go over 1/4" since my goal is just auto fabrication, stainless and aluminum piping etc.
The 200DX has the pulse feature, which I don't know if i'll use or have to.
So to those who had this toss up, which would you choose. I guess this comes down to convenience of dual voltage vs Pulse feature that i may not use.
is there anything the 185 is possibly better at welding wise. I'll also have to get a pedal for the 185, so that more $$

You don't have to sacrifice the dual voltage. The Canadians sell the 200DX-D. CAD $1300.

http://www.everlastwelders.ca/tig-we...g-200-dx-d.php

rivets

[Rectified]

I'd go with the 200dx, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I agree with zoama. I had a Hobart mig welder, then a Hobart 165i, out grew them both in a few projects, went for the pp256. I haven't been above 150 on this machine yet, but I have a 1/4 aluminum project coming up and ill make some money on it, Im happy not to be turning it away.

[rake]

Hey guys, I just bought a new 200DX and to me it's a clone of the Miller Dynasty performance-wise. I love this thing!

[performance]

No, not a clone. I think the arc is actually better than the 200 Dynasty...and the duty cycle doesn't begin to compare.

The prices you are quoting sounds high I think. Give me a call, and I can work on a better price for you.

[Trip59]

Pulse... one of those things you'll almost never use, until it makes a job so much easier. I was patching a Y pipe for a Peterbilt exhaust last night. Old one had rusted through in a number of spots, owner had to be back on the road today, new part was several hundred bucks and at least a day or two out. Cleaned for near 2 hours, and still wasn't happy with it, but it had to be done. Laid in some patches, got them fit up and tacked the hell out of them. Everything was going ok till I hit the thinnest area, rusted from 16ga probably down to half that. Holes liked to appear from what seemed like solid metal and I got weary of chasing them. Bring in the pulse. Set it to 3's, made it through the worst area with relative ease.

That's the second or third time I've used it since last summer when I got my 200DX and it was worth every minute of waiting for that model and every penny I spent on that feature. I know it saved me at least 2-3 dozen four letter words last night

[piopio]

No, not a clone. I think the arc is actually better than the 200 Dynasty...and the duty cycle doesn't begin to compare.

The prices you are quoting sounds high I think. Give me a call, and I can work on a better price for you.

why did you call it a 200DX?

[performance]

We had the 250EX and a 200 lx before we had the 200 DX. Truth be known, we took a cue from the auto industry. DX is the base model with the lx the better and the EX the top of the line. The 200 DX was coincidental more than anything. I guess we're responsible for Longevity copying our nomenclature (but not understanding what it means). The "T" is added to any TIG product to denote digital. So if we were to bring out a digital 200dx, it would be a 200 dxt.

[rake]

The only thing I'd change on mine is the plastic shield over the controls.
It would be much better IMHO if it opened down instead of up. Or, if you
could just remove it all together!

[Rambozo]

Or, if you
could just remove it all together!

Anything installed can always be removed.

[performance]

The shield is designed to protect the front panel from spark damage, and from dirt and debris. It also helps to ward off any water. The shield in fact was a much requested item. It's NOT going anywhere anytime soon after we spent so much effort on it. It does snap off though.

[zoama]

The shield is designed to protect the front panel from spark damage, and from dirt and debris. It also helps to ward off any water. The shield in fact was a much requested item. It's NOT going anywhere anytime soon after we spent so much effort on it. It does snap off though.

How was longevity able to copy it so quickly ? I thought there were measures in place to stop this.

[Rambozo]

The shield is designed to protect the front panel from spark damage, and from dirt and debris. It also helps to ward off any water. The shield in fact was a much requested item. It's NOT going anywhere anytime soon after we spent so much effort on it. It does snap off though.

And of course it keeps the knobs from being bumped off setting, once you have it all dialed in.