Looking to buy a TIG - HELP!

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Well I’m in the market for a TIG for the shop.. My budget is around $2000.00.. Looking for any suggestions on a few of my choices listed below.. The other thing I was thinking about is buying what I need to TIG aluminum with my TrailBlazer 301. If anyone can point me in the right direction for that it may be a better choice for me.  My choices are:1)Miller Econtig2)Miller Diversion 1653)Lincoln Precision TIG 225I was interested in checking out an Everlast from Alex and considered buying it but had a few issues with him.. I contacted him after I seen a post from him offering another member (don’t remember off the top of my head) to test out one of the new series TIG machines he was going to start selling.. Said he just wanted a fair review on the machine after he tried it out.. So I emailed Axle and told him I was really interested in the new line of machines he was going to have and if he was willing to send me one to try out and in return I would give him a fair review of the machine. I also offered to buy the machine of I liked it and offered to give him my credit card number to hold so he didn’t think I was going to rip him off. He called me that night we were emailing back and forth and AGREED to do just that, said to send him my shipping info and he would send the machine out first thing Monday morning (keep in mind this was 2 weeks ago). I sent him all the info he had asked for on Monday morning as he asked and emailed me promptly to remind me first thing in the am. Not but 10 minutes later he emails me back saying my credit card was declined for the $1000.00!! I got pretty pissed off and wrote him back and asked why he was trying to charge my card? He claims he forgot that he was going to only hold the number and only charge it if I decided to keep the machine or go running off with it.. Needless to say he went back on his word and refused to send me the machine.. It was an obvious bait and switch gimmick that I feel for.. We argued back and forth about the conversation we had just 2 days before..  Anyway I would never blindly buy a non-name brand machine of that expense without trying it out from a buddy or something that Alex and I spoke about.  Nor will I ever buy anything thing from him or even consider it now knowing that’s the kind of person he is.This post is not meant to slam him; I’m just looking for a TIG and want info from other users before I shell out a few thousand dollars! I just wanted to share the unpleasant experience I had with Everlast before I even bought anything from them.JasonMiller 252Miller 250Miller Syncrowave 250Esab Plasma Powercut 1250HF Basic oxy/act torches
Reply:I don't want to get involved in any discussion about the Everlast  issue.I will say that I'm very happy with my Thermal Arc ArcMaster 185 ACDC.   I have seen deals on them where you can get the whole package with torch, foot pedal, cables, etc for about $2000.   The little machine does a great job and uses very little electricity to run it and takes up very little space in the shop.  It has a great arc too.   Of the other members here who have them, they all have great things to say about them too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I would suggest the Miller Diversion 165, because it's portable (50 some lbs), and it's low end is 10 amps. The Econotig starts at 20 amps in AC low(30 in DC low) and max's out at 165. The Diversion max's at 165 also. MSRP-$1600.00. Depends on what you're gonna do!!------------------John
Reply:save some more money and get the dynasty 200 dxinstead of buying some thing else now and selling aused machine and taking a loss
Reply:I think my TA 185's current range is 5 amps to 185 amps.   I have successfully tig'd the edges of razor blades together with it, for fun, just to see if it could be done.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Does anyone have any input on running a TIG of the TrailBlazer and whats required?Thanks for all the input.JasonMiller 252Miller 250Miller Syncrowave 250Esab Plasma Powercut 1250HF Basic oxy/act torches
Reply:I don't know about the 301, but the 302 can run a tig torch and foot pedal (or hand control) straight from the machine with the lift-start feature, according to Miller, if all you want to use is DC.   If you want to use AC, you'll need the HF 251 D1 freq box.  It costs about $1000 if I remember right.  I have seen them used for $250 to $500.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op