Bobcat vs trailblazer

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As I mentioned in another thread, I'm looking for a welder/generator. I have come across a bobcat for the asking price of 1500 bucks in like new condition. I also came across a trailblazer for 1800 asking price. For those of you with the experience on both machines, how does the welding performance differ from CV to CC as far as stick welding is concerned.I use a generator to run my HTP2400 mig welder, tig welder and plasma cutter with no noticeable issues. The welding generator has more output power for my purpose which is a big plus.JimJim,I don't mean to be argumentative and cantankerous,but I am getting older and a bit crotchety!Addendum; AND CRANKY
Reply:They both have CC Jim. I think they should both have cv as well the cv comes into play if you are using a "suitcase" type wire feeder
Reply:Bobcat is single phase rectified weld output, A TB is 3 phase rectified weld output. Much smoother to run any rod with.
Reply:Better options with the TB.
Reply:Well I apologize for my ignorance. I was under the impression that the bobcat was CV only. In fact the guy who was trying to sell me his Miller aead  told that the bobcat was cv only. I should have done the google work first.That being said, I see a lot of bobcats on service trucks. That would lead me to believe that their weld quality is pretty good. As evolution changes things, is there one version that is recommended over another? I just can't drop the coin for a new machine right now so this has to be the right welder.JimJim,I don't mean to be argumentative and cantankerous,but I am getting older and a bit crotchety!Addendum; AND CRANKY
Reply:Trailblazer, hands down.I've owned four of them. Used a couple Bobcats, they're nothing special in my opinion. One thing you're going to get with the TB that the bobcat won't have is the ability to run a remote off of it that can power TIG starter boxes, foot controls, wire feeders, hand pendants, etc. The TB also generates auxiliary AC power independently of the welding output, so a variety of things can be run from the machine at the same time as you are welding. With the Bobcat, full 115/240 aux power can only be used by turning the fine current control to 100%. This is not always going to be conducive to user friendly operation if you're at the low end of the fine adjustment, then have to turn it up in order to get acceptable power to run a grinder, etc.As was mentioned, the TB produces a four pole, three phase welding arc, and my experience with them is a far better performance than the Bobcat. The TB usually commands a much higher price than a Bobcat, so for what you're looking at spending, that not bad all things considered. Early model Trailblazers do not generate as much aux power as the Bobcats do in some cases, but the later model machines (such as 280NT and newer) are up around 8K + AC output.Trailblazers hold better resale value too. It would be my choice anyways.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:If your set on a Miller, get a TB.....I hate bobcats.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:The AEAD 200 le for a grand is starting to look pretty good. Im just in a position right now where I need to be a little more frugal than usual. The machine will pay for itself and I can upgrade later with what I want not just what I can afford. Thanks guys.JimJim,I don't mean to be argumentative and cantankerous,but I am getting older and a bit crotchety!Addendum; AND CRANKY
Reply:Are you sure he didn't say DC only...The newer bobcats and trailblazers have NO AC welding capabilityBut both have CC and CV the bobcat lacks the 14 pin plug for use with different accessoriesBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Depends on what you need. I prefer an SA over a trailblazer for stick any day...but if you need serious, DEDICATED aux power and/or CC/CV, the TB is the ****.I love the TB, but I don't love the $1000 motherboard replacement and the high revving engine (lifespan and noise). If I don't need to run a spoolgun or suitcase feeder, the 200 is king, especially when a used SA and a small genny can be had at a fraction of the cost of a TB
Reply:Trailblazer hands down!! I've used Bobcats and there's no comparison! The reason you see so many Bobcats on service trucks (mostly mechanic's service trucks around here) is that they primarily use them for the generator and also can weld when need be, and they're cheap.-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:My brother has a bobcat but he is retired so he just piddles now but he's happy with it...smaw doing repairs and light fab workMe not retired and won't be for awhile real happy with my setup ...Does everything i ask it to do and sometimes i ask a lot of itBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I love my TB for all the same reasons as above.  Here's something maybe the 250 Bobcat owners don't know: If you take a 240 plug and run a 120 receptacle on each leg you by pass the rheostat and you can grind without putting the rheostat on 100. Now that said, does it work on all Bobcats they've made thou the years I don't know. The three I've tried it on it did. I don't think it works on 225.
Reply:I use a bobcat 250 at work and I own an 09 302 TB...absolutely no comparison in how it welds, tb hands downMiller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:A Bobcat is a generator that can weld, Trailblazer a welder that can generate. If you already have electric powered welders, maybe all you need is a generator? FWIW, I have a Hobart Champion 10000, which is a mediocre welder, but a good generator. I use a Miller XMT 304 CC/CV, suitcase 12 rc, LN 25, Powermax plasma cutter and a Maxstar 200 for TIG that will run of the generator. Maybe you need a Trailblazer so you can leave your other welders at the shop?Miller Dynasty 350Miller XMT 304
Reply:I have worked side by side with my Bobcat, and Howard using his Trailblazer. His welds are better than mine. Three phase is a valuable feature. Trailblazer is a two generator on the same shaft design, 120/240 V AC for tools is independent of the welder. In so many ways, it's a better machine.Be careful there is an older machine called a Trailblazer, it is very different.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:The bobcat from about 5-10 years ago put out 8K. The new ones put out 10K as does the trailblazer. You need 10K to run most shop welders or plasma machines. I have both and the 8K bobcat won't run my econotig or hypertherm. For welding alone the Trailblazer is better but it does not have CC AC so you have to use aux power to run aluminum TIG on a shop machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartThe bobcat from about 5-10 years ago put out 8K. The new ones put out 10K as does the trailblazer. You need 10K to run most shop welders or plasma machines. I have both and the 8K bobcat won't run my econotig or hypertherm. For welding alone the Trailblazer is better but it does not have CC AC so you have to use aux power to run aluminum TIG on a shop machine.
Reply:My tb302 efi is great, ac and dc, cc and cv, 12kva without welding, 10.5kva while welding.  Arc is great, very smooth.  Easy to setup with a hf box or foot pedal by itself. Only downside is that it's loud, but you'd have that with the bobcat as well.  As stated before the reason you see many Bobcats on service trucks is because of the lower price and the fact that they're rarely used for welding.  If I had to buy a new gen welder, I'd buy a TB 302 airpak so I would still have all the same capabilities... and that's a 15000 dollar machine.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Originally Posted by wintermuteMy tb302 efi is great, ac and dc, cc and cv, 12kva without welding, 10.5kva while welding.  Arc is great, very smooth.  Easy to setup with a hf box or foot pedal by itself. Only downside is that it's loud, but you'd have that with the bobcat as well.  As stated before the reason you see many Bobcats on service trucks is because of the lower price and the fact that they're rarely used for welding.  If I had to buy a new gen welder, I'd buy a TB 302 airpak so I would still have all the same capabilities... and that's a 15000 dollar machine.--Wintermute
Reply:Bought mine in 2010 was only 7k and i barked about that...the price has doubled since tier 4 efi but they are way more fuel efficient and they removed AC welding...Not smartbecause that screws doing aluminum TIG even with a 251-D box...I don't have one of those yet but heavy equipment has so little aluminum But you cannot beat having the entire package in one machine with the screw compressor it's only 1 ft longerBut a separate compressor would take up more space and it would be pistons so would never keep up  on air productionI never have to wait for air no matter what i'm using 1/2 and 3/4 impacts. air chisels ,needle scaler,die  grinders, air drills,PM-45 plasma cutter or the K-4000 Arcair 17 to 28 CFM adjustable  at 130 PSI ...No tank...i do run dual filters I heard that lincoln made/was making a similar machine but was  a failure ..but that is just what i heard..Never seen oneMiller does make a bigger version of this but now your talking 35 K and more dependingWould not trade mine for anything else currently madeBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I have owned a bobcat and currently own a trailblazer. No comparison between the two in my opinion. As others have said the TB is a much better welder. The reason you see so many Bobcats on service trucks is they are cheap and most service trucks are not welding trucks. They need portable power and weld on a limited basis. Don't get me wrong Bobcats are not junk they weld ok and last but they do not weld as nice as a trailblazer. For $300 I would not think twice about a TB.
Reply:"I'm looking for a welder/generator." For what purpose? If you need portable how are you going to transport the unit? With a little more information we could be a lot more help. The reason you see a lot of Bobcats on service trucks isn't because they are great machines its because they are inexpensive but do an ok job for a service truck, they are small and will work on a 1/2 ton truck and tow easily. You don;t see them on a serious welding truck. I'm not running them down as they obviously have a place in the market or you wouldn't see them as often as you do. Just think you should get what you need the first time and not have to buy twice. Your comment about cc / cv leads me to believe you might need some more advice before you spend. Again, not trying to bust your chops just trying to save you a buck in the long run. Good luck shopping.