Passport Plus weld quality that much better than millermatic 211?

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I am debating between the two machines, I don't need the portability all the time, but really wouldn't mind the more compact machine in the shop as well and can use an external bottle when its home.   My concern is the difference between 1000 and 1600, but would like to make one purchase and like the fact its an inverter machine, but the real question is are the welds significantly better quality?  The portabilitty seems perfect but I am wondering if the machine is really much better.  thank you for the advice with this
Reply:To me I don't see a difference in the output of the two machines.I choose the Passport, kind of like the three rules to flying:1 you cant use the fuel back in the hanger.2 you cant use the sky above you.3 you cant use the runway behind you. So you cant use the portable welder if you bought the shop welder... lol Both good machines.
Reply:I don't know about the 211, but my passport welds smoother than my millermatic 250.  You just don't have the upper level power with the passport.  Had mine about a year and use it  more than the MM250 and the syncro 200.
Reply:I haven't used a 211 so keep that in mind. I have had a Passport for a few years now and it has been a fine machine. I use it in the shop for about 90 percent of my welding but I also have a Power Mig MP350 for anything heavy. I only have to take it with me out of the shop about once or twice a year so with that in mind I probably would get the 211. If I would be loading it in my truck more regularly i would get the Passport. How important portability is would be my deciding factor.Ken
Reply:I have 2 passports since I do a lot of portability. I ran into this debate myself of the 211 vs passport a while ago and I am glad of my decision. I used a 211 in a demo and found it was nice and I figured the $600 was just to reduce weight, but it isn't. I also have a lot of small CO2 bottles from playing paintball and I am going to see if I can paint some purple and get them charged with a Tri mix.
Reply:I have had a Passport since they first came out. It is not the Plus model but I have found it to be a reliable machine. I have even ran aluminum with it using a straight neck bernard gun as the spool gun won't work on it. The factory tech rep put me on to that when I called to find out if the Plus spool gun could be adapted to my older model. You need the plastic liner that goes with the gun as well. Good luck.Sailwelder250 Idealarc,Miller passport100 A stick/tig, hypertherm 380Woodhouse/Mitchell 14X45 latheCraftex  Mill/drillKing 4X6 band saw,DoAll band saw Grizzly drill press , Craftex radial drillCarolina 50 T press, O/AEverlast 200 DX
Reply:Originally Posted by Country MetalsI also have a lot of small CO2 bottles from playing paintball and I am going to see if I can paint some purple and get them charged with a Tri mix.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VNo, no, no! The paintball cylinders are meant for CO2, a gas that liquifies under a low pressure of I think of about 400 psi.  Argon, C25 or Trimix contain argon or oxygen, etc. - those gases don't liquify easily and remain as gases under the cylinder pressure of 2,500 to 3,500 psi.You can't put 3,000 psi gas in a paintball CO2 cylinder designed to hold about 400 psi.Yikes!  That's Kaboom with a captial 'K'!
Reply:You would do better just getting a 20 or 40CF tank of tri mix.  I have 40CF tanks for mobile use and there are easy to lift and carry.  the 20CF would be about the same height as the Passport.   weigh about the same as a 20lb propane tankTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I have  a Passport Plus, I had the Passport. I have used both with CO2 and Tri-Mix and 75/25 Point is they both run ER70s-6 BETTER with CO2 than with any other gas mix. Way better. You do not need mix gas with the Passport. (Steel)
Reply:Paintball bottles get filled with liquid CO2, and that is why you need a dip tube installed in the main filling tank. I believe that the tanks get filled to almost 2,000. The new compressed air tanks (carbon fiber) go larger. I talked with my supplier and he said I would need to fill like 50 bottles at a time for it to be worth it for them for tri-mix. So now I just have to stick with my 80# for on the go.
Reply:I have both and I really like the Passport much better but not sure about the $600.00 difference in price tag.They both take up about the same space sitting on a cart that holds a bottle.I just started using CO2 with the 211 because I ran out of C25 and only had CO2 as a back up. Burns just fine with CO2 and I will continue to use CO2 and take my small bottle of C25 to my shop and have a back up for the 252.The Passport wins hands down on Portability- the 211 ain't that light and I have moved it a couple timesIf you have to have the 120v then either machine, but I would look at the Thermal Arc Fabricator 181 since it offers MIG, Stick and DC tig ( no 120v though)850.00 for the Mig and Stick110.00 for a tig torchEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge