Air Force 400 vs. Spectrum 375 X-TREME [Archive]

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TxBoy

02-28-2008, 09:01 PM

I was on the Miller site comparing the Spectrum 375 X-TREME with the Hobart Air Force 400 and noticed the major weight difference.

Spectrum X-TREME:18 lbs
Air Force 400: 55lbs

That's a huge difference in weight being they are pretty much the same machine as far as the specs go. The only thing, I didn't see the "pressure gauge" on the Spectrum 375 that the AF 400 has. Any thoughts on these two?

I think I'd get the Spectrum for the weight, two adapter plugs and case. What would y'all go for?

miweldmi

03-03-2008, 01:52 PM

I debated the same thing. See here (http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=29214).
The Spectrum 375 and the Airforce 400 are the more comparable units. Both are nearly identical and they are made by roughly the same company so they have pretty much the same parts. The Spectrum 375 X-Treme is a different animal. It is the newer version and appears (according to reviews and posts on different sites) to be reliable. The main difference between the 375 and the 375 X-Treme is the internal regulator. Not sure how much else of the internals is different but I would guess a lot since the weight is so different. I personally am going to get the 375 because weight is not an issue for me and I just see it as a more tried and true product. The X-Treme has been out 2 years and as the reps says they haven't had any problems with them. But who knows if that new internal regulator may just up and fail after 3, 4, 5 years etc. (although that is very unlike Miller). I don't think you will really go wrong with any of the 3.

txfireguy2003

03-03-2008, 02:21 PM

I debated the same thing. See here (http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=29214).
The X-Treme has been out 2 years and as the reps says they haven't had any problems with them. But who knows if that new internal regulator may just up and fail after 3, 4, 5 years etc. (although that is very unlike Miller). I don't think you will really go wrong with any of the 3.

I'm inclined to agree with your decision on this one. Not welding related, but you can't always go by what the rep says. A few years ago, I purchased a brand new handgun, Springfield XD, and the thing jammed about every 3rd round! What did the rep say? "That's odd, we haven't had any problems or complaints about this gun, and it's been on the market for a couple of years." I took that at face value, since they gladly fixed the problem, BUT after doing my own research, it seems that about 1/3 or more of the owners of that particular weapon had experienced the same problem I was having...company reps are just that, representatives, paid to make their product sound superior.

Zrexxer

03-03-2008, 02:41 PM

But who knows if that new internal regulator may just up and fail after 3, 4, 5 years etc. (although that is very unlike Miller).They all have an internal regulator. The Xtreme just doesn't have an adjustment knob sticking out for you to twiddle with, the pressure's set. Which probably means it would last longer, if anything...

hankj

03-03-2008, 06:10 PM

The 375-Xtreme is an inverter. It does run very sweet - I got to run one last weekend. I cut a .250" piece of aluminum with it, and it was as clean as a knife cut!

I know I'm gonna get me one, 'cept Wyoming wants a finders fee.....

Hank

Some Creep

03-03-2008, 06:24 PM