[7A749]

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 course