I really enjoy using the 161s. I do part time work for an organization that has been using several of Millers 150s machines for several years now. We weld literally tons of 1/4 and 3/8 inch steel together for our projects. We operate the 150s machines with Generac 8 KW generators in very remote locations.
We can weld with 1/8 inch 6011 all day long. Many times we weld for long periods of time just as fast as we can burn a rod and replace it with a fresh one. The 150s machines never fail, and are tough as nails.
I decided I wanted one for my own personal use. But when I looked, I could find almost no new 150s machines for sale on the net. So it seems to me that the 161s must have replaced the 150s machine???
Anyway I decided to order the 161s for my own personal use. So far I haven't put the 161s through the abuse our organizations 150s machines have been through. But the 161s seems to be every bit as good as the 150s machine and perhaps even better. However, see the pros and cons below.