Mark,
Yes you can stick weld with the 205, AND it has arc force control for stick welding.
No you can't weld stick with the 211, it's just a transformer machine with limited features.
I try to let our Everlast customers share their experiences and wisdom and be here to answer finer points. Ultimately, it is up to the customer to make up his mind. The happiest customer is the one who weighs it out and makes up his mind on his own, and is convinced by his own thoughts and study.
As far as selling you ON a machine, though some smooth talker in a local dealership might, I realize that pressuring people into buying something on the spot is not a good approach. (Most, although they carry multiple brands will favorably pitch ONE brand consistently because they are trying to "win" a sales contest and get a free trip or a kickback at the end of the year...so they like to hard sell you even making you "scared" of other brands by citing a horror experience they know of etc...).
I don't like to push people, and try to sell to people the way I'd want to be sold to. I am here to facilitate the sale and answer questions people have about the product and compare items if called upon.
But if you want more information, I'll be glad to provide.
The 205 is a quality machine, one of our best MIGs and best welders overall. It uses a convenient quick connect gun (try changing or swapping guns on a Miller or Lincoln...) that is used by ESAB and others. Quite easy to hook up. Polarity change is quick with no nuts or screws to swap cables inside the unit. Just change the front plug from one connector to the other and twist. We use a heavier wire feed system than the 211. The 205 will hold a full size roll of wire. It also features digital displays so you always know what your setting is at, and there are no taps, so you have infinite control of both voltage and wire speed. It features stock drive rolls that will handle from .030 to .045 wire.
Gun is a well made gun, with a very comfortable, smooth feel.
If you have any questions that I haven't answered, please, ask.
I