I also have both, Viking at work "pipe fitter". Elite at home for garage fab, head gear on the elite is more comfy, But I hate having to turn it on. The Viking window seems a little narrower but a little taller. Kind of a toss up I guess. If they were the same price I'd go with the elite.
It shoudnt be tougher to get goin or get the hang of it, But it will be a lot diffrent then the smaller 180-250volt garage machines. The industrial machines rely on spray tranfser, and with .045 wire your travel speed will be signifagantly faster.