Slow welding helmet response time

[mopacman]

I have a jackson helmet that has three settings. The time delay keeps it dark until the weld cools down so it wont be as bright. It has a sensitivity setting that makes it go dark with little light change. and a shade setting. It still gives protection when it goes light so I have a hard time seeing when it is dark around where I am welding.....Larry

 

[Lefty_Kubota]

In my opinion--get a known good helmet. Your eyes are too valuable to risk.

EXACTLY

 

[Taylortractornut]

There was a case study one time about this when the first name brand helmets came out that there was a 1/ 1000 th of a second the eyes were exposed to the flash. That caused minor irritation. They quickly corrected this. I just got my old wire welder out and tried a friends HF helmet and it gave me a good case of gravel eyes. I forgot what the coldness does to them but all the cheapies Ive seen get terribly slow when it gets cold.

 

[sandman2234]

I wonder if this might be a good place for everyone that has a good welding hood to actually name the manufacturer, so that the rest don't have to play trial and error games?
I have never purchased one of the automatic hoods, but own several, as my sister works for a major supplier of safety wear. I get welding stuff for birthdays and Christmas and whenever else I can talk her out of it,lol. Some of you guys might have some of their stuff, AO (American Optical)
We also have Jackson stuff listed by another poster, so who else makes the good stuff?
David from jax

 

[escavader]

Ive pretty well retired my hf auto darkening helmet.Have a heck of a time seeing my welding at night.I switched to a conventional helmet again[lincoln]with a large window.Inodd of the head it flips down in front of my face and im off to the races.Sometimes its nice just to go back to basics,and not deal with all the gismos
ALAN

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I use a Speedglass 9000X. It is one of the higher priced helmets. But,you get what you pay for. I do a lot of tig welding and on thin material with low amps it still darkens instantly and doesn't flash on and off like the cheap helmets. I do have a older Jackson,non auto darkning, I keep in my service truck . It works fine for stick welding.
Bill

 

[Dargo]

I wonder if this might be a good place for everyone that has a good welding hood to actually name the manufacturer, so that the rest don't have to play trial and error games?

Uh, I got my post deleted and reprimanded the last time I suggested a brand name product. I was told that doing so was "advertising", and that is not allowed here. There are several very good quality brands available. I really like the one I bought, but I'm confident that I would have been just as happy with most any of the other reputable brands. I think the top end most expensive ones are around $250, but it doesn't take that much to get a really good quality AD hood. As I said earlier, I can't see (no pun intended) risking your eyesight just to save a hundred bucks. I figure that if you can't afford to protect your eyes properly, you can't afford to weld. I did just fine with the regular old hoods for years. They don't cost too much and you're not risking your eyesight with them. Still, I sure do like that fancy auto-darkening hood though.

 

[Scooby074]

I wonder if this might be a good place for everyone that has a good welding hood to actually name the manufacturer, so that the rest don't have to play trial and error games?

David from jax

Heres my helmet. Its a Miller Big Window Elite. I had it a couple years now.Its been very good. I like the large viewing area. You'll notice it lacks the Orange County Choppers Approved graphics

 

[sandman2234]

Hopefully my post won't be misconstrued as trying to advertise for the manufacturers of the different AutoDarkening lens. I was more concerned with the other members having to do a trial and error with the cheaper lens' and either not getting what they really need, or maybe not even realizing that their eyes were taking a beating when using the cheaper built ones. I don't mean the cheaper ones, just the cheaper built ones. I won't say somebody who sells one is putting out inferrior products, I just posted what works for me.
I have owned and used an AO Auto darkening lens since they first came out on the market, or shortly thereafter. The price on them was over $500 when I got my first one. That kind of money was an impossible mountain for a backyard beginning welder like me in the late 80's. One of them was worth more than all of my welding equipment total, so I treated it with loving care, and still cherish the memory of the trouble my sister went thru to get one for me.
My eyes are very sensitive to flash, and it doesn't take long for me to realize something is wrong with a lens. Hopefully each member posting good or bad results will have a good effect on the choice of hoods purchased in the future.
David from jax

 

[RichT]

Also use a Miller Big Window Elite. As noted, excellent viewing area and quality product. HIGHLY recommended. Batteries are easy to find (Radio Shack) and easy to replace. Very comfortable as well.