Auto-darkening helmet

[Big Barn]

You know, I never could get into wearing helmet in grind mode. A purposeful 20$ face shield is cooler and you don't mess up the front lens of the helmet. Plus hearing protection is a must for me. I definitely get being shy of solar helmets in your situation, though when they work they stay charged for months. My "good" Optrel gear isn't so good as the solar charger or battery went TU. My free Tweaker gear works like a champ though.

Haha. Similar experiences. My first Optrel went TU also. I have a second Optrel that came with a used welder and a Lincoln Viking which is nice.

BUT seems like my "go to" is the freebie cheapo Tweco that came with my little 181i inverter.

 

[rkidd]

I agree with KennyG. I bought the Lincoln Viking 3350. Much bigger window, and a lighter tint. Can definitely see alot better with this helmet.

 

[sdef]

I will add one more data point. I have used a cheap HF auto dark helmet for about 4 years. It's still working and the rechargeable battery seems to be holding up. However, I get annoyed at the inadvertent darkening from work lights and I find it's a little hard to see the puddle and see exactly where the arc is.

I decided to spend some money ($200) and I got a Lincoln Viking 2450 helmet. It has a much larger window, the "4c" technology with 4 light sensors. Excuse the pun but it's like day and night. I can see so much clearer now it's amazing.

No question that the cheap helmets will work but if you intend on doing much welding, spending more will make the experience much more enjoyable. I'm not under the illusion that it will make me a good welder (that would be a miracle) but now I can see that I'm making a mistake much faster.

I have a Lincoln 3350 that suits me well for MIG and Plasma cutting mild steel. Issue is I turn the shade down to 5 for plasma use and in the same project forget to turn the shade back up to 10 for MIG and get semi flashed. So now looking for a less expensive, good visual quality, auto darkening helmet for plasma use with a very good lens. Also want it to be large enough to reasonably use a respirator under it as the Lincoln is a bit narrow for this usage. I use this with the 2097 filters: 3M 1/2 MASK RESPIRATOR ASSEMBLY MEDIUM - 7182 for WELDING - Papr Safety Respirators - Amazon.com, if there are any suggestions.

 

[Big Barn]

I find a helmet way too cumbersome for plasma cutting. Just buy a couple pairs of shade 5 and lighter safety glasses. Then you won't have problems with wearing a respirator.

 

[dragoneggs]

I find a helmet way too cumbersome for plasma cutting. Just buy a couple pairs of shade 5 and lighter safety glasses. Then you won't have problems with wearing a respirator.

View attachment 529541

Agreed! Yeah I quickly went to a shade 5 safety glasses and started wearing my respirator when I got my plasma. :thumbsup:

 

[sdef]

Thanks Big Barn and dragoneggs. Will give the glasses a try.

 

[ArlyA]

Well gee guys, this thread is spot-on for me today. I welded in the energy business for some time but left that some 20+ years ago. Today I'm back in the welding realm but in a high school shop but tired of using there poor quality, always scratched the dirty helmets and decided to buy and bring my own. I'll attached one project photo that I've done there for the folks who like visual. (I do) I'm going to look at the helmets you folks speak of and get one.

 

[Doofy]

Very nice! Trail Groomer?

 

[Big Barn]

We LIKE visuals. Thanks Arly!

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks guys, Ya its a XC trail machine.

Very nice! Trail Groomer?