Auto Darkening Helmets. Is there a difference?

[BukitCase]

Mark, since you have a Miller mig I REALLY hope you bought the BLUE flamed hood; if not, it's pretty OBVIOUS why it wouldn't work :laughing:

All seriousness aside, if you don't wanna spend TOO much more that the HF (or maybe not as MUCH, given their newer offerings) I picked up one of the Antra hoods that were mentioned here awhile back; so far I really like it, pretty much tics ALL the "boxes" - light, 4 sensors, shades 4-13 (3 amp tig even), big window, etc -

Antra Welding Helmet Auto Darkening AH7-86- Huge Viewing Size 3.86X3.5" Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13 Great for TIG MIG/MAG MMA Plasma, Grinding, Solar-Lithium Dual Power, 6+1 Extra Lens Covers: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Bought it as a backup/guest hood, ended up using it in preference to my older Jackson... Steve

 

[Industrial Toys]

Remember, some of us can't have nice things.

Keep your helmet pristine and a two hundred pound wide flange beam will fall on it.


I used to buy everything a utilitarian black. Glass cases, notebooks, pouches, whatever. But with worse eyesight everyday, other colors seem to make life easier. Easier to scan the shop looking for a brightly colored helmet, you set down somewhere, than a flat black one.

 

[Big Barn]

You make things nice by looking after them.

 

[the old grind]

I bought a similar one, but it didn't come with instructions. (YESWELDER LYG-M800D) There are two shade ranges, but I'm not sure how to select them. 5-9 or 9-13? Outer shields are so big I'm looking for replacements. Came with & calls for 4.75" x 5.5" vs the 4.5" x 5.25" seen everywhere. btw, I found out that an iPhone is quite good for testing wall mounts.



YESWELDER Large Viewing Screen 3.94"X3.27" True Color Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, 4 Arc Sensor Wide Shade 4~5/9-9/13 for TIG MIG Arc Cut Grinding Welder Mask LYG-M8D - - Amazon.com

 

[dragoneggs]

Mark, since you have a Miller mig I REALLY hope you bought the BLUE flamed hood; if not, it's pretty OBVIOUS why it wouldn't work :laughing:

All seriousness aside, if you don't wanna spend TOO much more that the HF (or maybe not as MUCH, given their newer offerings) I picked up one of the Antra hoods that were mentioned here awhile back; so far I really like it, pretty much tics ALL the "boxes" - light, 4 sensors, shades 4-13 (3 amp tig even), big window, etc -

Antra Welding Helmet Auto Darkening AH7-86- Huge Viewing Size 3.86X3.5" Wide Shade Range 4/5-9/9-13 Great for TIG MIG/MAG MMA Plasma, Grinding, Solar-Lithium Dual Power, 6+1 Extra Lens Covers: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Bought it as a backup/guest hood, ended up using it in preference to my older Jackson... Steve

Thanks for the info, Steve. I am pretty sure it was blue. My cheapo welding jacket is blue/black so unless I was having a bad day in the fashion department I would not have chosen red. :laughing:

 

[WranglerX]

Another thing to consider is scratches on the outer lens cover impeding vision.

This is what I use.

View attachment 641046

I just replace plastic shield when it gets two scratched....

Dale

 

[coxhaus]

I am old and the best helmet for me is Lincoln's C4 lens technology. I can see to start. I wear computer reading glasses under my helmet. It is not the best built helmet but the vision is great.

 

[crazyal]

Just ran into a problem with my elcheapo HF helmet. I was welding some tube at an angle. I put a notch in it and used a ratchet strap to hold it tight. It wasn't close to the metal but apparently it was close enough to block the sensor so it didn't auto darken. While it's not a huge deal I will be replacing it with one that has sensors in each corner. I likened it to spotting a deer and taking a shot. Looking through the scope shows a clear shot while the barrel is pointed right at a branch.

 

[dragoneggs]

Just ran into a problem with my elcheapo HF helmet. I was welding some tube at an angle. I put a notch in it and used a ratchet strap to hold it tight. It wasn't close to the metal but apparently it was close enough to block the sensor so it didn't auto darken. While it's not a huge deal I will be replacing it with one that has sensors in each corner. I likened it to spotting a deer and taking a shot. Looking through the scope shows a clear shot while the barrel is pointed right at a branch.

Ah ha... I didn't realize the HF cheapo only had one sensor. That might have been my problem. I returned shortly after I bought it thinking it was defective. It seems stupid to rely on other one sensor.

 

[BukitCase]

Mark, the HF one may have easily just BEEN defective - I bought one for "observer" use, never DID get it to work. Kept it under a bright light for days, STILL didn't wanna work.

Also, IIRC most cheaper hoods have two sensors, the better ones (don't flash you AS MUCH) have four. With only two, it's pretty easy to "shoot that limb" instead of the deer ... Steve