Auto Darkening Helmets. Is there a difference?

[Industrial Toys]

I would like to explore that more but couldn't continue watching the video. Everything except what matters. Should be the saying for our times.

 

[tomplum]

I really like this Tweco auto dark helmet. It’s very comfortable and is my “go to “. Please keep in mind these days most of my projects do not require extended hood time. Taking the lid on and off a lot is required.

IIRC the helmet was $600 but included a free welder.

View attachment 636887

Yep, I have one of those too. Great helmet for freebie!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe to back up for a moment. I have never used a fixed shade helmet. Would a fixed tinted piece of glass be as good as it gets optically? I mean, I really don't care at all, how clear the viewing is, when not welding. The issue for me is not being able to see the welding process clearly.

 

[PILOON]

I believe most use the same 'guts' with differences being the battery used and how it gets charged ,if in fact it is rechargeable.
Those I toyed with generally used a 3 volt lithium and have solar charging panel incorporated.

Welding ark will generate the rays to recharge the lithium cell if one is present.
For that reason I LEAVE MY HELMET FACING THE OPEN WINDOW WHEN NOT IN USE AS I am but a casual welder.

So far it has worked for me, and my $40. helmet is going on 4-5 years now but I generally burn a mere 2 boxes of rods/year.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have had my Speed Shade for a long time, rarely weld and it stays in the box, in a cabinet. Still works. Not sure how it gets it's power. It has solar cells that I thought powered it, but maybe they are for ARC sensing.

 

[Dr Gas]

I switched from Harbor Freight (which worked ok) to a Miller Digital Elite which is better in every way. I am am hobby welder not a pro but I’ve progressed enough to know that puddle control begins with seeing the puddle. I do mig, TIG and stick but mostly mild steel mig. I added a 2.0 magnifying lens which helps a lot.

 

[dragoneggs]

I switched from Harbor Freight (which worked ok) to a Miller Digital Elite which is better in every way. I am am hobby welder not a pro but I’ve progressed enough to know that puddle control begins with seeing the puddle. I do mig, TIG and stick but mostly mild steel mig. I added a 2.0 magnifying lens which helps a lot.

The Digital Elite is on my radar for an upgrade. Need to some comparison shopping with other brands with similar specs. I like the viewing area which apparently is about double my Miller Classic. The weight is only slight more than my 1lb helmet.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Cheater lens for the autos are spendy. I use my safety glasses with bifocal top and bottom and really works. That top bifocal really makes overhead welds a lot more comfortable.

Ron

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Eric, no disrespect but that video was marketing genius/crap. 2.23minutes and mostly CGI (computer graphics imagery). A small amount of actual welding video and pretty much zero info other than the side by side comparison to... what?

I am a pretty much a believer of what you pay for but I want some good info on what helmet to upgrade to without breaking the bank.

Sigh. I couldn't find a video using Jackson's W70 lens in actual welding in HD. I'd make one myself, but I'd need to put a camera behind a W70 lens which is a PITA to set-up

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have one of the Jackson large window hoods, really liked it - it's still "OK", other than having to replace the guts at around $300 once - then I bought one of these (because of a thread here)
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

I've only used it a couple times, but it's a LOT clearer than the Jackson, and I could buy FOUR of 'em for the cost of a new cartridge for the Jackson. It's nice to have a second hood (#1 grandson things so too :thumbsup:

Guess what's gonna happen to the Jackson the next time it craps out ... Steve

Have you got the W70 lens (truesight II)?