Auto darkening helmets

[rScotty]

As others have said, the auto darkening UV protection will generally be the same no matter which helmet you buy. It comes down to comfort and features.

OK. Decision time. In spite of the bad luck I had with the old 9100 Hornell Speedglas - the helmet fell apart in the rain - I liked it enough that I'm going to go ahead and replace it with an updated 9100xx 3M Speedgals. I'll try my local supplier first; see if they can get one in for anywhere near to what I can get one online from Bakers Welding and Supply. Truth is that I liked the old style 9100 helmet, but what is selling me is the changes: the new headband, lower pivot, the newer user interface on the same old reliable AD lens, and those nifty side windows. Most of my work is TIG or torch and I don't mind changing hoods for what little grinding that involves.
I'm almost afraid to ask if the new 3M 9100 is now water resistant ....
rScotty

 

[Chilly807]

I've got a Miller performance series helmet, pretty happy with it over the last 3 years.

Sean

 

[dragoneggs]

I initially bought the HF cheapo but it didn't work! Then bought a Miller 'Classic Series' and it works great. 8 to 12 on the shade adjustment and it seems to plenty cover my needs. The sensitivity knob is effective too. I had to dial that back to low otherwise I could look outside while in my garage and it would 'trigger'. The Miller was about $100 I think but after my one experience with the HF (and I am a HF fan) I am very happy with the upgrade. Maybe I just had a faulty HF helmet?

 

[Ole Orange]

I initially bought the HF cheapo but it didn't work! Then bought a Miller 'Classic Series' and it works great. 8 to 12 on the shade adjustment and it seems to plenty cover my needs. The sensitivity knob is effective too. I had to dial that back to low otherwise I could look outside while in my garage and it would 'trigger'. The Miller was about $100 I think but after my one experience with the HF (and I am a HF fan) I am very happy with the upgrade. Maybe I just had a faulty HF helmet?

Might have just been a faulty helmet, as I got the HF blue flame auto darking over a year ago on sale and with a coupon for 40 bucks lots of settings including a grinding mode works great. Just a note I only use it occasionally not full time.

 

[PILOON]

I am on my 2nd 'el cheepo' and never been flashed.
I flick a lighter B4 welding just to verify that it works OK.
I discovered that my first one simply worked off of the 3 volt cell 'till that cell died.
The newer one keeps charged OK as I leave it in front of the window when not used.
I mostly stick weld and have never been flashed but it sure makes welding more pleasant to do.

 

[dragoneggs]

I like the reset button on the Miller Classic. It flashes (auto darkens) quickly two times to let you know it is working.

 

[mx842]

I have a Miller Digital Elite which works great, but is in the $200 to 300 price range.

I have one of those too. It's a pretty good helmet but they are hard on batteries and the sad part is it has two of them you have to change.

I retired my two old Jackson's after 7 or 8 years of service when I bought the Miller Elite but I have to bring one or the other out of retirement every now and again because after the Elite sits for awhile it needs batteries. Actually....and I hate to say this, considering how much I paid for the elite but since I bought the elite I have used my old Jackson more than the Miller. Okay, okay....one of the reasons for this was that the dang thing was so pretty I hated to use it because I didn't want to mess it up.LOL But the other reason is that as I said it seems to eat batteries pretty fast.

Both the Miller and the Jackson's have good head gear and are light weight, comfortable to wear, easy to use and stays put while welding. Both have very good field of vision and have adjustable settings with grind, weld and burn modes. If I had to go out and buy another helmet right now it would probably be another Jackson just because the last two I have owned have been so solid. I bought the Elite the day I picked up my new Millermatic 252 but kinda wish I had took that money and bought consumables with it because I already had several good helmets and I can't remember when I had to replace a battery in one of those.