Im curious to see what the general consensus is here regarding auto darkening hoods. My opinion (based on one isolated incedent with what was likely a crappy hood) is a strong distrust of the auto darkening hoods. I know many people use them and love them, but ever since the one I used kept flashing me I have never used one again. However if they have improved alot since then and will not have the same problem I might be open to try again.

An auto is all I use, and I have never once had a problem. I have 2 Miller XLi helmets and wouldn't use anything else.

I had flash hassles with 2 different brands on 2 distinctly seperate occasions so my personal choice is a 4x5 conventional.

D.

Think I've tried about 5 different auto hoods over the years, and just didn't care for em. I'm so used to a standard hood I kept flipping the auto hood, kept getting flashed, overall, not worth it in my book. All the folks who have learned with em are going to have a hard time if they ever have to use a standard hood due to battery trouble, broken parts, or just stuck in the middle of nowhere. Call me old fashioned, but no electric hood for me.

the only time i have gotten flashed with my miller auto hood is when i either A) forget to turn the thing on, or B) forget to switch the settings when i tig weld.

i still like solid states because you can see the puddle and path you want to travel better.

I LIKE the auto darks............the issue for me is the cost. A normal hood for $30 can last you years, while a good auto dark starts around $200 and if you drive over it or drop it from up high or something........

I won't use the cheap auto darks anymore. It's not even flashing, but visual clarity.

I've seen people break the auto hood by dropping them on the bench instead of setting them down gently, them be fragile, bigtime.

I have a Jackson auto darkening helmet. I can't remember the exact model number, it is solar powered with lithium battery backup. I can adjust the sensitivity and delay settings, and the shade can vary from 9 to 13. I have yet to be flashed while wearing it, and I have never had "those" headaches.

IMO, a quality auto darkening helmet will provide the user with the most beneficial experience. While you can go out and get an HF for $40-60, I'm not trusting my eyes to low quality hardware, or feel like experiencing splitting headaches because of the many initial flashes.

I still have three "regular" helmets that I sometimes use, primarily because of the larger viewing window. Many of the old timers I know will swear death upon auto darkening hoods, but then they'll admit they have never used one.

As long as it provides good safety, I say stick with what hood you find most comfortable.:D

I learned on standard hood's but use a large Jackson window. I've never been flashed and even when you don't turn them on they are still an 8 or so tint. I weled everyday for 7yrs with them. One at work and one at home

I prefer the 4" x 5.5" standard hood. I learned with it and have never really liked the auto darkening ones. Just personal tastes I would assume. I have tried the millers they have at the local night school, but I don't find flipping it up and down and I would really rather spend $300 on my truck, not my helmet.

I get flashed in under chassis out of position welds when I do get flashed, that's just the sensors being blocked.. and even then the lens is a #7, so it aint like a real flash.

I like my 4x5.5 standard for outdoor use and when I'm welding out of position . The auto shades are nice when you are doing a lot of fit up (tack welding) . When you are welding with your hood down for long periods of time it doesn't really matter as you aren't flipping it up and down a lot .

I bought the top-o-range Lincon with all the bells and whistles and have found
Gota keep the solar pannel clean or the battery gets low and its slow on trasition.... Lithem batterys dosn't last :shaking:
And most annoying thing when doing awkward positional welding you WILL get flashed if you can't keep your head down for the sensors to get the arc flash

On the plus side if you do get flashed, you won't get arc eye (I learned stick on flip down hoods I know this well :rolleyes: )
You can adjust darkness to what style and amp of welding :) no issues with remembering where you put that other lense and then making a hash of it couse ya can't find it :(

Wouldn't do with out it now :D

Cheers Reece

I love my autodark hood, a Hobart. I have been flashed occassionally when working in a tight space. The flash is uncomfortable, but will not damge your eyes. Most auto hoods filter out harmful radiation, even in clear mode.

Ive been flashed a couple of times with an auto hood but it was with a cheap ATD one and I was out of position or using dual shielded wire. I bit the bullet and bought a Miller elite and I love it. I use it at work and home and havent had any problems since, so id say if you want an auto hood spend the money, you wont be sorry.

I added a Nexgen Jackson this past summer to another Jackson I have. Never been flashed by either.

ive got a couple auto hoods, i use the auto when i am tacking and just doing small stuff. If im layin some big beads and doing alot of welding I grab my jackson big window with a gold lense in it.

The only time I get flashed with my auto hood, is when the light sensor is cover when welding in tight spaces. Other than that, it always works.

Intermediate welder here with no problems with the $65 Harbor freight auto.

I`ve been using the HF auto dark helmet and really like it, no problems either.

I'm more than happy with the Jackson auto I purchased a few weeks ago. It takes a lot of "arm this way, head bent that way, framerail in the way, jackstand covering this part, other arm in the way..." to get it to flash but with 4 sensors it's not often at all.

One thing I noticed though with a cheap ebay helmet was that I got headaches once in awhile using it. Wasn't from being flashed, not sure why. Maybe it's advertised "to-dark" speed wasn't as spec'd?

Been flashed once with my Miller Big window elite...I forgot to turn it on.:shaking:

Been flashed once with my Miller Big window elite...I forgot to turn it on.:shaking:

Yeah I did that once too.

I use a shop brand mask, and have nevr been flashed welding. I learned on a normal one, and still when welding raise the mask to see better, and close it right before welding. it's great for aligning parts before you start and that's the major benefit for me working in tigth areas I can line something up, close mask, and then make sure its all perfect to start welding on..

a lot of the welding i do is in tight quarters so I get set up with the sensore (sore eyes) blocked it only takes once or twice to make you move so the glass works:smokin:

i have a utility speedglas and get flashed all the time with the stick, but in my shop i have a 350$ optrel satellite adjustable auto, and really like it for all welding. so if you get an auto dont be cheap.

I`ve been using the HF auto dark helmet and really like it, no problems either.


I have one of these too...no issues, not as clear as standard glass, but Im only a hobby welder.

I learned to weld on a tiny windowed standard helmet. Then switched to a standard large window Lincoln, and I have a HF autohelmet that works just fine. I was leery of the auto helmets (plus I couldn't justify $300+ for occasional use) but since the price has come WAAAAYYY down (<$150) and after using a buddies Lincoln auto darkening helmet I has hooked. They are nice when you don't have room to flip the helmet up and down, like lying on your back under your rig with your head next to the frame...

I have a 6 year old Optrel. I have never been flashed. I love it. It was very expensive (573.00) but worth every cent my ex wife spent on it !!!!!!

Mike Green -- Billyji

I use an Optrel-OSEvolution Satelite. It is the absolute best helmet made and good 2 year warranty too. mine got run over by a loader at about 25 months old and they replaced the helmet free of charge. besides that, never flashed me, has adjustable shade from 6-13, had a grind mode that is a little lighter that 6 (it is supposed to be 6 I think) and I never have to change batterys or turn it on.

I use an Optrel-OSEvolution Satelite. It is the absolute best helmet made and good 2 year warranty too. mine got run over by a loader at about 25 months old and they replaced the helmet free of charge. besides that, never flashed me, has adjustable shade from 6-13, had a grind mode that is a little lighter that 6 (it is supposed to be 6 I think) and I never have to change batterys or turn it on.

I have an optrell satellite, I loved it until the batteries died. Make sure you keep that thing charged. I am just over the 2 year mark. the helmet is like brand new and now it is 375$ grinding/plasma shield. If you don't keep it charged, the batteries will die and you can't charge them.

I have a cheapie $100 auto darkening hood.

I've only been flashed in very cramped corners where the sensors were obstructed.

so, I vote for occasionally and never. since it's VERY rare that it happened.