Auto Helmet Reccomendations?

[sn0border88]

Im looking at a new Miller Performance Series or Hobart XTV Series auto hood.

It will be mostly used for TIG, sometimes low amp stuff so that is a must.

Anyone have experience with either or can recommend another good hood?

Im not buying any cheap HF stuff, my eyes are bad enough as it is and im only 18.

[rocksteadyrobk]

speedglass

[BumpyDodge]

The Hornell Speeglas has a delay feature which will keep the helmet dark for a brief moment *after* the arc goes out. This keeps you from frying your eyes when doing a lot of tacks or pulsed processes. Pulsed tig really fawks with some other helmets, so if you ever do pulsed tig - I'd recommend a "high end" (9002v or x) speedglas. Another thing I like about the high-end Speedglas is the way they set up the side vents - the lens never fogs up. The side vents are non-functional on the lower end hornells. I live in GA and it gets pretty hot & humid here, so that was a factor for me. My helmet isn't a fashion statement, so I don't mind the fact that the Hornells are pretty ugly looking compared to a Miller.

Miller's elite will go to lower amperage than their performance series - check the specs if you'd prefer to stick with a Miller helmet.

I haven't tried out a Hobart helmet, so I can't comment on them.

[fj40charles]

Might look at a Jackson Nex-gen EQC. Is has the digital setting and open delay.

[sn0border88]

I dont go real low tig, 15-20 is probably about the limit. I also dont do pulsed, but alot of tacking pieces. If im doing a large number of product I may end up just tacking pieces for the better part of an hour so lifting the hood each time gets old fast.

Ill look into the other helmets, I have a fixed shade jackson now and im happy with it but an auto would defiantly be worth it.

Im not worried about fogging up, it dosent ever get real hot or humid in the shop.

[featherflicker]

I have used both the Speedglas and the Jackson EQC (the model before the Next Gen).They are both very nice hoods.

The Speedglas is a little lighter and the ventilation is nice, but it uses expensive batteries and the cover lenses are proprietary and expensive.

My Jackson used generic cover lenses and 2 AAA batteries. If you have the large view Jackson hood now It should use the same cover lenses as that.

[Wicked_S10]

IMO the Optrel Satellite is the best AD helmet available. It's only downfall is that its ADF's lifespan is typically only 5 years and is not serviceable. I own a Miller Elite, a 10 year old speedglass, and the 5-6 year old satellite. I bought the elite when the Satellite ADF failed, the elite is such a POS that I purchased a new ADF for the optrel.

The biggest problem I had with the elite, is it does not play well with high freq tig, plus I like the shade selection of the optrel much better. I typically do most of my welding somewhere around Din7-8. No other helmet on the market has the shade selection of the optrel.

Later,
Jason

[sn0border88]

did it not work good with hi-freq start or cont? or both?

[Wicked_S10]

did it not work good with hi-freq start or cont? or both?

Continuous high frequency overlay. The helmet would get scrambled and shift shades light to dark, gradually. It would also occasionally switch to din3 (at rest shade) then to a 13 or so and flicker back and forth, and no, it wasn't because the sensor eyes were being blinded by something, the elite has 4 sensors, and it is virtually impossible to blind them all w/o some electrical tape.

[sn0border88]

odd, did you talk to miller about that? I really have my eye on the perf. series. I tried one out tuesday and liked it alot.

[PARANOID56]

I bought the Miller Elite big window helmet. Love it. I do a lot of production welding using the pulse hi freq and have never had an issue. never been flashed or anything.

what ever you do, buy the best you can afford, as you cant replace your eyes

[Brad]

I have a Miller Elite big window for my shop and a Jackson for work. Jackson has stood up to every welding process, low amp tig and pulse as well. Ive had the hood for over 2 years and I've never had a problem with it. I keep it on 11 because Im constantly doing different process'. I cant find the exact lense I have but search for posts by me in this forum and you will find a reply with it in it.

[tonka22]

miller elite

[45acp]

I have the cheapo non-adjustable Speedglas and love it.

[THachiya]

I have the Speedglas 9002X and would recommend it highly. Light weight, big window and seamless transition from light to dark. Add the leather sweat band and you're good to go.