I'm going to step up to the plate and buy an auto tinting helmet. Four sensors, large window, battery/solar powered, different shade selections 299.99 ( OUCH !!!). Was wondering how everyone likes or dislikes theirs before I purchase it. I've been putting it off for years and can't take it no more...

I have one, I like it. I didnt pay that much (dont remember how much though) others hate it. Seems to be a personal thing. See if you can try one out before buying

I got mine at Harbor Freight for $129, and I've seen it on sale for $99. I don't weld a LOT, but it sure made it easier for me to learn than trying to flip that helmet down every time.

I've got a Hornell Speedglas 9000XF. Has a large view, fixed tint, it works great. I highly reccomend it.
http://www.cyberweld.com/speed90.html

Tried one, hated it, went back to flippin the helmet to strike an arc. Cant remember the brand ( it was one that was in the shop when I got there) but it had a small pressure switch on the faceplate you had to press to turn it on. Stupid thing would turn itself off at random times to save batt power i guess. Took a paint marker and drew a slash on the side every time I flashed my eyes cause it had turned off randomly, and when I got to 3 strikes I gave it to a new guy. Got one in my current shop that I have to replace (I'm stuck doing the ordering lately) cause something happened internally, and now only half of the lense darkens. Give me a plain ole helmet that very little can go wrong with anyday.

Kwrangln

The sales guy showed me several other models in a lower price range even the 99.99 deal. But after he explained why I should buy the MO MONEY helmet it did make sense to step up. The helmet I'm looking at has FOUR sensors, one in each corner. Let's say your under the car using the elcheapo 99.99 helmet with one sensor and a part of the car undercarriage is covering the sensor it's not going to activate in time to protect your eye's. So he recommended at leat a two sensor model with a large window and a fixed #10 lense. They started out at like 250.00 but for another 50.00 I would get the additional two sensors and different shade selections. I don't know though 300.00 for a helmet ???

ive got one w/ fixed shade. works great. still a beginner so it makes it easier. didnt pay that much but the view area isnt very big, probably part of the $ difference.

I have one of the 'Hobart Hoods' and I love it. Course I'm just a rookie at welding but it sure makes thing easier. Got mine from Cyberweld.com for $175. Here's a link...

http://www.cyberweld.com/welhelandgog.html

Rumour has is that the 'fraction of a split second flash' you get from an auto tint WILL wear on your eyes eventualy if you weld alot. But for more casual stuff you'ld never no it.
I went with a fixed tint el-cheapo flipper helmut cause I drop shit all the time, usualy onto stuff I put down outof harms way:rasta: :rasta:

I've been hobby welding for 35 years. Buying a mid price auto darkening helmet is the BEST thing I ever did.

I had a fixed tint helmet for years and it worked fine but last year I installed an solar powered Auto-Tint lense in the helment and I love it. I paid right around $100.00 for it. I have noticed my eyes do get a little "sandy" if I weld for several hours in a day.

One suggestion, go with the 4"x 4" unit if you can afford it. My 4"x 2" is a little small sometimes (no small jokes fawkers:flipoff2:)

Go for it and enjoy!

I gotta give up another prop FOR em. I got the Harbor Freight cheapo. Love it! I'm a better welder for it too.

I can see the arguments though if you were a welder for a living or doing ALOT of welding. Then I'd say stay fixed or go with a pricey unit. But for my weekend warrier birdshit welds, the cheapo is kick'n ass.

Originally posted by Rubicrawler
My 4"x 2" is a little small sometimes (no small jokes fawkers:flipoff2:)



That's some serious " GIRTH "

Sorry man, I couldn't help it:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Chopperman


That's some serious " GIRTH "

Sorry man, I couldn't help it:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

I know, you just couldn't help yourself:flipoff2:

An arc welder is 10x brigther than the sun. Seeing how many spend $90ish on nice sunglasses, I think for a full helmet that protects your eyes (and face) later in life is well worth the money. I prefer the large window flip models (the ones where you can have the face down and just flip the dark lens over the clear one model types). I have only tried one auto dim model. I liked it, but the visibility was so much better than the regular models that I wonder what damage it was doing to my eyes. After a little welding that day my eyes were dry that night indicating that it did not do as good of a job as the standard ones.

I would also suggest getting a slightly lighter lens for grinding. I find that when I am on my back and grinding on something under my vehicle that I tend to get a ton of sparks down on my face/neck. Kind of a PITA with my tiny mask. Just a thought as lenses are super duper easy to change. Also a nice feature to have is the leather square that can be tucked into the shirt to protect the neck area. Could easily modify a helmet with this mod also.

Way

I bought mine about a year and a half ago....I love it!!!!
Spent almost 200 bucks on it then vs the 80 non auto hood....

I used a 10x lense in mine, and I weld all day long with it and i havent had any problems with my eyes.

I've got a #10 Speedglass fixed 2x4 lense in a $25 helmet. Works great, glad I bought it. I'd prefer the larger 4x4" lense now that I've used it for a while, but couldn't spend the money at the time. When I buy my skull helmet and new shield, I'll get the bigger one.

I have a Jackson model HSL 100. I do not weld for a living but I can not imagine using anything else. I bought it brand new on eBay for less than half price:D (don't remember the amount,around $100)

I have used a couple different auto tinting ones and I hate them...I am too use to flipping my hood down so even if its already down I still flip my head before I strike an arc...if you are new to welding and dont weld a lot them I could see how you would like them...also my eyes always felt more tired after welding with the auto tinting ones...:D:D:D

I will never use anything else again. Auto is the only way to weld.

I have the Optrel Mira speed hood and it has been about four years now and I don't know how I welded before! It cost me at the time around 4bills but it has been worth every penny. It is full auto you don't need to turn it on or off and has no batterys to replace. If you don't use it for a long time you may need to set it under a floresent light for a day acording to the manual (I have never had to do this). The only way to discribe it is like when you put in your first locker and went wheeling, how could you have done it before! I build alot of roll cages and sand buggy and when you are bent over backwards and your nuts are tward the sky but your left foot is some how by your right ear, you will love not having to find you helmit to flip down. Sorry for nattering on but coor's helped!!!!!!

Chalk up another "go for it" vote. I've got an adjustable tint Jackson lens and really like it.

I have one and love it:D It helps that I got mine for free though

I have three hoods. Two fixed, one Auto. I am not a big fan of the auto. It works, but I really don't like dealing with the switches it has. The helmet I like the most is my Grandpas first welding helmet that he gave me when he taught me to weld. Seems like everything was made more durable,and comfortable in the 40's-50's. It's all prefrance, but don't take risks with you eyes:eek:

i have an auto, paid like $89 for it. works great ! love the thing.
don't remember if this is the vendor i got it from or not but this is the same brand but this guy is selling it for $69, it's got a variable shade from like 9 to 13 and it's solar powered so it doesn't need batteries and you don't ever have to turn it on or off.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1742390093

- jack

personally i like mine, i dont weld alot and im by no means an expert at welding so for me it makes things ALOT easyer. i would like to get a better one though at some point that has like you were saying the different shades and such.

ive never been flashed with it but i let john borrow it and evidently the batteries died on him and it flashed.

i have one and will not weld without one,
mine is a speed glass goes from shade 3 to 10 when you strike an arc, i didn't need to have the variable shade one. picked mine up for $220 Canadian...:beer:

I weld for a living and just use the fixed-so used to flipping it up and down I don't even think about it. But for doing work where I have to position something by hand I do have a helmet that the lens flips up and down by a chin strap on the inside. Works really slick but not comfortable to use for hours.

I bought a cheapie one for $60 on ebay. It has a small window but does adjust from 9 to 13. It's much better than my old flip up one although it isn't very comfortable but what should I expect for that cheap.

It makes a world of difference. I had a hard time fliping the hood down and holding everything straight not I just weld. I love it.