Auto Helmet Reccomendations? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

sn0border88 · 07-02-2007, 07:02 PM

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 · 07-02-2007, 07:04 PM

speedglass

BumpyDodge · 07-02-2007, 07:23 PM

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 · 07-02-2007, 07:28 PM

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

sn0border88 · 07-02-2007, 07:38 PM

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 · 07-05-2007, 02:11 PM

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 · 07-05-2007, 02:28 PM

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 · 07-05-2007, 02:49 PM

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

Wicked_S10 · 07-05-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sn0border88

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 · 07-05-2007, 07:01 PM

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 · 07-06-2007, 08:13 AM

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 · 07-06-2007, 07:30 PM

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 · 07-06-2007, 07:41 PM

miller elite

45acp · 07-06-2007, 10:34 PM

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

THachiya · 07-07-2007, 05:27 AM

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.

07-02-2007, 07:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
sn0border88 Master Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56692 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 1,251	Auto Helmet Reccomendations? 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. __________________ 1992 Explorer SAS'ed on HPD44/9" W/ 5.13 Locked F/R 36" TSL-SX on DIY Locks

07-02-2007, 07:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
rocksteadyrobk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26527 Location: NJ Posts: 587	speedglass __________________ Rocksteady Racing Buc Nasty--Shortstar TJ 3000 lbs Dodge 3500 Tow Rig

07-02-2007, 07:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
fj40charles Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1926 Location: Dallas, TX USA Posts: 3,255	Might look at a Jackson Nex-gen EQC. Is has the digital setting and open delay. __________________ '69 FJ40 with very few stock parts. 2000 Cummins with some goodies to make it smoke..... Trail Gear's Bad Ethics=Bad Business.

07-02-2007, 07:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
sn0border88 Master Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56692 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 1,251	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. __________________ 1992 Explorer SAS'ed on HPD44/9" W/ 5.13 Locked F/R 36" TSL-SX on DIY Locks

07-05-2007, 02:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wicked_S10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14848 Location: Midland, Mi Posts: 1,750	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 __________________ 2006 JCORF Buggy, 60's,Locked F&R,42" TSLs,EFI460,C6,Atlas5.0 Comp Case 1988 Bronco,in progress Last edited by Wicked_S10; 07-05-2007 at 02:29 PM.

07-02-2007, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
BumpyDodge Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Member # 48682 Location: ATL GA Posts: 1,386	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.

07-05-2007, 02:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
featherflicker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 69772 Location: Idaho Posts: 83	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.

07-05-2007, 02:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
sn0border88 Master Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56692 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 1,251	did it not work good with hi-freq start or cont? or both? __________________ 1992 Explorer SAS'ed on HPD44/9" W/ 5.13 Locked F/R 36" TSL-SX on DIY Locks

07-05-2007, 07:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
sn0border88 Master Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56692 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 1,251	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. __________________ 1992 Explorer SAS'ed on HPD44/9" W/ 5.13 Locked F/R 36" TSL-SX on DIY Locks

07-06-2007, 08:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
PARANOID56 Rock God Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5114 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 1,742	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 __________________ 1971 FJ40 w/ rust Build up 2003 Toyota Taco double cab 2008 Subaru Impreza STI 1998 Honda XR650L TLCA member #12202

07-06-2007, 07:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Brad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3239 Location: Benicia,CA Posts: 7,465	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. __________________ B-RAD Fabrication TDO DYSFUNCTIONAL ROCKCRAWLERS

07-06-2007, 07:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
tonka22 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Member # 34433 Location: alberta. cunuckland Posts: 259	miller elite

07-06-2007, 10:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
45acp says "yall" alot Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13671 Location: north of Caddo parish Posts: 3,254	I have the cheapo non-adjustable Speedglas and love it. __________________ Hey kid, are you going my way? Hop in... we'll have ourselves a field day

07-07-2007, 05:27 AM	#15 (permalink)
THachiya Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Member # 47888 Location: Porkopolis, USA Posts: 771	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. __________________ WTF-J - WTF gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future.

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