Auto darkening Helmets - your suggestions...

[Bret Dinkins]

I think im ready to bite the bullet on an auto-darkening helmet! My main reason for wanting one is to be able to grind without having to raise my hood. (I usually Just wear safety glasses under the hood to do some light / spot grinding With my hood up). I don't care for those little Grinding burns...

The prices on (What I guess are good ones) are high! So what do you have to pay to get a decent one with a large viewing field? Eastwood has one that looks decent for 120., made out of nylon, (although "made in China"), but with a year warranty!

What do ya'll use and trust - but is fairly priced good value? Thanks!

[griff01]

I think im ready to bite the bullet on an auto-darkening helmet! My main reason for wanting one is to be able to grind without having to raise my hood. (I usually Just wear safety glasses under the hood to do some light / spot grinding With my hood up). I don't care for those little Grinding burns...

The prices on (What I guess are good ones) are high! So what do you have to pay to get a decent one with a large viewing field? Eastwood has one that looks decent for 120., made out of nylon, (although "made in China"), but with a year warranty!

What do ya'll use and trust - but is fairly priced good value? Thanks!

I have a Miller Digital Elite (large window) at my day job and at my shop. I am pleased with both.

Griff

P.S.
I do TIG, MIG, & STICK AT BOTH

[B&M Welding Inc.]

I think im ready to bite the bullet on an auto-darkening helmet! My main reason for wanting one is to be able to grind without having to raise my hood. (I usually Just wear safety glasses under the hood to do some light / spot grinding With my hood up). I don't care for those little Grinding burns...

The prices on (What I guess are good ones) are high! So what do you have to pay to get a decent one with a large viewing field? Eastwood has one that looks decent for 120., made out of nylon, (although "made in China"), but with a year warranty!

What do ya'll use and trust - but is fairly priced good value? Thanks!

By far the biggest window for the money is a Viking 3350. I personally use 2 Speedglas 9100XX's, one has the PAPR and an integrate grind lens behind the flip-up auto lens. Also have a Miller Elite. The score? Definitely Speedglas, has the most comfortable fit and great balance, lightweight. Miller Elite, is a good industrial quality helmet with a fairly large lens, is somewhat heavy and narrow on a large head. If you are on a budget but want a big lens definitely check out the Viking 3350.
I have also had 2 Miller Titanium 9400i. I thought I liked them until the flip hinge started falling apart every day, moved to Speedglas and have no regrets! Just my life experiences! Brian

[Mikey Welds]

Auto darkening Helmets - your suggestions...

Make sure you get one with a grinding mode because the sparks will cause the shield to flicker and it will drive you nuts!

[pat h]

Lowes has a 4 sensor AD hood with a big view for under a hundred bucks 3 yr warranty its just as good my big window elite, ck worldwide has a new one that looks spec wise juct like the older version of the Lincoln 2450 for about 130.00

[Danny]

For Grinding/ sanding, or cut-off wheel use, I prefer to use a clear face shield over covering my nice AD welding hood with metal dust inside and out.

Grinding with most AD hoods is going to require you to have to take the hood off your head to switch the sensitivity to the grind setting. My HTP CSV hood has a weld/grind selector switch that allows you to keep the hood on your head , however, you still have to raise the hood up a little to change the position of the selector switch.

My new 1/1/1/1 rated Lincoln Viking 2450 hood has a real nice clear view through it. It also offers 5-7 shades that work well for plasma cutting.

I've used a Miller Elite and Performance series hood. I don't like the green tint of there dark state, and I see some noticeable inconsistency in the shading.

[Bret Dinkins]

Thank you much Griff, I appreciate the info and suggestion! Best Regards, Bret

I have a Miller Digital Elite (large window) at my day job and at my shop. I am pleased with both.

Griff

P.S.
I do TIG, MIG, & STICK AT BOTH

[Bret Dinkins]

Hey Brian, I sure appreciate your information and suggestions on the helmets! Thank you in advance, Bret

By far the biggest window for the money is a Viking 3350. I personally use 2 Speedglas 9100XX's, one has the PAPR and an integrate grind lens behind the flip-up auto lens. Also have a Miller Elite. The score? Definitely Speedglas, has the most comfortable fit and great balance, lightweight. Miller Elite, is a good industrial quality helmet with a fairly large lens, is somewhat heavy and narrow on a large head. If you are on a budget but want a big lens definitely check out the Viking 3350.
I have also had 2 Miller Titanium 9400i. I thought I liked them until the flip hinge started falling apart every day, moved to Speedglas and have no regrets! Just my life experiences! Brian

[Bret Dinkins]

Ok that does sound like a definite need! Thanks Mikey it's appreciated!!

Make sure you get one with a grinding mode because the sparks will cause the shield to flicker and it will drive you nuts!

[Bret Dinkins]

Pat, sounds good will check those out! Thank you much on the suggestion! Bret

Lowes has a 4 sensor AD hood with a big view for under a hundred bucks 3 yr warranty its just as good my big window elite, ck worldwide has a new one that looks spec wise juct like the older version of the Lincoln 2450 for about 130.00

[Bret Dinkins]

I use to use a clear shield as well - just tired of switching back and forth. Thanks for the info and suggestion! I don't think I'd like that green tint either! Ill check out that Viking! Thanks, Bret

For Grinding/ sanding, or cut-off wheel use, I prefer to use a clear face shield over covering my nice AD welding hood with metal dust inside and out.

Grinding with most AD hoods is going to require you to have to take the hood off your head to switch the sensitivity to the grind setting. My HTP CSV hood has a weld/grind selector switch that allows you to keep the hood on your head , however, you still have to raise the hood up a little to change the position of the selector switch.

My new 1/1/1/1 rated Lincoln Viking 2450 hood has a real nice clear view through it. It also offers 5-7 shades that work well for plasma cutting.

I've used a Miller Elite and Performance series hood. I don't like the green tint of there dark state, and I see some noticeable inconsistency in the shading.

[Mikey Welds]

Auto darkening Helmets - your suggestions...

I use the clear shield 99% of the time but when you are at the top of a ladder with a stinger and a grinder it is great to be able to see when grinding without having a shield to hang onto. I have the digital elite and I like it a lot. I have found that if you do out of position work out of a bucket or weld on construction sites the cheaper masks just don't hold up. If you are a hobbyist or do mostly smaller shop work at the bench the cheaper ones are fine.

[BD1]

Everybody has a favorite hood for their reasons. It would be best to at least try them on. If you can test run them even better. Mine is a Miller Elite and still working fine.

[Bret Dinkins]

I'll check out that Digital Elite, I do a limited amount of position work but do some off of ladders or scaffolding. Thanks Mikey I appreciate the info! Best Regards, Bret

I use the clear shield 99% of the time but when you are at the top of a ladder with a stinger and a grinder it is great to be able to see when grinding without having a shield to hang onto. I have the digital elite and I like it a lot. I have found that if you do out of position work out of a bucket or weld on construction sites the cheaper masks just don't hold up. If you are a hobbyist or do mostly smaller shop work at the bench the cheaper ones are fine.

[Bret Dinkins]

Thank you, that sounds like one worth checking out! Ill have to see if my local supply has any I can try on like you suggested! Thank you, Bret

Everybody has a favorite hood for their reasons. It would be best to at least try them on. If you can test run them even better. Mine is a Miller Elite and still working fine.