largest auto darkening window,..

[mlicoasty]

I have to say that I love my speedglass 9000x. The best thing is that all the controls are on the inside, so no little knob to break off when I'm trying to jam my big ole nugget of a head into the bilge of one of these tiny little Coast Guard boats that I work on all day

[Paul Seaman]

your welcome

[HAWK]

PJ,

Thanks for the information.

[Paul Seaman]

Hawk:
I bought a Jackson journeyman for my first Ehood, I would say it made me a better welder immediatly, but for the simple fact that nodding caused me to move my torso and hands so I didn't weld where I thought I was. That said mine failed during my first welding class and stuck in the non-shaded mode instead of fail safe in dark.It nearly cost me real eye problems but when I thought there was a problem I asked an Instructor to give an opinion, BINGO it was bad. The next day I bought a Speedglas 9000x, Absolutely no regrets 2-1/2 years old and as good today as then.

Jackson did repace the element but a failure like this doesn't breed confidence it stays at the race garage but I take my 9000x just because it's a far superior.

I've looked at the new 9002x and instead of dial adjustments it has push buttons but very little else appears to have changed, appears to have changed is the key words, interior changes could be fantastic but could be horrific, I just don't know!

My eyes are my greatest asset protecting them is a first priority. Without vision I don't function, BTW my vision is 20/900 I am blind without correction.

Be safe,

[HAWK]

desman,

I recently used a NexGen helemt as a have to case. It was a Jackson shell. It is better than its EQC predecessor, but still far inferior to the Optrel Satellite or Miller Elite. I too have heard good things about Speedglass. The 3M should be a good deal.

[dseman]

Originally posted by HAWK
...I am probably going to offend somebody but of all I have owned and field tested the Jackson e hoods have never been anything more than expensive junk.

Hawk,
Does your comment pertain only to the eqc models or the nexgen model as well? I've tried the nexgen with a huntsman helmet and thought it worked well, and had a pretty light shell as well. I know Jackson is working on a new model that will be out later this summer or fall, so it will be interesting to see what the come up with. Also, speedglas has a pretty good following (I've no personal experience with it however) and the hornell company was purchased by 3M in April. I'm pretty comfortable saying that 3M makes very good safety gear, so here again, I think more progress will be made on the auto-darkening helmet front. I have yet to check out the big-window-elite however....

-dseman

[orgalmeister]

Originally posted by HAWK
I am probably going to offend somebody here, but...

the Jackson e hoods have never been anything more than expensive junk.

I agree. I thought they were the best thing since sliced bread until I got my Optrel. Optics headgear adjustability COMFORT are great.

Steve

[HAWK]

I am probably going to offend somebody here, but...

There are some fine manufacturers of auto e hoods on the market today. Each has it own place and type of controls: The Miller Elite is battery powered with solar assist with internal controls. The Optrel Satellite is totally solar with external controls. I am not real familiar with the Hornell helmets, but understand the newer Speedglass units are nice. Here is the offensive statement....Maybe? I know each and every hood has a place in the market ; but of all I have owned and field tested the Jackson e hoods have never been anything more than expensive junk.

[paulrbrown]

And man, I love that brightness when working in a Dark and Dingy shop or underneath some piece of Heavy equipment at Night....Paul

[paulrbrown]

H80n, I noticed the same with the Jackson Journeyman, I always had double and triple Images, it may be the thickness or nonreflection coating of the lenses, there are probably 7 or 8 pieces of glass in there, not counting the 2 protective covers, that gives you 18 to 20 surfaces to reflect light and loose definition, I used to be a pro Photographer, anyway, when I bought my Jackson in 95' I only used it about 30 hours the first year, it conked out within 13 months, they were very nice and replaced it for me at the cost of a new one!!!!!!No more Jackson for me, I have a Selstrom adjustable and an ArcOne shade 10. The Selstrom is twice as bright as the Jackson and The ArcOne is twice as bright as the Selstrom, that makes the ArcOne 4 times the brightness as the Jackson....All that photogear comes in handy still, used a $2000 Lightmeter. By the way, the New Hornell's are about as bright as my ArcOne, which is the brightest of all I have tested, I should get hold of one of the new Millers and test that. Best Regards, Paul

[H80N]

Optics....

Guys
I had mentioned blurry optics on the Jackson.... do not know if it is some form of diffraction/refraction from the liquid crystal.. lack of paralell in the filter assy.. or something else that causes this optical abberation... but did find that no mattter what strength of reading glasses I wore.. or how well I had cleaned the filter and cover glass... (even replaced cover glasses)... that I could never quite get into focus... this can be really tiring if you use it all day....got to a point that when I ended my day my eyes were so tired.. it was impossible to do my evening reading... I think there is a lot more to the design and manufacture of those liquid crystal filters than just light or dark and response times... whichever one you chose.. see if you can try it out.. WELDING.. to make sure that it fits your needs and eyes... and buy the best that you can afford..
Hope this helps
Heiti

BTW When I tried the Miller helmet the optical purity and clarity of the glass was startling in comparison to the EQC... that coupled with the available accessory... diopters (magnifying lenses) that fit the helmet... rather than messing with reading glasses made it a slam dunk... just bought a new washer and dryer.. so the Elite has got to wait a bit ... but it is on the top of my list....

[Paul Seaman]

bilxj;
The window size on the speedglas is large enough but it requires a special protective shields that are speedglas only, they are oval.

I love my 9000x and my millerXLix but with a jackson being the third auto down at the race shop I can't justify another especially as good as 2 of the three are, BTW I wouldn't give a buck a dozen for the jackson after using the speedglas.

Peace,

[HAWK]

Okay it is about 30% larger in the viewing area than other electronic hoods. I do not know of a 4.5 x 5.25 electronic hood that is of any quality. Here is a link for the Big window Elite. I am very happy with mine and I do a lot of low level out of position TIG.

http://millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/elite.html

[HAWK]

billxj,


It is a great helmet, but is only a little bigger than a standard 2x4.

[billxj]

...I gather all the larger top line auto-darkening models for welding are a standard window size 4-1/2" by 5-1/4" inches-So on the basis of the latest forum post, it is beginning to look as if I'll be springing for the Miller Big Elite-
billxj

THX: to all here for the helpful information