largest auto darkening window,..

[billxj]

can't seem to see too much though my ole "inexpensive"(..read cheapo..)auto-darkening helmet and need input/advice on which auto-darkening helmet has the largest viewing window in order to better make an informed decision on my next auto-darkening helmet purchase-I am hearing here in the midwest and at the local retail level that the new Miller Big Window Elite is bigger than a Jackson EQC model ( 4-1/2" X 5-1/4") -Any truth to that statement?-Also does anyone know where these ridiculous costs for auto-darkening helmets can be found for a lower price-
TIA

[H80N]

billxj
I have an older Jackson EQC Journeyman.... and have not been happy with it from day one...from crummy headgear to erratic performance and blurry optics...it has been a disapointment all the way around... bought it because I had used their lightweight cardboard hats for many years and they were an excellent product...(still have a couple) but am afraid that they let themselves go downhill.. not gonna buy any more from them.... Will buy the Miller "Big Window Elite" .... it has gotten excellent reviews and I have looked at them at a local welding supply.. is a quality well made product................ as far as largest window goes ArcOne is advertising their newest as having the largest viewing area in the latest AWS journal.... but have no idea how good or durable it may be...
Hope this helps
Heiti

[ASKANDY]

I just switched a company over to our Elite helmets from ArcOne. The company makes SS headers for the racing market and complained ArcOne electronics would flash at lower amps. Dropped off a demo hood for them and they bought 8 more.

A-

[JWELD]

Have a Speedglas 9000 which is great. Is the Elite better in any over this??

[moe1942]

billxj

billxj,

I am in my 60's, wear tri-focals and purchased the Big Window Elite. It has surpassed my expectations. I can't say enough good about this hood.

I too went down the "cheap" auto-darkening route. That old saying "bought lessons are the best kind" really apply here.

I bought mine, Big Window, at BRWelder. My local dealer couldn't get close.

You won't be disappointed with the Big Window.


moe1942

[H80N]

Moe
I have a couple of the cheapies bought a couple of years ago as backup.... and they are BETTER than the Jackson EQC...(that will show you how the Jackson stacked up in the order of things).... they were worth the $50 bucks for occasional use but for everyday my poor old eyes need the best I can get and that looks like the BIG WINDOW ELITE......
Thanks
Heiti

BTW the headgear on the cheapies is much better than on my EQC... nothing more annoying than having it fall apart all the time!!! (unsnaps the top strap}

[jimg]

JWELD,
Having 2 more sensors might be handy. I think though the 9002 might have 4 now. At any rate, I own a 9000 also and have gotten flashed a few times b/c the sensors were in the wrong orientation relative to the arc. Aside from that the Miller helmets do look better...at least theyre more colorful and less expensive. I doubt theres that much difference in the autodark lens though. In the on state (light state) whats the shade on the Miller? The Speedglas I think is 3 or 5..cant recall which but I like to use that for gas welding and grinding.

Its unclear though if the inside of the lens on the Elite can fog up. The Speedglas has a pretty good venting system and Ive never had a problem w/ fogging.

[DDA52]

Originally posted by jimg
JWELD,
Having 2 more sensors might be handy. I think though the 9002 might have 4 now. At any rate, I own a 9000 also and have gotten flashed a few times b/c the sensors were in the wrong orientation relative to the arc. Aside from that the Miller helmets do look better...at least theyre more colorful and less expensive. I doubt theres that much difference in the autodark lens though. In the on state (light state) whats the shade on the Miller? The Speedglas I think is 3 or 5..cant recall which but I like to use that for gas welding and grinding.

Its unclear though if the inside of the lens on the Elite can fog up. The Speedglas has a pretty good venting system and Ive never had a problem w/ fogging.

jimg
The Big Window's light state is 4. I think the lens might fog a bit in the right conditions. Too early to tell for me. I'm thinking it won't be a big problem. I had to move the hood away from my face to get some breathing room. The headgear has a three position adjustment bringing it either closer or farther away. I was doing a lot of out of position the other day. Not one problem or flash. I can't say enough good about these hoods either.


Moe
Rain's gone finally. Got over 6" since Mon. pm!

Don

[jimg]

Thanx Don,
I suppose if you had a fogging problem a little spit would take care of it pretty quick.

[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

[HAWK]

billxj,


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

[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

[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,

[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....

[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