UV & IR protection with filter failure

[burninbriar]

I've abandoned my search for a great deal and am now going for a reputable helmet from a reputable dealer.I have it narrowed down to the Optrel Satellite and the Miller Big Window.The Optrel specs show that it has a UV & IR protection of 14 in the event of totat filter failure.I could not find this value for the Big Window.I would like to know if this is common to auto dark helmet technology in general or unique to the optrel.I have done quite a bit of research on this and came up empty handed.
When I was just stick welding I never had a desire for an auto dark but now with the tig I can definately see the advantage.I'm sure it will do wonders to keep my tungsten clean.This buying a helmet has proven to be more difficult than buying a car for me.I'l be glad when its over.

[Compchassis]

Everything I have ever read about auto darkening lenses indicates that all of them filter out all of the harmfull UV light even when they arent on. The only thing the auto dark does is shade the visible light.

[fun4now]

BWE filters

i have forgotten to turn mine on and been flashed without any i'll efects.keep in mind this was my fault not the helmit.
that said you seem to have it narowed down to 2 fine helmits that will take good care of your eys. so go to a dealer and try them on see how they feel and look if looks are an isue. from here it is just personal preferance.

[burninbriar]

Optrel claims it is impossible to get welder flash even if it does not darken.This seems rather incredible to me but they have it printed as fact.I have heard of people getting flash burn with auto darks not darkening,perhaps I misunderstood mistaking flash for flash burn.I got this info at www.uvex.com/pages/products/pdf/weldingFAQ.pdf .

[HAWK]

burninbriar,

You have narrowed your choice down to my two favorite helmets. I own and use both the Miller Big Window Elite and the Optrel Satellite. Both are great. I use the Miller more for GTAW and the Optrel for MIG and STICK. As for being flashed I have struck an arc w/o turning on the Miller. It was bright, but no damage. That was my fault!!! From the looks of your link the Optrel will also get very bright, but not let in the UV/IR radiation. I think the Miller works the same way. Call 920-735-4505 and ask for applications dealing with the BWE if you want to be 100% sure.

Here is what I have found to be the basic differences:

The Miller has an on/off switch, it turns off after 15 minutes, there is no grind button-you can grind by turning the sensitivity all the way down to low, all the controls are inside the helmet, the head gear is most comfortable to me. It has a battery and a solar assist to help maintain the battery life. The overall helmet life should be longer according to what I have read about battery versus straight solar units. This Miller seems more responsive to low light TIG even though the Optrel has a low light level from 5-9 and regular 9-13 adjustment as well.

The Optrel has no switch and is always ready to weld, if it has an off state it just jumps back to life the moment the arc is struck, it does have a grind mode by pushing a button and is indicated by a flashing red led inside the helmet, be sure you are not in this grind mode when striking arc-wow how bright and blinding, all the controls are outside, the head gear is comfortable-not as much as the BWE, it has no battery-straight solar power. I neglected mine for 3 months when I got the Miller BWE and left it in a dark cabinet. When I did pull it out and struck the arc all was fine!

I have to say it is a tough decision. I had the Optrel Satellite first and the Miller BWE came along after that. However, I like both and would have a hard time giving up either one.

[Slaghand]

I have the NEXTGEN (did i spell that right? never look at it, just use it to death!) Havent had any problems at all. Plus it has a huge! window (my eyes aint so good no more.) I know alot of guys don't like them but it works very well for me, and have never been flashed yet. Bet i forget one day to turn it on! Now-- what was i saying? Oh! yeah! Made in USA also. Just my opinion.

[burninbriar]

Thanks Hawk.I called Miller and they said the Big Window does provide the UV & IR protection in the off state.I think he told me not all auto darks provide this but I really cant remember and dont want to call back and bother them just for that.He said this info is in the maual that comes with the unit and should have been included in the web site specs.This will be corrected.
I got a kick out of this on Optrel's data page https://www.uvex.com/pages/products/...lsatellite.pdf .Its odd that a company dealing in safety products would show people welding with no gloves and short sleave shirts.
I'm ready to just flip a coin to decide.

[imported_Slag]

I was leaning towards getting the Miller but after reading about the grinding button on the Optrel I will probably have to go with it.

I don't think I could handle having to turn down the sensitivity and then back up to where it was every time I went from weld to grind and back to weld.

HAWK, how easy is it to change the sensitivity on the Miller? If it is inside, are the controls in a place you can reach without taking the shield off? Are they big enough to set with gloves on?

Thanks.

[Leons2003]

For me, I'm not going to grind w/my BWE on. I would rather use my face shield or goggles, get the hood of my punkin haid, LOL
Have a goood ole big 'un
L*S

[fun4now]

Slag

the sensitivity is on the inside, all the controles on the bwe are on the inside. you could adjust them thith tig gloves for shoure,and some MIG gloves, but not wile wearing the helmit.
i take off my hood for grinding and use my shield most of the time but have used the hood for quick grinds if you dont shoot sparks right at ya and you dont have the sensitivity all the way up it works fine, just depends on the settings you are welding with.

[HAWK]

Thanks Hawk.I called Miller and they said the Big Window does provide the UV & IR protection in the off state.I think he told me not all auto darks provide this but I really cant remember and dont want to call back and bother them just for that.He said this info is in the maual that comes with the unit and should have been included in the web site specs.This will be corrected.
I got a kick out of this on Optrel's data page https://www.uvex.com/pages/products/...lsatellite.pdf .Its odd that a company dealing in safety products would show people welding with no gloves and short sleave shirts.
I'm ready to just flip a coin to decide.

Do you think they even realize what they have done?

[HAWK]

I was leaning towards getting the Miller but after reading about the grinding button on the Optrel I will probably have to go with it.

I don't think I could handle having to turn down the sensitivity and then back up to where it was every time I went from weld to grind and back to weld.

HAWK, how easy is it to change the sensitivity on the Miller? If it is inside, are the controls in a place you can reach without taking the shield off? Are they big enough to set with gloves on?

Thanks.

Slag,


You will have to be bare handed to change the buttons in the Miller BWE. You must also remove the helmet from your head to do it. I really like the BWE for its inside controls, but they can also be a disadvantage.

[burninbriar]

Do you think they even realize what they have done?

I gave them a call and pointed it out,it seemed like the right thing to do.

[HAWK]

Cool. What did they say?

[burninbriar]

They just thanked me and told me it had been reported previously and they thought it was taken care of.Apperntly they had the fotos in other places also.They definately intend to correct this one by the way they acted.No free helmet though.