Reccomendations on helmet?

[Timberwolf]

Been using an auto darkening helmet from Harbor Freight type place for a few years, really it's been pretty decent, other than in cold weather when it gets slow to trigger.

But I'm finding it less than ideal the more TIG I do. Plus I would like to have a helmet I keep clean and clear for nothing but tig work.

Any reccomendations, Doing quite a bit of thin metal low amps with face stuffed in close and have some aluminium projects comming up too.

Looked at the Millar Elite and Digital, nice and light on the head, lots of ajustability on settings. 3 or 4 pickups for the low amp TIG stuff.

Thanks

[gordfraser]

i got a elite after a cheap a/d hood and like it a lot.
you can get a little flash of tig at the end of a crater fill if you set it wrong.
i got a passive miller that uses the same size lenses for that reason (and also as a backup), but i dont use it much...miss the auto dark too much.

woulld i buy another elite.....yes

[yammyman]

Been using a miller elite fo 1yr 8 mo, head gear a little cheap, but it is still all original on mine. No problems yet, I use 44lbs of wire every other day.

[DSW]

Another vote for the Miller elite. I tried as many AD hoods as I could get my hands on and I liked the fit and feel of the Miller the best personally. I have not regretted the investment.

[Craig in Denver]

I have to turn my helmet on when I use it. But it shuts itself off around 30 minutes. Since I weld, fit, drill, weld, drill, pee etc. I may not weld for 32 minutes, I had better remember to turn it back on. I won't have another helmet that doesn't auto-on. This isn't a harbor frite helmet: Sellstrom, about 8 years old, $300.

Things I like: easily 'findable' AA batteries, standard flat protective lens.

I'd like: 4 sensors (been flashed with 2), low amp TIG ability, lighter, something to hold my cheater lens, bigger knobs (mine are 5/16" diameter with small adj blades and tiny stenciling).

[Timberwolf]

I did not really like the look of the tiny adjustment knobs on the Miller, Thats where I thought the Digital might be an advantage, buttons could be pressed with gloved hand. I do like the external adjustment on my old AD though, can reach up and adjust without taking the helmet off, but sometimes the knob has gotten it's self screwed off to 8 when I wanted 11 or up to 13 when I wanted 8 or 9.

[CharleyL]

We just upgraded to (2) digital elites. The X mode with the electronic arc sensor is terrific for situations like low current TIG or when you are working out in the sun. We have been doing both lately and are really appreciating the extra bucks we spent on the digital elites.

CharleyL

[tigdaman]

I used a speedglas 9000 series for about 8 years, it was a great helmet and really light but it was quite easy to obstruct the sensors. I now use the Kemppi Beta 90X. its a bit more weighty than the speedglas but its still comfortable, Its got good reaction time, hard to obstruct the sensors, Its got lots of adjustment for shade and reaction speed, Its solar powered so no need to worry about batteries and its got a flip front with clear lens underneath for grinding, sharpening tungsten etc. You never need to take it off!!

[brandon113]

I been using a Speedglas 9002 for years and love it, really light and it always works.....Reaction time is really quick. When it wears out will buy another one just like it.....

Brandon

[SundownIII]

Timberwolf,

If you're going to spend the money on an elite series hood, do yourself a favor and go with the digital.

I used a standard BWE for the last couple years. Got so it was flashing me a bit on lo amp tig (may have been blocking the sensors). Plus, the older BWE's only went down to a shade 9.

Recently got a BWE digital and love the hood. Headgear is a little cheezy (replaced it once on the old hood) but it is very comfortable.

Only thing I don't like about the BWE digital, is having to turn it on after only about 30 min of non welding. Get used to it though.

[Timberwolf]

Thanks Sundown and others, thats the way I was thinking, bit of money, but sounds like it's built for the job. having to turn it on is going to be a learning curve, but learned to do tougher things.

Just need to check price local and then see if it's close enough to justify not buying on line.

[Unklmo]

for what it's worth, i'm a fan of the Optrel line
http://www.optrel.com/us/index.php?site=products
https://weldingsupply.securesites.co...OR:terms::PR10

i use an Optrel Satellite (now called an E680) for all my tigging, it really lets me get in close when i need to and you can adjust the filter range on the fly just by turning the dial while you weld. and i use the older style (more of a square than newer ergo model) shades 10-11 for the dirty smoky jobs.
and if things get too damn bright (ie; mig Alu, i throw a tinted inside lens in).

[yammyman]

I had a Optrel Satellite for almost 4 years, it was a good helmet, problem with those is once the internal battery goes dead, the helmet is shot. I know a lot of guys from our factory that had theirs for less than a year and a half, and they had to throw them away. At least the Millers and others you can replace the battery.

[Sparky#1]

Originally Posted by yammyman

I had a Optrel Satellite for almost 4 years, it was a good helmet, problem with those is once the internal battery goes dead, the helmet is shot. I know a lot of guys from our factory that had theirs for less than a year and a half, and they had to throw them away. At least the Millers and others you can replace the battery.

This is no longer an issue because the batteries are replaceable. What also sets this helmet apart is you can put it in grind mode without removing it which rocks. The E680 is slightly different than the Satelite. I'm waiting for this to be available because I want it. I currently have the Speedglas 9100XX which is second to none.

[yammyman]

Good to hear those battery's are replaceable now. We had alot , and i mean alot, of angry welders in our shop because of those optrels.!!! lol

[Sparky#1]

Originally Posted by yammyman

Good to hear those battery's are replaceable now. We had alot , and i mean alot, of angry welders in our shop because of those optrels.!!! lol

All of you guys that had failed helmets should have lit a fire under Sperian's *** to replace them.

[Graydevil]

I my self have the digital elite and love it my teacher said my welds have improved a lot just by changing helmets.. I think its because i can see more of the weld area verses 1.5" viewing area.. thats just my 2 cents well worth the 300 I payed on ebay.

[yammyman]

All of you guys that had failed helmets should have lit a fire under Sperian's *** to replace them.

A fire was lit, but it wasn't under Sperian's ***. Poor plant manager!! lol

As for bigger viewing area, changing helmets doesnt help, I have the darkness on 13 shade except for when welding butt joints on 16 gauge or thinner, so I cant see to far past the welding blob anyway. It sure is nice for tacking though.

[Jamie Webb]

I have used a HF hood and now I have a Miller hood (for about 2 years now). I wouldn't trade my Miller hood for anything.

[Timberwolf]

Had gas to exchange today and they didn't have a digital in stock and their price was a bit high, so might just order one on line. Like to shop local if I can, but $75 - $100 difference time shipping is paid is a bit much.

[welderman1]

I like my old fashin flip-lense jackson.. I have used it for over 15 years tool and die welding and it hasen't failed me yet.

[loudnproud]

if you're under 50-75 amps or so, a shade 9 gold lens is fairly easy to see out of if you have to leave the hood down. especially if you have at least one light near the work area. for AD helmets look at the jackson lineup like nexgen or the EQC variable. what i don't like about the miller elite is the curved cover lenses are expensive but you may not have to change them much for just tig work.

[GiddyWelder]

What about using a accu-strike helmet?

[DesertRider33]

I like the Jackson EQC Pro Variable lens. I have 2 and am very happy with both. Tough, reliable, last long time, work great in all conditions. The new Halo-X hood is lighter than the old HSL-100 too.

[Graydevil]

Here is the place where i got mine and they ship fast and its free shipping.. http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Welding-...0436331?_rdc=1