Auto-Darkening Helmet

[bigtiller]

I see this one at Northern Tool.

Hobart XVX Series Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, Model# 770627 | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

Do I really need a $300 mask that switches in 1/20,000 of a second?

Would a $150 mask that switches in 1/12,000 of a second satisfy the average guy?

Is an $80 mask that switches in 1/3,000 of a second going to make my eyes tired after a couple hours use?

What about all the other bells and whistles that each price range has, do they work? Are they desired by the average welder?

I know just about nothing about this but I decided if I can spend $80 for a hat to keep the sun off the top of my head, I should be able to spend a bit more for eye protection even though I only weld a dozen times a year or so.

 

[stoatspur]

I've got an auto darkening from HF that cost me $49 five years ago. It still works. I don't weld that much but the helmet makes things a lot easier.

 

[deereman75]

I got the Lincoln viking helmet. Costs a lot less, and is 1/25000 switching speed.

 

[k0ua]

I see this one at Northern Tool.

Hobart XVX Series Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, Model# 770627 | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

Do I really need a $300 mask that switches in 1/20,000 of a second?

Would a $150 mask that switches in 1/12,000 of a second satisfy the average guy?

Is an $80 mask that switches in 1/3,000 of a second going to make my eyes tired after a couple hours use?

What about all the other bells and whistles that each price range has, do they work? Are they desired by the average welder?

I know just about nothing about this but I decided if I can spend $80 for a hat to keep the sun off the top of my head, I should be able to spend a bit more for eye protection even though I only weld a dozen times a year or so.

I have this one, it is 1/25,000 of a second..It seems to work well for me. but only 2 sensors, not 4 and no bag..or spare lenses.. The reason for 4 sensors, is once in a while when you are working around a structure and sticking your head between some elements of that structure, you can obscure the sensors and wind up flashing yourself.. It has only happened to me twice, but it can happen.. The 4 sensor products make this less likely. If you take care and are conscious of the likelihood of shielding the sensors, you will be fine with a 2 sensor helmet.. Of course there are no problems when welding out in the open, just when you are threading your head through your work. You decide, but for me the $40 buck helmet is good enough.

Wel-Bilt Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

James K0UA

 

[BlacknTan]

Since I've gotten used to an auto darkening shield, I don't think I could ever go back again. A bit of modern technology that I now can't do without.

I don't know how many sensors, or the sensitivity but it works like a charm... Unless I forget to turn it on!

 

[Shield Arc]

One thing to consider with a lot of the auto darking hoods, is the cost of the clear cover lenses.
I have one of each of these, I think the Arc One is just a touch better than the Miller.

Miller Auto-Darkening Welding Lens - 2 X 4 Fixed Shade 770226


Airgas - ArcOneｮ 2" X 4 1/4" Singlesｮ Fixed Shade 10 Auto Darkening Welding Lens For Fixed Front And Lift Front Helmets

 

[bigdeano]

One thing I learned the hard way, don't buy a solar powered helmet that doesn't also have a battery. In low ambient light conditions, like indoors, it won't respond fast enough and you'll get flashed. I haven't looked at the one you're considering, but it's something to be aware of.

 

[Groo]

if you are really worried about getting flashed, just blink as you hit the trigger.

 

[JimRB]

Like Bigdeano I had a solar powered. If I forgot to store it so it got light it was useless. I have an old Miller or Hobart with a battery that also is variable. It works pretty well.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a couple of the solar powered ones and have never had a problem with it not working except the one that got full of salt water from my sweat dripping into it. It shorted out and quit working but never failed to work prior to that. I just hang mine on a hook on the wall when not using it and it stays charged. I had a battery powered one and forgot to remove the batteries once during prolonged non-use and they went dead then leaked into the battery compartment destroying my SpeedGlass hood and lens. I have never bought another high dollar hood and they all work well IMO.

By the way, even if the lens doesnt darken, you still have 100% UV protection so you wont get flash burned. Flash burn doesnt happen instantly with one flash either although it doesnt take but a few none protected arc flashes to give you scratchy eyes. IT is just like a sunburn on your skin. Over exposure to UV will burn your eyeball just like the sun which is why when we go out in bright light without sunglasses our eyes get scratchy, slight case of sun burned eyeballs. I have had many cases of flash burn in my life mostlyfrom reflected light from walls or shiny objects behind me like stainless steel vessel walls or leaking hoods when welding. Always check your hood prior to using it, especially after changing clear lens, by putting it on and passing a bright light around the perimeter from the outside and looking for light leaking in. An improperly seated lens gasket will get you a bad case of burned eyes before you know it, kinda like laying outside on a cool cloudy day.

 

[Eddie89]

On the more expensive hoods you can change the darkness on it. The one I had went from a 7 to a 10. So it worked very well all the time and was solar and battery powered. Never had a prob with it just hit the reset button before you start welding.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Even the cheap $49 hoods have variable lens shades and delay setting. Delay in going back light not like some folks think it is delay in darkening, why would anyone think you would want a delay in the darkening when welding, DUH> One thing some of the high end hoods have is a setting for grinding so the lens doesnt darken from the sparks. My $49 Harbor Freight has variable from 8-12 shade but you cant grind with it because it darkens as soon as the first sparks come of the grinder.
Having this option would be nice but I can remove my hood and put on my faceshield lots of times before paying $300 for a hood when the welding lens part works just as well.

 

[flusher]

I used a $50 AD helmet from Northern Tool

Wel-Bilt Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet | Welding Helmets | Northern Tool + Equipment

Works fine--never been flashed.
My concern is more about UV getting inside the helmet via reflections off my jacket into the chin area and from reflections off stuff that's behind me. I generally wear a pair of UV400 goggles under my helmet to eliminate this problem.

 

[k0ua]

As for the solar units not working because they are stored in the dark, yes that is true, but it only takes a couple of minutes in the light to charge them up. At least that has been my experience, and I always test any AD hood before welding by looking up close at a bright light to see if it works. On my old battery powered Jackson, I have found it not to work due to dead battery's several times, and always tested before welding. Just seems like common sense to me. Neither of mine have a grind mode, but I just take it off and put on the face shield. I am not doing welding and fabrication for a business I am repairing things and building mostly as a hobby. If I was a welding professional I might buy a better, more time saving helmet. But for me the 42 dollar Northern Tool solar powered unit is a great value.

James K0UA

 

[dstig1]

They all have a battery in them, even the "pure solar" versions, AFAIK. They need it to store some level of energy to keep the unit working when there isn't quite enough light (like when you aren't yet welding). Some make it easy to change those batteries, others not so easy as they are permanently installed and you would have to tear the unit apart and possibly do some soldering to replace it. The solar cells provide a boost and operating power when welding, but they can't stay on in dim light conditions without a battery, so the cell helps charge that too.

 

[bigtiller]

Do you guys with the auto-darkening masks miss the big lens?

My mask has a lens that is 4.5 x 5.25 inches and it seams that a 2x4 inch would be hard to get accustomed to?

 

[Jeepnford]

Do you guys with the auto-darkening masks miss the big lens?

My mask has a lens that is 4.5 x 5.25 inches and it seams that a 2x4 inch would be hard to get accustomed to?

I have a Miller hood and the window is a little smaller than that but it's the only hood I've ever owned so I guess I don't miss the larger window. However, in my first welding class I used an old non-auto hood and I hated having to flip the helmet when starting the arc.

 

[Shield Arc]

I tried one of those big lens welding hoods once. When I struck an arc all that light about scared me to death:shocked:! I thought Russia dropped the big one:laughing:! Never again, I'll stick to what I know.

 

[k0ua]

They all have a battery in them, even the "pure solar" versions, AFAIK. They need it to store some level of energy to keep the unit working when there isn't quite enough light (like when you aren't yet welding). Some make it easy to change those batteries, others not so easy as they are permanently installed and you would have to tear the unit apart and possibly do some soldering to replace it. The solar cells provide a boost and operating power when welding, but they can't stay on in dim light conditions without a battery, so the cell helps charge that too.

Well I think some solar powered welding helmets DO have a battery also, and I think some DON'T. The high capacity storage capacitor is very common now, with typical ratings of 5 volts and 1 Farad of capacity. Typically these are about the size of 2 nickels stacked on top of each other. These capacitors are commonly used as backup "battery's" in a lot of microprocessor controlled devices. They are not battery's they are capacitors in that they can stand being totally discharged for long periods and countless times without being damaged like a battery would be. My helmet is often stored in the dark for long periods, and it just takes a couple of minutes in the light to charge up and become operational. May be a fine point the difference a lithium battery and a High density storage capacitor, but they are a different thing.

James K0UA

 

[cowski]

i have an old jackson fiberglass helmet with a big lens.that has been my helmet for 30 years.i have made many welds in tight places by looking through the corners.i also use a jackson nexgen .i have a harbor freight for tack welding with the mig.the harbor freight only has one advantage over the nexgen,you do not have to turn it on.the nexgon is superior in every other way.i also have a helmet with a gold lens.i use all 4 helmets depending on what i am welding.they each have their advantages.if you wanted a auto helmet and could afford it i would recommend a nexgen.if i could only have one of my helmets it would be the old big window jackson.