Auto-darkening helmet

[fatjay]

I have 2 harbor freight auto dark helmets, and I love them. When I welded 15-20 years ago, those things were priced as though they were made out of gold, so I didn't have one. 15 years of not welding, I got back into it a year ago, and picked up the first helmet for $35 on sale. No batteries, variable darkness, 2 sensativity settings, variable response time to dark, and easily adjustable by turning a locking knob in the back. I bought a second for a friend who wanted to watch me weld, and if the first one ever went bad.

As far as hours of use I've gone through 3 spools of wire so far, so it's worked for at least that long.

I tried to watch the eclipse last summer through it, normal sun is bright enough to trip the tinting, but during the eclipse it didn't receive enough "light" to trigger the tint.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have 2 harbor freight auto dark helmets, and I love them. When I welded 15-20 years ago, those things were priced as though they were made out of gold, so I didn't have one. 15 years of not welding, I got back into it a year ago, and picked up the first helmet for $35 on sale. No batteries, variable darkness, 2 sensativity settings, variable response time to dark, and easily adjustable by turning a locking knob in the back. I bought a second for a friend who wanted to watch me weld, and if the first one ever went bad.

As far as hours of use I've gone through 3 spools of wire so far, so it's worked for at least that long.

I tried to watch the eclipse last summer through it, normal sun is bright enough to trip the tinting, but during the eclipse it didn't receive enough "light" to trigger the tint.

I had bad luck right out of the box with the HF auto dark I bought. The adjustable shade control didn't seem to work. Returned it (decided not to exchange it) and bought the cheapest Miller. Works much better... glad I upgraded.

 

[jrdepew]

I have the auto darkening helmet from Northern Tool. It worked very well for MIG and Stick welding. I recently got a tig and was doing some lower amp stuff (<50A), and kept getting flashed. I tried cleaning the helmet and adjusting the sensitivity, but was still getting the occasional flash.

The headgear was total junk on this helmet in my opinion, and did not last long, even though I don't weld all that much. I had taken apart an old fixed shade helmet and adapted the headgear over. It was muuuuch better. When the auto lens stated to flash me, I put the headgear back on the fixed helmet to finish the project. Let's just say I will never go back to a fixed lens, but I will keep it around for emergencies. Being a hobby welder without a ton of hood time, the auto lens improves my welding and I get the project done much much faster. This is especially true when I am tacking stuff together. No more flipping the hood, zap, flip, move, flip, zap, etc. Just..zap, move, zap, move, etc.

I bit the bullet yesterday and ordered a Lincoln Viking 2450. It has 4 sensors for the auto darkening function, and is supposed to have incredible clarity. I was a first time buyer from WeldingsuppliesfromIOC.com and got 15 dollars off, and free shipping. Total bill was 185.00....which is a lot of money...but I hope it lasts many years, and won't flash me when I am doing low amp TIG.

 

[Evan03]

I take being able to see well while im welding seriously. I welded a alof with a fixed miller helmet then upgraded to a viking auto then to miller digital infinity and now a digital infinity with clear light lense
The progression in lense technology is amazing i can see impurities floating around in weld puddle with new clear light lense that ive never seen before.

I weld a fair amount at work and at home and one of the best investments ive made has been investing in good welding glass. Its been a long time since ive ran a bead and ran off course because i coudnt see where im going.

The detail of puddle wetting in through the clear lighg is crazy.
The Viking and other helmets also have comparable lenses.

Id almost get cheaper welder and good glass because i know i could lay down a good weld with peice of **** welder if i can see

 

[BrokenTrack]

When I welded full time (welder at a shipyard) I had a $400 auto helmet and it worked extremely well, but then I welded 8 hours a day too. Now that I am retired I have a harbor Freight Auto Helmet at home and it is plenty for what I need.

 

[lennyzx11]

I want to get a larger viewing area one. But for now, I've been using this one with 110 & 220 volt mig flux core and have to say it has been working flawlessly so far.
I was worried because it was the cheapest I'd found but no complaints so far with it.

Welding Helmet, Tacklife PAH01D Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Adjustable Shade Range DIN 9-13/Grind DIN 4 and 4 Premium Sensors, Highest Optical Class (1/1/1/1), High Impact Polyamide Welding Helmet, Tacklife PAH1D Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Adjustable Shade Range DIN 9-13/Grind DIN 4 and 4 Premium Sensors, Highest Optical Class (1/1/1/1), High Impact Polyamide - - Amazon.com

 

[dragoneggs]

When I welded full time (welder at a shipyard) I had a $400 auto helmet and it worked extremely well, but then I welded 8 hours a day too. Now that I am retired I have a harbor Freight Auto Helmet at home and it is plenty for what I need.

My HF helmet was defective. The adjustment feature didn't work

 

[Millalien]

I've got the HF $35 helmet as well and it doesn't seem like the adjustment feature really works. Also, I can't see ahead of the pool, and that's got me looking to spend more $$ for a helmet with better visibility. I've been able to get some stuff done with the HF helmet and could probably live with it, but it's a little frustrating.

 

[jgriffin1720]

I have a miller digital elite and a pipeliner with the digital lens like shieldarc uses. I use the digital elite for bench welding and fab work and the pipeliner for out of position work or when i know im going to be getting sparks or slag in my face. I tried a hf auto darkening hood once to do about 20 minutes of stick welding at a friend's house (he is only a hobbyist and it was a critical weld, he was nervous about doing it himself) and it killed my eyes. I have light blue eyes so I am more sensitive than some people will be. My opinion is for value, get a pipeliner.

 

[ArlyA]

Re: Auto-darkening helmet review

Ive been using this helmet and HF ones on and off since this post was made in December. I cringe whenever I don't have this Tacklife to use. Visibility between the two is black and white in difference.

With a little blizzard happening here the past two days, this afforded me time out of the field and back into the school shop. So this is a mini review of the Tacklife PAH03D welding helmet which this thread, impressed me to purchase.

I should have got a a better helmet years ago! Gee whiz, I can see again! The Tacklife PAH03D controls are very nice, easy to use and understand, plus the helmet is quite light. There is a slight green tint when the darkening is not engaged which does not bother me. The only thing I'm not impressed with, as another responder had mentioned, its head gear doesn't appear to be very durable. I'll agree but i don't do all that much welding anyway. I added decals to the helmet, so as kids don't use or run off with it.

Hope you guys enjoyed my amateur impressions.