I'm just curious if any of you have found a good deal on an auto darkening helmet and are pleased with it's quality as well. Usually "You get what you pay for" comes into play and I've been very displeased w/ some older helmets I had(non-auto darkening). Just LMK if you have a good link or a reccomendation. Thanks.

Phil

 

Quality and afforidability dont go together if you ask me , but I have a speedglass 9002 and i love it.

 

That's the one I got. I didn't really want to cheapen out. It's good for what I do. Now to find a pair of gloves that don't burn me when welding aluminum but still allows me to maneuver just as easy.

 

Torch hand getting hot?

I use a big MIG glove for my torch hand when its getting a little toasty.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NAPIER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Quality and afforidability dont go together if you ask me , but I have a speedglass 9002 and i love it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have the same lid and i love it.

remember this is somthing that portects your eyes, i would send the $$ and get a nice lid

-alex

 

my miller ellite has never faulted. i'd buy it again if i had to. had it for 2 years now.

 

Why not quality, and affordability?

I love my helmet. :heart:



XLix Series

Featuring our new replaceable-battery solar-assist Performance Series lens technology (no recharging required), the XLix helmets are the perfect choice for hobbyists and light-duty industrial applications. They'll handle low-amperage TIG applications (5 amps), and inverter arcs with ease! For a larger window and four arc sensors, check out our new Elite Series.

Analog controls provide quick concise adjustments. 9-13 Shade Control is externally adjusted, Lens Sensitivity and Delay (.10-1.0 sec) are internally adjusted. Viewing field is 3.85 x 1.85 in (97 x 47 mm).
Two independent arc sensors provide continuous arc-sensing capability. Lens darkening reaction time is 1/20,000 sec.
Battery-powered (replaceable), with solar-assist for exceptionally long life (2,000 hours on MIG), no recharging required. Features auto-off circuitry at 15-20 minutes, and low battery indicator.
Lens technology responds to low amperage TIG applications, including DC inverter arcs (5 amps). Helmet will also accommodate magnifying lenses.
Lightweight, comfortable and well-balanced design – 16 oz (454 g). Includes our exclusive fatigue reducing Comfort Cushion, Helmet Bag, and Replacement Cover Lenses. A combined $25.00 value!
2-year limited warranty. -10°C to 55°C (14°F to 131°F Operating Temperature. ANSI, CSA Approved

 

HF helmet: $49

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91212

 

I recommend a Jackson Journeyman, which is what I have. It's a great helmet. I bought it for ~$160 2 years ago. I've been seeing them on eBay for $100 lately. I've never gotten flashed with this helmet, not even in dark places. It's a battery powered helmet, so there's no need to charge it. I still have the original batteries in it (2 AAA batteries).

In my opinion, shade adjustability isn't needed. If you have dark eyes, get a shade 10. If you have light color eyes, get a shade 11.

 

i personally like the nex-gen by jackson

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by miller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i personally like the nex-gen by jackson </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, those are very nice too.

 

i like my HF 60$ auto special

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by miller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i personally like the nex-gen by jackson </TD></TR></TABLE>

I am extremely happy with my Jackson NexGen

 

miller elite here.... lovin it too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Justin Olson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">HF helmet: $49

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...91212

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have the helmet and still use it for mig welding, but trust me there is a huge difference over that helmet and a miller helmet, specially when it comes to tig welding.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I have the helmet and still use it for mig welding, but trust me there is a huge difference over that helmet and a miller helmet, specially when it comes to tig welding. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed. Most people who like other helmets, have never tried one of the nice Millers. I have used several brands of helmets, and Miller is by far the best.

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I don't expect it to be super cheap just not insanely expensive. I'll look into the Jackson Nex Gen since I see more than a couple of people are pleased w/ it.

Phil

 

jackson next gen's are nice, but i used my miller, and my buddies next gen and i saw no difference in anything except for a little bit bigger window. But now miller offers a big window auto tint for still less money. All the jackson hood's are, jackson shadow hoods with a 300 dollar lense wich i was kinda dissapointed in. But it works great, but you get a lil more bling with the miller.

 

ive used my miller elite everyday for over a year, huge differnce from other brands. Still has original battery too.

I liked it enough to buy a 2nd one.

 

maybe im just old skool, but my traditional welding helmet is fine for me.

 

Im lovin my miller elite big window. The only time i have had a problem with it darkening is when im welding the base of a collector. With my big aircooled torch, and my big hands there isn't much room for the sensors to get trigered. I just have to position myself so i can expose the sensors a little better.

Part of my problem is porbably welding in a garage with the door open a few feet away. Doh!

 

miller BWE

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zclee.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">maybe im just old skool, but my traditional welding helmet is fine for me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

when you at angles where it starts to flash you, adjust your sensitivity up a lil

 

Miller Elite &lt;--- owned two of them. 1st one I sold with my first tig..and then I bought another. no problems what so ever

 

amen for the miller bigwindow

ill never use another helmet.