Miller Infinity vs Balder

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I am starting welding school next month and have done a lot of research in the last week on hoods. Forum user Gamble helped me a bit and I pretty much decided to go with the Miller Infinity hood. I considered the Optrel e684 but it seems overpriced with a small window and maybe somewhat gimmicky eventhough the clarity supposedly rivals Balder. For some reason Balder distributors here in the US only have the one model available but the rest of their high end products all have just the 2 sensors as well. So here are my questions-Is there any noticable/major difference in clarity between the big window Infinity and Balder helmets?-How are they different when viewing from an angle?-How are the colors?I've read that some hoods have ghosting issues. I'm not worried about the price just don't want to wind up with something I will regret.Thanks for your input.
Reply:I researched lens technology extensively before buying a hood and all roads led to Balder's Grand GDS lens. Balder licensed their Angular Dependence Compensation technology to Esab, Honeywell, and Optrel. Kimberly-Clark (Jackson's parent company) then bought Balder and for some reason unknown to me, they only import helmets with the Grand DS sensor. The difference between the Grand GDS and the DS is that the GDS has external controls, a grind mode, and it does shades 6-8 in addition to 9-13. The GDS is a feature-packed lens, however the Jackson BH3 imported into the US only has the lesser DS. Additionally, the Jackson BH3 pricing seems to vary and is often more expensive than buying the Balder abroad and importing it. With respect to how well it works, seven people who have tried on my helmet have retired theirs and bought the Balder BH3. The helmets put on the shelf include a lot of high-dollar pieces that were once held out to be 'the best'. If you're going to buy a Balder, buy it from UKWelder.com. The price you'll pay is £195, not the price inclusive of VAT. If I recall correctly, I paid something like $30 USD to have it shipped, which was the cheapest option, but it was delivered the next day by DHL.-Chris
Reply:I would look at the Speedglass 9100xx. I know you've already made up your mind but it's the best hood I've ever owned. I used to own a Miller hood and the Speedglass is in another class. I would also recommend the Sellstrom 290 for a fixed shade hood.
Reply:Thanks for your info. After poking around online some more I have decided to go with the Optrel e684 and be done with it. I'm just starting welding school for crying out loud and been driving myself insane with trying to find the best clarity headgear. After my first semester (welding level I) is over I might just put up a newbie review.
Reply:Originally Posted by UllihundiThanks for your info. After poking around online some more I have decided to go with the Optrel e684 and be done with it. I'm just starting welding school for crying out loud and been driving myself insane with trying to find the best clarity headgear. After my first semester (welding level I) is over I might just put up a newbie review.
Reply:All the helmets you mentioned are excellent,  you will be happy with any of them.   You may find you like one helmet for tig,  but a different one for mig or stick. Ask to try other people's hoods, that's really the best way to do it.  Sent from mobile.  Not responsible for TyposLast edited by soutthpaw; 12-25-2015 at 08:29 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Good idea southpaw. Now that I finally setled on a good hood to start with I will figure out along the way what else might be usable for me. Thanks.
Reply:When it came time for my Dual-Shield test I put down my new Autodark and picked up the old Jackson flip-front. I don't need a shade 3 to inspect my welds and chip. The color and clarity of that simple lens was perfect.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinWhen it came time for my Dual-Shield test I put down my new Autodark and picked up the old Jackson flip-front. I don't need a shade 3 to inspect my welds and chip. The color and clarity of that simple lens was perfect.