Welding Hood - Best Hood December 28th 2013 - Comparison

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[QUOTE=otpowell;21436]Hi guys, I haven't seen too many newer comparisons since the balder helmets came out..  Anyone have first hand experience comparing these hoods please share your experience.  I have a $150 dollar lincoln hood and today I couldn't see where to stop welding.  It could be a light issue or maybe I'm looking for an excuse to buy a really nice helmet.  I use my lincoln on shade 10 most of the time.  I'm thinking if I get a better hood, it will help with the clarity?  Perhaps I'm wrong?  Looking for the best welding hood under $500.   I figured it couldn't hurt to have a real nice helmet.  Really considering the balder helmet because it's a very reasonable price right now.  Plus the lens is blue in dark mode instead of the normal green.  That's appealing to me but of course it's trivial as long as I can see and comfortable.    Miller Titanium VSJackson Balder VSSpeedglas VSOptrel Satellite
Reply:This is the last hood you would ever need to buy. I have this same one since I was in school like 100 years ago. It hasn't ever never failed me yet and never needs batteries! It IS THE BEST HOOD you can get and always will be!
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTThis is the last hood you would ever need to buy. I have this same one since I was in school like 100 years ago. It hasn't ever never failed me yet and never needs batteries! It IS THE BEST HOOD you can get and always will be!
Reply:Really,  without actually trying to weld with them, it's a crapshoot.  Everyone's eyes are different.   The only comparative model I think you left out is Jackson WS60 Truesight..I have red/green color blindness so unless you do also, I can't make a recommendationSent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger 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:Originally Posted by VPTThis is the last hood you would ever need to buy. I have this same one since I was in school like 100 years ago. It hasn't ever never failed me yet and never needs batteries! It IS THE BEST HOOD you can get and always will be!
Reply:See if anyone near you has any hoods you can try.  Just ask here. Also that Jackson deal ends on the 31st.  Gamble is the only one that didn't care for them, but he loves Chicom welders and plasma so what does that tell you?  :beer::sly: For just over 100 bucks you really can't go wrong.   I sent one of mine back cuz didn't need two of them.   You can get the smaller lens one for about $75 after rebate.  Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger 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:Originally Posted by forhireVPT, are you running a gold lens?
Reply:I hope this is not a double response. I am new to this site. I just bought an ESAB AD/xl 6-13 a couple of months ago. It is the best hood I have ever used!! The clarity is amazing! The colors are great. I do mostly tig. When you strike an arc-you can actually see the blue arc come off the end of the tungsten. The aluminum is still silver-just watch it turn molten and liquid. Ha! I have the large viewing area and can actually see where I am going. The ESAB is a little pricey-$375. at my LWS. But, I have Miller, Lincoln, and Arc One hoods. They are hanging on the wall of my shop drawing dust!Last edited by 'Stang; 12-29-2013 at 10:52 PM.
Reply:Yikes! If that Uvex in the first post is marked down $130,686, it must be the best deal!
Reply:would this qualify? Attached Imagesi.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I dont like balder helmets for mig welding because of the blue lens, its somehow hard to see the puddle clearly, but that's just me. For me Spedglass wins for best optics, durability and comfort (9100 model not the 100v). Optrel is close to speedglas. From miller I only welded with elite classic helmet, but I didn't like it (good optics, but feels cheap and it's uncomfortable). If you have the chance try few helmets and then decide, but you can't go wrong with any of this helmets.
Reply:I've heard a lot of good things about the speedglas.  I really like the miller helmet because it lifts up to reveal a clear face shield.   This is a hard comparison because they are all nice hoods.
Reply:my helmentsLincoln 140 Pak MIG Everlast powerarc 140 STLincoln Tombstone
Reply:x2 on the optics of the Speeglas 9100X
Reply:Speedglas makes a great helmet. I couldn't afford the 9100 so I went with the 100V and am very impressed with it. The lens clarity and optics are great, the fit and adjustability are very decent, and it has enough adjustment options for what I do. I would reccommend it.'contaminating tungstens like there's no tomorrow'
Reply:I have a Miller Digital Elite and a Speedglass 9100XX. I like both and use them pretty much interchangeably. The Miller's X-mode is especially useful for low-amp TIG and for outdoor work in sunlight. I tried the older style Jackson (not the Balder) but I didn't like the color or the annoying controls.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedI have a Miller Digital Elite and a Speedglass 9100XX. I like both and use them pretty much interchangeably. The Miller's X-mode is especially useful for low-amp TIG and for outdoor work in sunlight. I tried the older style Jackson (not the Balder) but I didn't like the color or the annoying controls.John
Reply:I use a Fibermetal Pipeliner with an AO "weld cool" fixed lense 99% of the time. But I also own a Optrel, and in my opinion the optrel is extremely clear, I love that the shade adjustment, grind mode, and all controls are on the outside of the hood. You can select a lighter shade by turning a nob on the fly. You don't have to take the hood off and push buttons inside like the others. I say optrel!Local 83
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI have red/green color blindness so unless you do also, I can't make a recommendation
Reply:Originally Posted by 76m2002I also have red/green colorblindness.  Is any glass or hood better for this condition?  I mainly do MIG with an old Miller Elite.
Reply:Old Fibre-Metal Passive lense. This thing is old as dirt.Proverbs 4:23My company welds.
Reply:^ And the better gas can!
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTThis is the last hood you would ever need to buy. I have this same one since I was in school like 100 years ago. It hasn't ever never failed me yet and never needs batteries! It IS THE BEST HOOD you can get and always will be!
Reply:Originally Posted by John Twhat is it?
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTPlain old get anywhere full size fixed shade glass lens.Speaking of magnifying glasses / readers...  Does anyone use these for welding?   to get a better look at the work? or is this practice a "no-no"   ??Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:I've tried just about them all, and fixed gold lens > Jackson Nexgen > Speedglass > everything elseJackson Nexgen is, IMO, closest to a fixed gold lens.  Speedglass isn't too far behind, but much like Optrel, loses big points for not being able to take a standard cover plate, which the Jackson does.  I've never been able to see worth a darn out of the Lincoln or Miller offerings for wire fed applications.
Reply:Originally Posted by John TSpeaking of magnifying glasses / readers...  Does anyone use these for welding?   to get a better look at the work? or is this practice a "no-no"   ??
Reply:Fibre Metal Pipeliner, and a Tigerhood. Two gold tinted mirror lenses. The one in my pipeliner has a blue shade to it, the one in my tigerhood is more orange. I prefer the blue shade when doing tig.. with fcaw it gets kind of bright. It's ok for stick too. I'm still getting used to the orange glow on the newer lens.A friend has that Miller helmet and he likes it. I don't like that price tag. Or AD lenses.
Reply:Do those auto hoods work in -20f degree temps? Curious since weather seems to be the talk the last couple days.
Reply:My Jackson does , but I have had other ones that didn't work well . Bigger problem is the fogging up or if cold enough actually turning into ice on the inner plate. I really dpnt like fixed shade okd style lenses but in the cold I use an old 2 x4 Hunstman. This seems to fog up less than the big window.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.