Best auto helmet

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I'm thinking about spending the money to get a nice auto darkening helmet. So far I'm leaning towards the Lincoln 3350 Foose Imposter. Does anyone have one and what is your opinion?  What is your favorite auto darkening helmet and why?
Reply:I have the Lincoln 3350 motor head graphics. It's a good helmet. It has a high and low shade setting. 6-9 and 9-13. The low setting is great for low amp tig. You can actually see the weld. The sensors are good down to 4 Amps AC. Nice big field of view. The only problem is no matter how tight you make the tilt knobs the helmet falls closed if you attempt to look down.
Reply:Have a Miller Elite (5 years old now)- Love itHas a great field of view, never had any issues other than the front is kind of tricky to get clipped in 100%Also used the free Lincoln auto dark that came with my Lincoln mig welder.For a budget friendly helmet it is really nice. Seems like the default tint is either lighter, or just more clear than the Miller.Not good or bad - just different.
Reply:Just like anything elseThey're all about the same at each price point.The Lincoln looks pretty good. Large viewing area, which is nice.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I use a Lincoln viking 2450 and it works great for what I am doing. IMO after you get above $150 or so they all start to work pretty much the same to me. If I had to buy another it would be a toss up between a Miller Digital Elite and another Lincoln.1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Reply:Try doing a search. There are dozens of welding hood threads on this forum.  Sees if your LWS has any you can try. Or ask other welder to try their hood. Everyone's eyes are different and you just have to find what you like best.  The HTP hood has been getting some good feedback recently.  Personally I like the Jackson Balder lenses.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:Originally Posted by Labmaster02The only problem is no matter how tight you make the tilt knobs the helmet falls closed if you attempt to look down.
Reply:Rumor has it the Lincoln helmet comes from the same factory as harbor freight helmets I have been happy with the Jackson balder, optrel 684, Miller digital elite and my new vega view 2.5 optrel.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I like my MILLER ELITE, old style 7 years old now. Miller has a rebate and free gloves offers on some hoods. Here's my local supplier ,http://www.weldersupply.com/C/32/Helmets
Reply:My Miller elite wouldn't stay up, the 3350 stays up much better.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinMy Miller elite wouldn't stay up, the 3350 stays up much better.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleRumor has it the Lincoln helmet comes from the same factory as harbor freight helmets I have been happy with the Jackson balder, optrel 684, Miller digital elite and my new vega view 2.5 optrel.
Reply:Hard to say "best" for welding helmets that have umpteen options and differences.  I'd say they come in Tiers . . . bottom dollar cheapie like Harbor Freight, middle tier that are functional but not feature laden, and top-of-line like better Millers, SpeedGlas, Jackson, etc.Think I got good deal on CL for new in box KT Industries auto darkening helmet . . might barely be "middle tier" quality  ??On Amazon for $113 but I talked the CL Seller down to $35 as I had never heard of KT Industries. Made in Iowa.It's model 4-1050 auto darkening shades 9-13 and battery/solar power.http://www.amazon.com/K-T-Industries...K-T+INDUSTRIES Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Sounds like a personal problem.
Reply:CNGSaves you got a good deal for $35!  Never heard of it but looks similar to our Tweco helmets.  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by CNGsavesOn Amazon for $113 but I talked the CL Seller down to $35 as I had never heard of KT Industries. Made in Iowa.It's model 4-1050 auto darkening shades 9-13 and battery/solar power.
Reply:As a hobbyist I've had my speedglas 100 for about 5 yrs and it's done everything I expect for a bottom of 3M line hood. I have yet to have to change the battery and it doesn't have solar charging. I won't say it's tough enough to go out in the field day in and day out. I will say I ran over it one day w/ a little lawn tlr and it popped everything out of the shell in one piece and everything snapped back into place w/ no harm done and it's worked fine since.                                          MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1I would bet they ALL come from the same factory.Miller Rep on the Miller board admitted that Miller hoods are all made overseas. He say theirs were made in Korea.
Reply:Jackson TrueSight II . Very clear. Rivals my passive German gold lens. Only con is it uses it's own special cover plate that are $2ea vs. $1 for a cheap 5X4 but, they don't scratch as easy and are twice as thick. However, in a pinch you could use a standard clear cover plate to finish a day out or maybe even until you could get some more.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThomasJE3Jackson TrueSight II . Very clear. Rivals my passive German gold lens. Only con is it uses it's own special cover plate that are $2ea vs. $1 for a cheap 5X4 but, they don't scratch as easy and are twice as thick. However, in a pinch you could use a standard clear cover plate to finish a day out or maybe even until you could get some more.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawX2.   I have both version I and II.  Love them both.
Reply:Originally Posted by bbertbI have the the truesight 1, do you think its worth the money to upgrade to the truesight 2?
Reply:When it comes to helmets, there are pluses and minuses to each (at least that is my belief).Take the following with a grain of salt - My eyes are over 45 years old and things like cheater lenses are a must for me.  BTW, 42 is about the age you could start to have trouble focusing on near items.I have 4 different helmets.My go-to is the Jackson W70.  It has a bluish lens to it and large viewing area.  Its lightweight (maybe a bit flimsy).  Biggest negative - the holder for the cheater lens lets it slide around to easily.  Next biggest negative, head gear sometimes hurts my balding head - Depends how I adjust it.My next favorite is the Optrel.  Bluish color.  Built like a Mercedes. Quality all around.  The only Auto Dark helmet to use when welding overhead.  Downside - a bit heavier and smaller viewing area.I also have older Miller Elite and Digital Elite.They are quality items.  Mostly for my kids.  They were my only helmets for years.  Negatives - greenish color.  I find greenish color is harder to find a level that is light enough to see where I'm going, and dark enough to see the arc hit the puddle (or the wire).  Important note: The older Miller Digital Elites are auto-off but not auto-on.  That saves batteries but about once every 2 months or so I get flashed because I sat around too long - Then I curse and sit around a bit longer.All these helmets are 300 plus or minus if you buy them new.   The Optrel cost me $25 (estate sale - the guy threw in some brand new gloves and chipping hammer) and the Millers were all Craigslist.  The Jackson was bought onsale through Amazon.  At the time about $200.Every year helmets seem to improve.  Miller and Optrel have made advances, so maybe they are better than Jackson now.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:I bought two of the new jackson trusight 2 about 6 months ago and I'm having an issue with mine cutting off every once in awhile while Welding. If I were to buy new hoods I would buy the Miller digital elites. I had good luck with them mine usually lasting 4 to 5 years.Sent from my C811 4G using TapatalkVantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:I've been looking at the Jackson w40 insight because it has 4 sensors, a large viewing area and its in my price range. The only negative review I read is some guy wrote that the plastic hood is such thin plastic that the helmet is flimsy. I can't imagine that this is actually the case but I'd like to hear from someone with the helmet or a similar one. I would think that the shell for the w40 and the w70 would be the same. Is the plastic thin?Even if the plastic is thin, that may just be there way of making the hood resilient to impact. Just a thought. It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me
Reply:Originally Posted by GmmandanI bought two of the new jackson trusight 2 about 6 months ago and I'm having an issue with mine cutting off every once in awhile while Welding. If I were to buy new hoods I would buy the Miller digital elites. I had good luck with them mine usually lasting 4 to 5 years.Sent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk
Reply:I really love my optrel e680.I still use my ESAB eye-tech for fcaw or saw.
Reply:I've had my Jackson for years. I love it.
Reply:Originally Posted by wniemeierI've been looking at the Jackson w40 insight because it has 4 sensors, a large viewing area and its in my price range. The only negative review I read is some guy wrote that the plastic hood is such thin plastic that the helmet is flimsy. I can't imagine that this is actually the case but I'd like to hear from someone with the helmet or a similar one. I would think that the shell for the w40 and the w70 would be the same. Is the plastic thin?
Reply:My nexgen works really good for me. I bought mine used
Reply:Speedglas 9100 series I have a 9100xx and it is very nice has a notch to hold it up but its still easy enough you can nod and the helmet goes down. Lighter and more comfortable them my Miller elite. The side windows are nice if you do alot of grinding and fit up. Nice big viewing area and battery's last quite a while. Very nice build quality imo compared to every other brand out there.HTP 221 WC InvertigMiller Matic 252Hypertherm Powermax 65Ellis 1600 Bandsaw Ellis 6000 Belt Sander
Reply:My favorite helmet was the Speedglas 9002X. It died last year but only after 10 solid years in the industry being used every day.But its personal preferance. On buying a helmet my number one concern is the reaction time of the darkening. Cheaper ones darken at 0.1ms (0.0001) the top of the line ones darken at 0.03ms (0.00003). As I do this everyday I want maximum protection for my eyes.After that I look at things like the size of the view finder and the quality and functionality of the head gear.Good luck
Reply:i have a speedglas 9002 and a miller digital elite- bought the elite after as a spare. the miller has larger window but it doesnt stay up as well and its heavier-  id buy another speedglas with the even larger window next havent had the chance to try a jackson yet
Reply:I've got one of the HTPs.  It is nice and clear, big viewing window, and has held up nicely with hobby use.  The only issue I've had is for really low amp stuff in weird positions (maybe blocking sensors?) I need to turn the sensitivity up, which is irritating since just looking up from the work piece, or turning around in the garage will trip the sensor so it's constantly on/off/on/off etc..  I never noticed this until I was running at 10A right by my face.One of the guys at work has one of the Miller digital elites, and that one is noticeably nicer than the HTP in that it doesn't do the irritating off/on thing when moving around with no arc, and I think it might have more sensors contributing to that.  Not sure but I like it better.  Another guy has a 3M (Speedglas?) hood but I don't know which model.  Also very nice, but I have only used it once or twice.Outrunning my headlights since '81.
Reply:I have the following Optrel e684Optrel vegaview 2.5Jackson balder bh3 wh70Miller digital elite And one more that I won't mention I don't believe in cheap helmets. My eyes are worth a few bucks more. I do have one more helmet on my list I will get soonTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer