PAPR System - Recommendations and expected pricing?

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I'm looking to buy a used PAPR system. It would make my wife feel much better, and I would feel much more comfortable.What's a good unit? I've been looking at the Speedglas system and the Miller one. For the Speedglas, I've seen the 9002x and the 9100fx, whats the difference?And what should I expect to pay? There's a Miller one on my local CL for $600 and I've seen some speedglas ones, both 9002 and 9100 for $500-$600.John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:9100 is the current speedglas model.  9002 is probably the previous version.  The FX is a flip up front.  There should also be a letter or 2 between the 9100 and FX.  Either V, X, or XX which designates the lens size.  A search (google, etal.) for 9100 FX will find you lots of info.Tim
Reply:Whichever one you decide make sure it has a grinding visor. Otherwise you will be protected while welding but then inhale all the dust while grinding.I went for the Speedglas 9100fx xx and love it.
Reply:I was leaning towards the Speedglas FX whether 9100 or 9002, not sure yet. What's considered a good price on these in good, used condition?John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:How are the optics with the grinding shield ?  Just curious as it's another lens essentiallyMiller 350PMiller 30AHobart trekHTP Invertig 221
Reply:I got the 9100 fx air for $900 on ebay new. The price seemed sort of reasonable but it still is a lot of money.I think a guy welding all day and not having a better way to deal with the fumes is sort of goofy for not having one.
Reply:I would probably go with the 3M Speedglas FX 9100 system whether it is an x or xx is up to you.
Reply:XX is a gimmick in my opinion. 3m has plenty to address as nonsense in their hoods. There is some pretty substandard stuff going on and while all my speedglas's are xx I can't tell a difference going to a 2" window. It is not worth a penny to me.
Reply:I have a lot of welding helmets some passive and some ADF:Speedglas 9100 XX (right now using a passive lens in it) Speedglas 9100FX XX AdfloKemppi ADFProtashellLeather maskLeather monkey maskThe Speedglas XX ADF has amazing clarity and has become my favorite. I have both the 9100XX and when I bought the 9100FX Adflo I got it without the lens and transferred it from my 9100.Surprisingly I do not notice any loss in clarity due to the extra lens.Finally the adflo does not let any light from behind due to its face seal so that is another plus in my book.The only thing I do not use is the side windows for which I have ended using the supplied covers for both helmets.Right now my go to helmets are the Speedglas. I find the headgear amazing compared to all my other helmets (and an other helmet I have tried) and do not end up with a headache if I have to wear the helmet all day unlike some other helmets.I have tried briefly another welder's Miller 9400i parp and I liked the Speedglas better but it was only for a few minutes so no definite conclusion.Finally one of the pluses of PARP welding helmets is the cooling during the summer months which makes them very comfortable to wear.Last edited by taz00; 07-10-2014 at 11:05 PM.
Reply:One of my first bitches about the adflo was backlight at the seam where the hood meets the top of the helmet.
Reply:I remember your thread but if I recall correctly it was light from the front bottom of the ADF that was your problem.As far as I am concerned no light passes from the back of the helmet.I did check my 9100XX when you posted and even commented on your thread that although I could see light going through the bottom of the ADF when looking for it specifically with a very bright flashlight it was unnoticeable when welding.From all the helmets on my list the 9100FX ADFLO is the one that has no apparent light entering from anywhere.I am sure that if I started looking I would find some place where light entered though but see no point in doing so.
Reply:Originally Posted by taz00I remember your thread but if I recall correctly it was light from the front bottom of the ADF that was your problem.As far as I am concerned no light passes from the back of the helmet.I did check my 9100XX when you posted and even commented on your thread that although I could see light going through the bottom of the ADF when looking for it specifically with a very bright flashlight it was unnoticeable when welding.From all the helmets on my list the 9100FX ADFLO is the one that has no apparent light entering from anywhere.I am sure that if I started looking I would find some place where light entered though but see no point in doing so.
Reply:i have a top of the line 9100fx that the company bought me, I do have some gripes one does include the backlight but I deal with it, its not horrible, the grinding shield option with the FX is a must in my opinion, Also I would HIGHLY recommend the backpack version....  I found the belt after long hours hard on the neck/back. One of our speedglas/magna dealers introduced the backpack to me about 2 months ago and I simply will never go back to the belt style. light as air, and much more ergonomically friendly. Either way even with its pros/cons I don't think anyone in the industry can touch the speedglas adflo combo. Attached ImagesLast edited by Pressure_Welder; 07-11-2014 at 07:38 PM.
Reply:Nice pictures.I did not even know they offered anything besides the waist belt. I am ok with it there though but good to know.
Reply:In my last job I had several workers choose to use a harness instead of a belt for their PAPR.  Those that are saying that they are having problems with backlight - is that stray (day)light that is coming in around the edges of the face shield?
Reply:Originally Posted by mikecwikDo you have the fx air?The light coming from the back of the helmet is what it is. I still say nothing whatsoever should be coming in from the front.
Reply:Here are some photos. The two speedglas helmets side by side.The 9100 with a 11 shade fixed lens. Light can be seen entering on the bottom. This light is not perceptible when wearing the helmet since you have to look at it from a completely different angle to see it.Finally a photo of the inside of the 9100FX, I could not take a decent photo due to the reflections of the grinding shield as well as all the helmet's internals. However no light enter from the front.
Reply:One tip I forgot to mention when using PAPR's with only a particle cartridge fitted - don't eat things like Mexican the night before!  Trust me you will only do it once!