Lincoln Viking or Miller digital elite

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I really like auto darkening helmets,but I've never had a really good one.Cheap auto helmets are nasty great for a while but they just don't last.The headgear is uncomfortable and the body is made of cheap plastic.Miller and Lincoln have properly the best reputations in welding so you know your buying quaility.    I was leaning towards the Miller at the start,but now its the Lincoln that I want.I have used the Miller for a very short time and it really was too short to really get a impression.I've not even seen the viking,however its much cheaper and reviews are good.    So its time to ask for a little help,reviews on the net can be very misleading.Both mave a grind mode something I've not had before thats a big thumbs up for me.Both use solar and have sensors as well another plus.      The Miller headband looks more comfortable,but is it true that the cover lens and batteries can only be purchased only from Miller.      The lincoln viking seems more user friendly its cheaper thats always nice.However its quaility I want something that will last and be comfortable with it.So price is not the only consideration.I need some advice I think is the Viking on par with the miller or way behind it terms of features and quaility?Last edited by focus267; 03-28-2012 at 02:32 PM.
Reply:I have the Miller digital Elite and I like it a lot. Never tried the new Lincolns so I can't comment on them.The cover plates on the Miller are proprietary but they aren't too expensive- might start to add up if you do a lot of overhead welding though. The batteries are 2450s, get 'em at any electronics supplier and some big box stores.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedI have the Miller digital Elite and I like it a lot. Never tried the new Lincolns so I can't comment on them.The cover plates on the Miller are proprietary but they aren't too expensive- might start to add up if you do a lot of overhead welding though. The batteries are 2450s, get 'em at any electronics supplier and some big box stores.John
Reply:Been using the Viking almost since they came out with it.  About 2 or more years I believe.Mine gets pretty rough usage.  Spends a lot of time in the dirt.I've only been flashed once when the sensors were completely blocked.  This can happen with almost any auto helmet.The adjustments are easy to make on the hood, and the replacement front shields are really simple to manipulate, and cheap too.It seems about as comfortable as any hood.  And it's not very heavy either.The vision is good, considering the relatively small viewing area, never had any problems with seeing (although my eyesight is getting lousy).  And there's adequate room to wear glasses under the hood, which is a big plus."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I love my Miller D E. the X mode lets me weld facing into the early morning sun that beams into my shop. It is light and comfortable. I paid $290 at the local welding supply.
Reply:I have the Miller D E.A comfortable enough helmet with good visibility.As for batteries, I replaced mine with Energizer Lithiums.  There is a rumour that you had to use a specific brand of battery, but I haven't found that to be the case.  Buy the batteries on-line and you can get them for $2.  Something like $8 at the local store.X-mode is nice, and I pretty much leave it in that mode.The only bad thing is you need to turn the helmet on every now and then.  Before you drop the hood, you take the helmet off and check that its turned on.  You get flashed once and you remember.  I had a "DQF" helmet that was 1995 vintage, auto-dark with an X-mode.  It would turn on based either on light sensors or magnetic.  So the first time you struck the arc it might use light sensors.   X-mode typically triggers on the HF start from TIG machines.  That being said, the older helmet gave me eye fatigue.  The Miller zero eye fatigue.As for comfort, I think my Optrel is better.  Smaller viewing area - but I find I focus just fine on the puddle and ignore everything else anyway.  Optrel is better for overhead and in tight spaces I think it would be better as well.  No X-mode.  External knobs (so you can adjust when the hood is down.... but you can also snag the knobs in some tighter spaces - plusses and minus).Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Once you have used a Miller Digital Elite with X-Mode you won't go back to any any helmet that doesn't have it. My son was totally against electronic helmets until his fixed shade broke on a job and I loaned him my Digital Elite to finish. He bought one for himself the next day and has been using it daily for almost 3 years now. I bought mine because I was doing relatively low amp TIG at the time and couldn't see well enough with a fixed shade helmet.  These tired old eyes really appreciate the Digital Elite.CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:As usual, the discussion veers to the most expensive option. I'm not saying it isn't the best option, if you have a wallet full of scratch.  But c'mon now  Was a time most people used the old style "Homer hoods", and they worked just fine.  I still like mine the best, with a  nice Anchor gold shade #10.But, if you're not Mitt Romney, perhaps you just might want to invest in a cheaper very serviceable hood.  Nothing against Mitt mind you..........never met a dog that didn't shape up after being lashed to a car carrier and dragged for about 800 miles on the concrete pavement   (Google it)Methinks (Ye Olde English) that the real place the scratch outta be spent is in all the goodies surrounding the trade, not the ultimate hood.  The Viking is a really good serviceable hood.Average dood throws away more money on beers and steaks on the weekend, and doesn't think twice about it.  But then they stress over a welding hoodAnd, if expense is no problem.....spend the moola on your lady, it pays back better than a fancy helmet in the long run.  After all, the only purpose of a hood is to see without injury, and to shield your beak from sparks   And your lady could care less about your beak.Seriously (if that's possible  ), put your money in the cheaper helmet, and spend the rest on other stuff you'll need (which piles up to a lot of money  )I carry this philosophy to all things.  I got mostly junk.  Lottsa junk.  3 semi tractors. 4 farm tractors, a ton of implements, a full shop (sorta in a holistic sorta way  ), and all the rest..............  And it's paid for, not on the cuff.  Old, serviceable stuff.  Not pretty, but it's all mine.You can't own it all, and if you're younger than me, which is quite likely, it will take a lifetime to aquire all that you want, and then there's stuff you'll die without."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Lincoln Electric sends me a brand new portable welder every year for this kind of lobbying "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammAs usual, the discussion veers to the most expensive option.I'm not saying it isn't the best option.....
Reply:.............................http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...producttype=hgCheck out the specs.  1/25000 sec is just about as fast as you'd want, and the variable shade is very nice for different kinds of welding types.It set me back around 120 bucks when I bought mine, probably a little more these days."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I have the lincoln and love it. I can see the puddle. I used to weld by Braille.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I own 2 Miller Digital, my opinion is if you spend the money and invest in a good helmet you won't be buying another.  Sometimes the old saying is true "You get what you pay for".  The Miller helmets are worth the investment.  They have stood up to abuse in the field and the service truck.
Reply:Originally Posted by ladywelderI own 2 Miller Digital, my opinion is if you spend the money and invest in a good helmet you won't be buying another.  Sometimes the old saying is true "You get what you pay for".  The Miller helmets are worth the investment.  They have stood up to abuse in the field and the service truck.
Reply:Didja say cheater lens??Look in the expendable parts in the link I put up earlier.  Cheater lenses"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammDidja say cheater lens??Look in the expendable parts in the link I put up earlier.  Cheater lenses
Reply:Wasn't slamming grammar.  I thought you didn't see the lens options in the expendable parts section, thath's why the "  ".  SorryI have the cheapest hood they make, and the lens will cover the viewing area I believe.  Didn't know you were looking at the more expensive model.  I use glasses anyway.  I can't see well with a cheater because they aren't vision corrected.  I have one better eye, and one worse eye, sorta lopsided "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I have the Lincoln viking 3350, and I love it. I have never used the miller, but I would imgine it is just as good as the Lincoln.  Its a Chevy/ Ford debate type thing. Either way, you will end up with a nice helmet, no matter which one you decide to go with.Miller Synchrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Torchmate 2x2Victor O/A
Reply:anyone here have experience with the miller 'performance series'? i've had one for about a month now and i've been flashed a LOT with it...the older half-price jackson huntsman i used before it NEVER gave me trouble. i made a call to wisconsin, they're sending me a new lens/cartridge this wednesday. if it isnt better im thinking maybe speedglas?