Welding helmets. Need input.

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How do you know how many sensors these have? When tig welding my harbor freight hood goes really dim and then really bright so I need a better hood. Looking for something I can pick up locally that is better.Anyone ever try the ones they sell at home depot or lowes? Lincoln or kobalt ones? http://www.lowes.com/pd_190724-47120...lding%2BhelmetI don't know what to look for when picking a helmet. Is solar power better than battery powered? All I know is I want auto darkening and a good size lense.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:you dont necessarily need more sensors you might allso need a hood that allows you to adjust the sensitivity levels and the delay up or down.my speed glass has only 3 sensors but it allows alot of adjustments and that goes along way.After the arc has died the weld remains
Reply:On my HF I can set the delay normal/fast and sensitivity. From what I have gathered in my other thread the 2 sensors are not enough.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:You need a helmet that will switch when it is exposed to a steady light source.It seems to be that normally it is the AC component of the welding current that makes them switch.My helmet won't switch in sunlight, but a photoflash in the next room will trigger it.
Reply:Looks like that Kobalt has 2. I have a Miller Pro-Hobby I got from cyberweld.com, that I really like. Every welding supplier in my area carries them but it was cheaper online and shipping was free. When I was looking for a helmet the things I looked at were viewing area, weight, power supply, and availability of parts. For power sources I think a combo of the 2 is best, the battery will make sure it is always ready for use, and the solar helps supplement the the battery's power and make them last longer. For weight, the lighter the better, parts for a name brand helmet are available everywhere. Since you are tig welding look for a tig rating on the helmet.
Reply:So no go on the kobalt?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 would suggest the metal man from tractor supply it has the adj. that boilermaker237 talked about and it was inexpensive compared to my name brand helments- $79.00
Reply:I picked up this kobalt one from lowes today for $99. It has delay and sensitivity settings, more than my harbor frieght one. So I'm going to try it out and if it sucks I'll return it.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 have wondered about the chin activated helmet, they look very usefull, I don't really like my Auto dark one,  and i hate flipping the manual one all the time, but i find myself using it much more, i probably need a GOOD auto dark......
Reply:Just cleaned up my Jackson EQC Professional Variable. New out side lens. Don't know  when I bought it. Used it a lot of years. Gets thrown in to back of my pickup. Has not failed me yet. I say, bit the bullet and buy good stuff. Been welding a lot of years. Had no one to talk to. Now I have learned so much from this forum.
Reply:This kobalt one works great so far.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 stopped by Lowes on my way home tonight and checked out that helmet. Looks like a decent helmet for the money.
Reply:For $99 it was worth a shot since I can always return it.One thing that takes getting used it is how long it is compared to my other.Do you guys wear safety glasses under your helmets?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:Yeah it's hard to beat for under $100.