In search of AD Helmet

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Not the typical "what helmet to buy" question.  I have it narrowed down to the Miller AD helmets.  I see the differences on paper between the big window elite, performance, and pro hobby.  What I don't know is what those differences really mean to me in the field.  I have a Hobart Tigmate, I only tig with it, eventually I want to upgrade to a larger machine, but not for a few years.  I do not professionally weld, only for hobby use (fixed my boat trailer, build stand for tools etc).Right now I have a hobart XTF.  The XTF has 1/3600 reaction (this is much slower than the miller ones and is also not "tig rated")  It's also a fixed 10 shade, and I think I'd like variable.  The hobart LCD is darker at the top than at the bottom and I think this is a flaw as it should be a uniform shade?   Otherwise it's comfortable but I have not used any others to compare it to.  The local shop does not have the BWE or performance in stock.  They do have the hobby, and it seems the same as my hobart in terms of quality and comfort.Is the BWE's viewing really worth the extra $50 over the performance model?  Is the performance really that much better than the hobby?  One is rated at 5A tig, the others at 20A tig (for low amperage).  I have no idea what this translates to in the real world.  One can see the arc better at low amps?I'd like to buy this once and not have to upgrade.Cyberweld:BWE: $234Performance : $171Hobby: $116Is there a better source for the Helmet?  By better I mean less expensive and reputable?  I need to order soon so it will arrive before Zap's class on 11/10.All opinions welcome.Ryan
Reply:Looks like the 2main differences between the top two models is the viewing area and number of arc sensors.  Some other things I'm not sure I care about are the adjustable delay time and sensitivity adjustment..Ryan
Reply:I have a Jackson Nexgen (0744-0705) as my personal helmet. I like it very much. It has a weld, grind, and torch setting that comes in handy. When my  4-H welding project (I am a leader) was starting I ended up buying 3 more of them so the kids could use them also when cutting or grinding so I did not have to buy more clear face Shields and more shade 5's for cutting. The kids end up fighting over them at the meetings (the other helmets are fixed shade)  Indiana Welding has the best on-line price of $235 with free shipping. ++++ If you don't have a helmet by zap's class I can bring one of my spares so you can see if you like it.
Reply:I bought a solar auto darkening helmet off Ebay, was extremely skeptical about it, but have two welding tradesmen friends that want one. Bought for 65. USD, I'll post the name of it when I go home tonight.
Reply:A friend of mine has a Miller Auto Darkening helmet and the batteries were NON-replaceable (it was an older/cheaper model).Something to look into.Last edited by Valkyrie Rider; 10-31-2007 at 06:38 PM.
Reply:The top two model millers do have a replaceable battery.  I am leaning strongly towards the perormance helmet from cyberweld.  They appear to have the best price ($171.35I think I will order this tomorrow (live) and make sure they can deliver by Friday next week.Ryan
Reply:Just ordered the performance helmet from cyberweld.  no tax and free shipping, it'll be to me by Tuesday of next week.  Couldn't have asked for anything more.Ryan
Reply:I'm pretty much sold on speedglas.  My old speedglas hood withstood 30' falls, left in the rain and just overall abuse.  It finially died when I left it in the back of the truck and it froze outside.  So I bought the Miller Elite(stars and stripes) when it first came out.  I had so many problems with it, I threw it away.  So I bought a Speedglas 9002x w/sidewindows(awsome option, you don't feel so claustrophobic).  Then I got the protop hard hat option(pretty expencive, but easier on your neck by the end of the day).  The optics started acting funny so I went to warentee it and found that since I got splatter right on the lens, it was void.  So I decided to give the Miller Elite another try since it had been a few years and they must have their s*it together by now.  And they do.  Theres not as much light in the on position as the speedglas and the buttons are on top of the lens which makes it difficult to turn it on and such which also causes you to go though more inner lenses.  But overall, it's a pretty good hood with the 4 censors and great headgear.  For my Speedglas, I went though OIChttp://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC  And a local vendor the the Miller.  But I would recomend going through the ebay store again since the hood was delivered here in no time flat at a great price.-MikeCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.