auto darkening helmet question

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i just bought an auto darkening variable shade helmet at har freight. it is excellent but i notice that when welding if i turn slightly off center, the shading is slightly lighter. it is seems perfect looking straight on. is this normal?the manual says the lens would protect you even if it didn't dim, so this is purely an aesthetic issue.., i hopeany help appreciatedkevin
Reply:I have one to, and have noticed some shading inconsistencies also.  The quick answer I have is that I dont know if this is a real problem.  I just try to minimize the situations that cause problems (low ambient light, dirt/grime buildup on the sensor and solar panel, etc.,).  Being more expensive doesnt make something inherently better, but I have seen very little info comparing...say... a $250 miller autodarkening helmet, with...say... a $50 HF one.  Given the price differential, neither miller nor any other name brand helmet has anything to gain from this comparison.  This would be a good thing for some independant lab to do, test and compare all the rated features of both helments so we can be more informed cheapskates. Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I have the miller auto shading hood. It has been a great hood. The shade does not seem to fade at angles as Kevin had spoke of it pretty much stays the same. I don't know if its worth the 250$ my boss paid for mine and if I was the one doing the spending I would not have got such a costly one. The problem I have had Is that I still do the nod. I cant get used to not picking my hood back up after a pass. talk about old habits. I even nod with it already down. It's a comfortable hood very light.The thing I don't like is that it does not use stanard size clear lenses. Miller made it to only use theirs. Attached Images
Reply:I  after reading a bunch of posts hear and after hearing of the problems with the hf helmets  decided to get a optrel satelite helmet , im so glad I did.
Reply:6 or so years ago I bought an Optrel ,about $260.00,and was happy. A year and a half ago I bought a HF for $50.00 for a spare. I now use the HF adjustable and am happy.
Reply:My $80 HF auto darkening helmet sucks.  I have wasted more time than I care to admit trying to get that POS to work for me.  I am currently using a basic hood with #10 & a 150(?) cheater.  The differences are night & day.
Reply:A few months ago, I purchased an AD helmet from ebay. It was advertised to have an Antec AFV-102 filter ( a well known Chinese electronics manufacturer ) . These helmets have been advertised in Europe, Canada and the USAand are sold by online vendors and ebay stores. The specs are 1/25000 reaction time and it is adjustable from 9-13 shade. The off shade is 3 to 4. It meets ANSI and EN standards. It was around $59. The helmet has works perfectly. The sensitivity is adjustable for ambient light and the delay from dark to light is also adjustable. Now that being said, I would recommend this type of hood for the hobbiest but if you weld more regularly than just the occasional weekend warrior, then you should look into a good brand named helmet that has manufacturers support. Also, when looking at a light bulb in the dark state, it appears to have some darkness variation but I have not noticed this while welding. This seems to be typical of the lowend hoods, even with well known manufacturers.
Reply:I have one of those HF helmets, it has been working good for me.
Reply:I've been using Speedglass since 1991. Doubt I'll ever use anything else.
Reply:I've been using a Hobart one I purchased at Tractor Supply Co.  I have no shading problems.  I do need adjust my sensitivity.  Since I do a lot of my welding outdoors and we have no clouds here in South Texas   Sometimes it wants to always be on shade mode and I cant see.  So I have to cover the photo cells with my hand to make it lighten up.  This isnt a problem with Helmet though, I just need to adjust my sensitivity on it.
Reply:I use a Speedglas variable 10-13 W/manual sensitivity and solar power since 2002, I use it everyday at work for T.I.G, M.I.G, Flux Core, Stick, and Grinding. I bought it when I came to California to work, Cost $423.00 new, so it is considered a piece of my equipment. One of the best investments I ever made.If it's HOT, Don't touch it