Speedglas 9100xx doubts

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I just bought a 9100xx but haven't used it yet, but I am having doubts and I'm wondering if I should return (if I can) before trying it.I was told by the dealer it had 4 sensors, turns out to be 3.I had thought that the side windows either darkened or could be properly covered. Neither is the case. They are shade 5 and the plastic covers provided have no way of staying in place and are useless. I was taught at college that you can get peripheral eye damage just walking past someone welding, from the side. Bang up against the job with shade 10 or 11 on the front but only shade 5 on the sides feels too risky to me and no mention is made of this in the instruction book which is generally short on any detail and not particularly clear in what it does have to say.I know there are many who love this helmet for it's great visibility, but the side windows alone have me worried. Anyone any thoughts on this?
Reply:I'm a newbie myself in welding school now.  I have the 9100XXI.  My professor says its one of the best, comparing it to my classmates helmets I've tried, I love it.Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Reply:Dealer must’ve been misinformed, the 9100xx as you said does have three, and if you bought it based on 4 sensors he should be good about taking it back.I’ve been thinking about the 9100xxi, but the side windows have me wondering though. I’m not so worried about getting eye damage, as they are UV filtering shade 5. However it seems weird to me to have windows letting light into the hood and causing reflections off the main window. I was gung-ho about getting one based on their reputation, but I will definitely be doing some welding with one before deciding to buy one. That’s a lot of money, and it better make one hell of a difference. I’m using Harbor Freights Vulcan Arc Safe Hood(Miller Digital Elite Clone), and its just as good as the real thing(using the digital elites at school). The digital elite is $215, the arc safe I got for 149.Makes you think twice about spending all your pennies for the name... Speedglas is renowned though, wont pass judgement until I try one.-Mark SmithMiller Bobcat 250Vulcan ProTig200Vulcan MigMax215Everlast PowerArc 210STLHypertherm PowerMax45 Xp
Reply:

Originally Posted by Mmock4

....the side windows have me wondering though. I’m not so worried about getting eye damage, as they are UV filtering shade 5.
Reply:I have a speedglass hood,really like it. I got it thru work for a maintenance school i took.Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Reply:I think you'll find that the side lenses themselves, regardless of the shade, provide more than adequate UV protection. UV is where the eye damage occurs. The shade 5-to-13 thing is merely a brightness issue. For better peripheral view a lighter shade is probably better."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:I believe mine is set to 10 or 11 on darkness.Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Reply:I installed the side covers on mine... They haven't fallen off yet.    I don't notice any light through them.add what Sandy said and I think you will like the lid. ( UV / not shade #)My biggest beef was the headgear..  but I just got used to it.Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:And if all else fails........

Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:

Originally Posted by John T

I installed the side covers on mine... They haven't fallen off yet.    I don't notice any light through them.
Reply:See that's the thing....  you buy a helmet costing hundreds of dollars and you start off having to use duct tape to hold bits of it in place..that's just doesnt seem right to me and it's another reason why I'm doubtful about this lid.Last edited by MattFlinders; 09-08-2018 at 09:04 AM.
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Originally Posted by MattFlinders

Can I ask why you decided to use the covers? And how on earth do you get them to stay on? Mine just have one long slit on the bottom but that doesn't hold them for more than a few seconds....I must be missing something.
Reply:

Originally Posted by MattFlinders

See that's the thing....  you buy a helmet costing hundreds of dollars and you start off having to use duct tape to hold bits of it in place..that's just doesnt seem right to me and it's another reason why I'm doubtful about this lid.
Reply:JohnT, you can order a kit from Speedglas to hold the cheater lense. I can't figure why side lenses are needed, maybe just an extra bell or whistle for sales hype. My 100 is about 8 years old and, for their cheapest, has served me well as a hobbyist. Now if I had to use it in my pre retirement job, I don't know. It doesn't have a solar cell and I haven't had to change the battery yet.MikeLast edited by mla2ofus; 09-08-2018 at 04:48 PM.Ol' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:normally at work ive been using miller digital infinity for last couple months but i tried speedglas with side windows a few times and it was a bit distracting. maybe because i wasnt used to it. seemed like a good helmet other than i didnt care for the side windows but i would just cover them if i had to use it every day
Reply:

Originally Posted by MattFlinders

Surely if you need shade 10/11 on the front; you would need the same on the sides...
Reply:side windows can be a problem if your not used to them. nearly every helmet ive used didnt have the windows ,so they were quit a distraction for me. wether or not i could get used to them is hard to say because i rarely use that style of helmet
Reply:

Originally Posted by cornchip

side windows can be a problem if your not used to them. nearly every helmet ive used didnt have the windows ,so they were quit a distraction for me. wether or not i could get used to them is hard to say because i rarely use that style of helmet
Reply:

Originally Posted by pin2hot

.The 9100 series has provisions for a cheater lens...
Reply:I like the side windows. It takes a second or two for the weld to cool and the auto dark to shut off.  So after stopping the arc I'll peek at the weld through the side window and can continue welding faster.You don't notice the windows unless you want to.
Reply:

Originally Posted by henry42

You don't notice the windows unless you want to.
Reply:

Originally Posted by John T

Ridiculous.  Humans don't have the choice to shut off or ignore peripheral vision....  It is there and working (in most people)If you happen to lose your peripheral vision, that would be Tunnel vision. (a real medical condition)You do NOT want that.  


Reply:I used one with the side windows at work, (not a professional welder) we have 2 that have that write up.  Anyway the side windows didn't hurt but they made it easier to see the stinger on set up.  With someone welding about 10 feet away no eye strain.  I was filling in for one of our welders who was out on bereavement.  Again not a professional welder, but they did pass xray certification.  I also don't own a speedglass myself, but that's just because I haven't invested in on.  Using a Miller Classic at home.I haven't built anything I can't throw away.  Perfection is the journey.    Mac
Reply:I have been using Speedglas for over 20 years and bought a 9100xxi a year or so ago after the lens cracked on my old 9000x. Anyway ..after a year of using it i just don't like it but not because of the side windows ( which annoy me uncovered due to the distraction of peripheral reflection of my own welding) but due to the weight and goofy feeling headgear...i often work out of position with my head tilted right over and the helmet just wonks around wherever it wants and drives me nuts. Down here in Aus it cost me a fortune which i was happy to pay to have the best but in truth i'm very dissapointed. Ive just bought a replacement lens for my old 9000x and now i wouldnt swap it for anything..feels like I've replaced a diving bell with a baseball cap.Anyway...just my take on itLast edited by arbie; 11-23-2018 at 10:34 AM.
Reply:My side covers haven't come off in 3 years and I weld all day long. Either you're not putting them in right, or they're broken.I have had my windows uncovered since I got my hood 3-4 years ago. Don't notice them much but have used them a few times. They are nice when you are working around others who are welding. Just leave the hood down when changing parts or positions and you will never get flashed.Lincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.
Reply:

Originally Posted by TimmyTIG

My side covers haven't come off in 3 years and I weld all day long. Either you're not putting them in right, or they're broken.
Reply:

Originally Posted by arbie

I have been using Speedglas for over 20 years and bought a 9100xxi a year or so ago after the lens cracked on my old 9000x. Anyway ..after a year of using it i just don't like it but not because of the side windows ( which annoy me uncovered due to the distraction of peripheral reflection of my own welding) but due to the weight and goofy feeling headgear...i often work out of position with my head tilted right over and the helmet just wonks around wherever it wants and drives me nuts. Down here in Aus it cost me a fortune which i was happy to pay to have the best but in truth i'm very dissapointed. Ive just bought a replacement lens for my old 9000x and now i wouldnt swap it for anything..feels like I've replaced a diving bell with a baseball cap.Anyway...just my take on it
Reply:About 30 years ago we got something like that with the side windows none of the welders liked them they too much light in. But then that was 30 years ago maybe they have changed them. First gen auto darkening atached to the mig gun when you pulled the trigger it darkened the glass.Welders: IdealArc AC/DC 250            Lincoln AC 225 converted to AC/DC            O/A torches            Lots of Hammers Clamps and Grinders


Reply:I like the side windows as well. Make you see things around you when welding.I have the 9100xx and on the 9100 they made a change to the pivoting so the helmet wouldn't stick up as far when you have it up. They also made it wider because people would burn their ears with UV light.Anyway, that's why it's different than the older speedglas models.