Four Welding Helmets Compared - optical clarity

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Fellow Welders (Weldors)I do a fair amount of welding as a home shop and tiny ranch owner.  I do lots of repairs around the barn and I enjoy making things in my garage.I have four auto-darkening welding helmets.  Here is a comparison of the view through all four (new lens covers in all – inner and outer).The first picture is the control – this was taken on my welding table in my garage.  I have decent lighting over the welding table.The next pictures show an Antra helmet I bought a few years ago on Amazon and the view through the lens (no arc of course).The next pictures show an Optrel Crystal 2.0The next pictures show a Jackson W40.  I have had this a couple of years now.The next pictures show a Viking 3350 4C There was a recent thread about having trouble seeing the weld puddle.  I just wanted to share the Viking and the Optrel both have an amazing view and allow a much clearer view of the weld puddle.  I just wanted to share the difference in view, and did not want to get into headgear, weight, longevity, etc.Maybe there is a comparison already, I just could not find it…






Reply:The rest of the pictures.  Hopefully the order makes sense.




Geoff
Reply:I know it would be difficult to do, but, wouldn't the "view" that is illuminated by an arc, while the helmet is in the "darkened" state be more meaningful?Actually, when welding near others, the Jackson might be the safest helmet as the view is partially dark, protecting you from adjacent arc flash??I know, from personal research, that wearing sunglasses protects the eyes from occasional weld flash, when walking through a weld shop, compared to clear safety glasses.I also used darkened side shields.
Reply:Between you and Oscar, you've got me drooling over those Optrel's. I've always been happy with my Hobart, but it's 10 yr old technology now, and nowhere near that clear.The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:SweetMK,  I wrestled with ideas on how to capture the view when welding, but i came to the realization that the pictures shown really represent the differences you see when welding - or at least how I see the weld puddle.  The real reason I posted this was because we talk about aging and changes to our eyesight, and how we can't see to weld like we used to - me included.  If you are like me, and are having trouble seeing the weld puddle clearly, maybe some of the new amazing helmets could help?  The pictures I posted just represent how much of a difference there can be.  Geoff
Reply:I was under the impression that all AD helmets gave UV protection in the passive state, just not protection from the brightness. "If" that is still the case, the clarity of the new helmets shouldn't be a factor in getting flash from adjacent workers. It may be annoying, but not damaging.The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:I guess I've never particularly cared how it looks when the cartridge isn't activated.  I,m mostly interested in how the puddle looks while welding.  Although my Jackson True Sight is an older design, I swear by it.  You see the actual color of the puddle, or close to it.  The definition/contrast is amazing,, and helps old eyes like mine.  I'm sure there's better stuff out there.Last edited by farmersammm; 10 Hours Ago at 05:13 PM.Reason: grammar
Reply:I do find it outrageous that the hoods cost as much as they do.  You know doggone well that the manufacturing cost is hugely less than what you're paying.  Electronics are cheap nowdays.
Reply:

Originally Posted by whtbaron

I was under the impression that all AD helmets gave UV protection in the passive state, just not protection from the brightness.
Reply:

Originally Posted by farmersammm

I do find it outrageous that the hoods cost as much as they do.  You know doggone well that the manufacturing cost is hugely less than what you're paying.  Electronics are cheap nowdays.
Reply:How many Lenses are you expecting to be going thru???I guess if you're stick welding overhead on your back maybe,,, but I've tigged for years with the same one in my Optrel (a little polish, a little plexus now & then...)


Reply:I just changed out the clear ones in my Hobart and had a hard time getting the "correct" lenses. I just got some bigger ones and cut them to size with sharp scissors. If you're replacing a gasket they can be carefully rolled off and re-used as long as they aren't torn. Much cheaper to get the lenses through Princess Auto (or Harbor Freight) than the helmet's dealer network. Thank 12V71 for that tip. As for how often, I should have changed them much sooner than I did. It was a big improvement to vision.The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:

Originally Posted by BaTu

How many Lenses are you expecting to be going thru???I guess if you're stick welding overhead on your back maybe,,, but I've tigged for years with the same one in my Optrel (a little polish, a little plexus now & then...)