Advice on Best Welding Lens for Seeing the Weld, and then... Best Helmet 2nd.

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Hello All,I've been welding since 1964 but not for a living and have a number of helmet's... three of the HF type helmets. I'm in the market for a New Helmet and it will be my last helmet that I will buy at 66 YO.  I have searched here and read a lot of information about what PRO Welders are buying and in the Business... everyday. I read good things about --  Jackson Boss, Miller and others.  I wear (old eyes) glasses and have a hard time seeing the welding process colors with my >> HF type auto darkening helmet.. it all looks green (like).I read here... that folks like the Jackson Boss or TrueSight for seeing the color of the weld puddle.. etc. .     My Lens/ Helmet Priority Requirements:1. Great Lens, great to see the weld process... with a good range of colors... Not shades of green.2. Large Viewing Area, and will accept cheater lens inserts, so I can weld without my glasses on.3.  Big buttons that can be selected with gloves on and easy to select. Works on a broad range of processes -- stick 1st, grinding, mig, tig, torch, gas welding but not that often and works well indoors and outdoors as well.4. Light weight and great head gear system.  I do not want a helmet that is a constant fight to keep the visor up & adjusting it all the time. 5.  I'm fine with buying a Great Lens and Installing it in a Great Helmet (head gear wise).  I saw the Jackson Boss Lens installed in a Shadow & HALO X and considered this Lens/ Helmet Set Up. One Review about the Truesight said,  the outer cover lens distorted the view;  he had to turn his head slightly to get undistorted view when welding.  I was confused with this distorted review comment... has anyone else had this experience ? However, I was not sure if this would be the Best Choice.. ref. all the Current Day >>  Lens/ Helmets that are out there in the market place.Yes, I know that it's all about the user and what they like or don't.  So, with that said... weight your guidance towards the Best Lens (seeing color) Quality, the head gear is important but 2nd.    6. The Lens/ Helmet is Durable and has a good warranty. It takes AA/ AAA or (?) battery's and easy to maintain. The cover (outer) lens shield is not special (curved) and easy to replace & not a PITA to service this lens/ helmet at the user level.  7. Price... is Not a big concern, I'd pay $ 500.00 or so for a Great Lens & Helmet Head Gear.  I've never regretted paying a higher price for a great tool... over a so, so tool that was PITA and should have never bought it in the 1st place. Thanks in Advance,AveryLast edited by HighFly27; 09-26-2014 at 12:07 AM.Reason: mistakes & added content** Live Life as If There's No Tomorrow, then, You'll have a Number of Remembrance Smiles as You Prepare to Meet your Maker **Miller(s) 251 w/ Spool Gun 30 A, Big 40, Trailblazer 250 G.; IdealArc 400, SA-200, Classic SA-300, High Freq. Tig., LN-25.
Reply:You pretty much answered your own question. I use a halo x with the boss filter. Regular outer lens , inner is smaller but you can cut down a 4x5. Excellent headgear. The shell is a little soft so it does sag some when your head is turned . The mode buttons are easy to use but I don't try to use them with gloves on. Batteries seem to last forever( AAA). Visibility is also real good.
Reply:Jackson Balder BH3.   Highest rating for color clarity etc.  1/1/1/1. It's more of a blue, the truesight ws60 has an  Amber tint to it.   I own both but being red green color blind I can't really advise for folks with normal color vision.Also no batteries, always on, and we'll regarded 370 headgearTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Ok, that was Quick.I just bought the Jackson Balder BH3 on Amazon. The price was $ 263.50 with tax. I expect another $ 100.00 bucks back from Jackson with the rebate.So, I should have $ 163.50 in the BH3 when it's all said & done.  I was prepared to pay more $$$, hopefully I got the right helmet.. we will see. Avery** Live Life as If There's No Tomorrow, then, You'll have a Number of Remembrance Smiles as You Prepare to Meet your Maker **Miller(s) 251 w/ Spool Gun 30 A, Big 40, Trailblazer 250 G.; IdealArc 400, SA-200, Classic SA-300, High Freq. Tig., LN-25.
Reply:I have the Jackson with the W60 cartridge, the Amber Pass deal.  Gotta say I have mixed feelings about it.It's great for low light stuff like wire welding with flux core.I can't say I'm truly pleased with the performance when stick welding.  I have to turn the shade up to #11 or #12 to differentiate the puddle from the slag.  With the yellow color, there's not enough contrast.  This mainly occurs in the flat position.  But when welding overhead, or uphill, the puddle visibility is excellent (go figure).  I especially like the way I can see while looking down through the arc when welding uphill when my head is above the weld.I still love the old gold coated fixed shades.  About the best visibility on the planet in my opinion.I also feel that the headgear on the Jackson leaves something to be desired.  I work a lot with the hood up (fast tack grindout, moving stuff, etc.), and the doggone thing keeps falling down and smashing my cigarette  There's no happy medium........you can either tighten the knobs enough to prevent the smack down, which makes it impossible to flip the lid down with a head jerk, or leave them loose enough to flip the lid, then it flops all over the place.  The top detent really sucks in my opinion.  My old Lincoln Viking was better in this regard.They're full of crap when they say the buttons are big enough to work with gloves on.  Hasn't been my experience anyways.All in all, I'd give the hood a C+ to a B- I guess.My favorite is still my old Campbell Hausfield with a gold lens, but I've been spoiled by AD, it's just so darned handy"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by HighFly27Ok, that was Quick.I just bought the Jackson Balder BH3 on Amazon. The price was $ 263.50 with tax. I expect another $ 100.00 bucks back from Jackson with the rebate.So, I should have $ 163.50 in the BH3 when it's all said & done.  I was prepared to pay more $$$, hopefully I got the right helmet.. we will see. Avery
Reply:Shovelon & All,I've found out that the Prices @ Amazon are always in a State of Flux {welder   term) and vary daily. I bought the Jackson BH3 for $ 237.30 last night, then $ 16.61 tax = $ 253.01.  I made a ten buck mistake when I said $ 263.50 (above). Also, No Rebate of $ 100.00... another mistake, the Jackson $100.00 rebate ended in Dec. of 2012 or 2013.  However, if the BH3 does the job... I'm happy. Up Date -- I just called Amazon and got the -- $ 202.94 price and the difference credited back to my credit card... thanks for the lower price information. AveryLast edited by HighFly27; 09-26-2014 at 11:26 AM.Reason: added info.** Live Life as If There's No Tomorrow, then, You'll have a Number of Remembrance Smiles as You Prepare to Meet your Maker **Miller(s) 251 w/ Spool Gun 30 A, Big 40, Trailblazer 250 G.; IdealArc 400, SA-200, Classic SA-300, High Freq. Tig., LN-25.
Reply:Since you are wanting to use a cheater lens,  did you purchase the add on accessory holder for using a cheater lens with the hood?http://store.cyberweld.com/jabamaleh...pdItemDataTabsLast edited by Dan; 09-26-2014 at 11:27 AM.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:I've never welded with a BH3 but the first "quality" helmet I used (and later Bought) was an Optrel 680e.It really became a whole new world as I was suddenly welding in HiDef with a Huge range of colors and subtleties I never saw  I hope the Jackson does it for you, it realty Is worth the difference in cost for something you'll use for decades!
Reply:Dan and All,I did not buy the cheater lens holder. I just got new glasses and my vision is not that bad... overall.  If the glasses don't work that well... I'll go to the cheater route. I read a lot of reviews on the BH3 and a lot of 5 star ratings. It has 370 head gear and some of the reviews said, it needs adjustment all the time... we'll see.If I don't like it... I'll try to fix the head gear problem or move on to another helmets head gear {replacement); the 2nd time should be the charm (hopefully not). Avery** Live Life as If There's No Tomorrow, then, You'll have a Number of Remembrance Smiles as You Prepare to Meet your Maker **Miller(s) 251 w/ Spool Gun 30 A, Big 40, Trailblazer 250 G.; IdealArc 400, SA-200, Classic SA-300, High Freq. Tig., LN-25.
Reply:THIS VIDEO suggest buying a magnifier lens to see the weld puddle better. sounds like a good idea to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderTHIS VIDEO suggest buying a magnifier lens to see the weld puddle better. sounds like a good idea to me.
Reply:The cheapest I have found the replacement lens covers for the BH3 is weldingsupply.com.  just put in the part numbers from the manual.   I try and order when I need a bunch of other stuff as they do have a base shipping fee.   As for the hood itself, It's Amazon, so you can always return the hood if you don't like it.On the headgear, I found removing the pivot plate on the rear and replacing with a sheepskin sweat band that I cut it a hold in too fit over the adjustment knob bass the hood for better and more comfortable.  YMMVLast edited by soutthpaw; 09-26-2014 at 12:56 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I have had two Miller's (Elite and a Digital Elite), Optrel e680 and just got the Jackson from Amazon for $200ish plus the cheater lens holder.The Optrel I got used for $25 (estate sale - tossed in some new gloves, a bag, and a set of replacement lenses).  It is amazingly better than the Millers.With the Millers I'm always struggling to get the right settings to see the arc and to see the path ahead of the arc.The only down side to the Optrel is the smaller viewing area.  Love that helmet.The Jackson price came down and was a bargain I couldn't resist.  Its view is awesome.The helmet is a little lighter than the others - and feels a bit flimsier at first, but after a couple hours it was the right choice.I will note that the owners manual suggest that Jackson has some with external controls either available or soon to be available - maybe even a grind mode.  I searched and couldn't find much on them (like 3 other versions of the helmet) and definitely no pricing.Bottom line, I highly recommend the Jackson Balder BH3.  Amazon has (had?) the best price by far - about $200.  Amazon doesn't say it, but I believe the inner and outer lens covers are actually 10 packs (see the comments).  Welding Warehouse has a better price but they are special ordered (4-6 weeks estimated delivery).I bought the cheater lens holder from Amazon as well - I have lenses - the standard 2x4 ones fit just fine.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:I like my Miller Elite. Right now you can get a $70.00 rebate on the Elite. Here's some hoods from my local supplier, Welders Supply, in Wisconsin. http://www.weldersupply.com/C/32/Helmets
Reply:Originally Posted by con_fuse9I have had two Miller's (Elite and a Digital Elite), Optrel e680 and just got the Jackson from Amazon for $200ish plus the cheater lens holder.The Optrel I got used for $25 (estate sale - tossed in some new gloves, a bag, and a set of replacement lenses).  It is amazingly better than the Millers.With the Millers I'm always struggling to get the right settings to see the arc and to see the path ahead of the arc.The only down side to the Optrel is the smaller viewing area.  Love that helmet.The Jackson price came down and was a bargain I couldn't resist.  Its view is awesome.The helmet is a little lighter than the others - and feels a bit flimsier at first, but after a couple hours it was the right choice.I will note that the owners manual suggest that Jackson has some with external controls either available or soon to be available - maybe even a grind mode.  I searched and couldn't find much on them (like 3 other versions of the helmet) and definitely no pricing.Bottom line, I highly recommend the Jackson Balder BH3.  Amazon has (had?) the best price by far - about $200.  Amazon doesn't say it, but I believe the inner and outer lens covers are actually 10 packs (see the comments).  Welding Warehouse has a better price but they are special ordered (4-6 weeks estimated delivery).I bought the cheater lens holder from Amazon as well - I have lenses - the standard 2x4 ones fit just fine.
Reply:I have a Jackson Balder W70 BH3 helmet. It's a good helmet, lacking stuff like a torch/grinding mode but it's a decent AD helmet. I use it in tight situations where a passive helmet is a pain in the *** to manipulate or where I'm doing a lot of quick welds or tacks and such. I prefer a standard passive helmet with either a gold lens or the orange lens that Fibremetal puts in some of their hoods. My go to hood is a stock Tigerhood with the factory Fibremetal lens that has an orange-reddish tint to it, makes the puddle really clear for my eyes.Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Is there anyone here that's used a Jackson NexGen and Jackson Balder BH3?  Can you compare the two?Thanks,Dynasty 300DXSmith He/Ar gas mixerMM350PHobart Handler 120Smith LW7, MW5, AW1A
Reply:Originally Posted by 4sfedIs there anyone here that's used a Jackson NexGen and Jackson Balder BH3?  Can you compare the two?Thanks,
Reply:Hello All,I got my new Jackson BH3 helmet today. I tried it on and really liked the light weight of it.  I adjusted the friction and it held up OK, a slight nod and the helmet dropped down A Ok. I will weld with it a little later today and see what the weld puddle looks like, if I can see the weld puddle A Ok.. then it's a Winner.  Anyway, it was like Xmas morning and so far so good for a 65 YO with lots of old toys; today, a brand new (BH3) toy & 87 shopping days before Xmas... what a deal for ole me.  It's already better than (light wt. & head gear wise) any of my HF type helmets. Thanks All for the Advice, Avery** Live Life as If There's No Tomorrow, then, You'll have a Number of Remembrance Smiles as You Prepare to Meet your Maker **Miller(s) 251 w/ Spool Gun 30 A, Big 40, Trailblazer 250 G.; IdealArc 400, SA-200, Classic SA-300, High Freq. Tig., LN-25.