Hood/ helmet for inverter

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I just started to relearn tig, after being away from it for 10 years. My old el-cheapo auto hood isn't cutting it.I'm looking for a good quality hood that is flexable for different applications, but mainly I need it to perform with an inverter.I'm not trying to start a Ford v Chevy war, I just would like the name and model numbers to look at, and if your happy with it.TIA Rich
Reply:I don't believe you you need any special hood for inverters. I use inverters quite often and have used diff. types of auto hoods. The hood I use now is just my old favorite Huntsman with a flip.  revpol
Reply:Except for the headgear, I am very happy with the Jackson EQC Executive, which is pre NexGen.  The lens is great, but I sure hope they've upgraded the headgear.  My $20 HD Lincoln back-up has great headgear; what's so hard about it?If you are looking for top-of-the-line, don't stop until you've tested the Optrel Satellite and the brand new Miller Big Window Elite (different from the other Elites.)
Reply:I vote for the Big Elite . I just got one and is it nice! The big view is worth it.
Reply:Inverters do make a difference.....  Why do you think the biggest names in hoods are all marketing new helmets that are "inverter safe"??I went rounds with Miller for a while before finally selling my Miller hood and buying the Optrel Satellite.  It's the best, as far as I'm concerned.  The speedglas 9000 series is good as well, but requires more frequent adjustment of the sensitivity.  I would comment on the "new" Miller elite hoods, but I haven't seen one in person yet, let alone tried one.Another safe bet is the Nexgen.  Steer clear of the $50 to $150 range hoods for this type of application.  For just over $200 you can get a Satellite and eliminate the need for concern.
Reply:The best helmet is a hornell speed glass. it will cost a little more than some of the others but it has the highest quality. A optrel a 8 layers while the hornell has 14. the helmet to but is 9000x. it has varible shades from 9 to 13, a sensitive setting for tig welding and works with an inverter that i have used. if it wortj buying buy the best.
Reply:Originally posted by ian The best helmet is a hornell speed glass. it will cost a little more than some of the others but it has the highest quality. A optrel a 8 layers while the hornell has 14. the helmet to but is 9000x. it has varible shades from 9 to 13, a sensitive setting for tig welding and works with an inverter that i have used. if it wortj buying buy the best.
Reply:Myself, I use a Optrel Satellite.  I do believe that you will have good results from any of the quality name brand helmets.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:So many to choose from, wish there was a comparsion chart to look at!The 9000x is there a big difference between it and the 9000 (u)??? or what the old letter was? Rich
Reply:a 9000x is a multi shade and the the u is a single shade- 10 or 11.
Reply:What shade do you need for inverter welding if you plan to staylow tech basic drop down helmet? Any rocommendations for sucha basic lid? I figure these were around long before solar, astro,auto buzz lightyear, and I haven't met any blind welders latelyalthough my welding buddies say I must be blind after lookingat my beads.
Reply:dicharry: I use a 10 for 3/32 tig & stick, a no. 11 for 1/8, a no. 12 for just about anything over 175amps.  An auto hood is not necessary for inverters it's just a selling point. A good flip down with a comfortable headband works fine. Auto hoods are nice (if you want to spend the money) if you are doing some real fine work or alot of tacking & fitting.  revpol
Reply:When I first started to tig I tried all kinds of auto helmets within a reasonable price range for me at the time (believe me, a speedglass would have been awesome!). After fighting the auto helmets which after 2 hours would give me a headache from the light to darkening effect as well as trying to learn to tig. I settled for a plain old $25.00 Lincoln flip down hood with the large lens and just learned to nod my head before welding. The helmet was light and comformtable and after a few days nodding was second nature. No more headaches and I could concentrate on learing to weld. I wasted alot of money reaching this conclusion that if saved up, I could have purchased the speedglass.TiggerAaronHTP Invertig 201w/ CK-20 torch and Bernard ChillerHTP MicroCut 300 plasma cutterLincoln R3S-325 w/ TA 17A Wire FeederVictor Super Range II O/A kitClausing/Colchester 13X40 LatheBridgeport 9X42 Mill
Reply:I got my new Miller Elite just last week(stars and stripes paint) and I am loving it.  I've done everything from MIG, stick and TIG of stainless and aluminum with no problems.  You can even set the sensitivity so low that it will kick on the sparks from your tig to your finger(not intential).  I paid 250(no tax in Oregon) for it and it came with several inside and outside lenses.  Even a hood bag.My only guff with it is the power button is at the top of the lens, so it is turned off, you either have to reach over your nose or take it off to turn it on.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.