Need Advice on Mid-Level AD Helmets - Up to about $200

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Howdy Friends - Asking for some advice on AD helmets.I'm just a weekend welder - mostly do mig in my home shop, and mostly light fabrication work.  I've been using a $50 Antra hood I got several years ago off Amazon, and it has served me OK for what I gave for it.  Problem is, I just don't see as well as I used to, and the last year or so I've really begun to struggle seeing what and where I'm welding.  I bought a cheater lens that helps some, but it mostly just makes the image I'm seeing bigger - not clearer.  I feel certain a helmet with better optics would help...so I'm in the market for the best helmet I can buy for about $200 or less.  As you might guess, my main objective is improved optics/clarity.  Other features - durability, head gear quality and comfort, modes, battery life, etc - are important also, but take a back seat to optics.I've been comparison shopping, and here is a list of a few that fit my budget, but I don't know if any are better than the rest.  Do any of these stand out as better than (or worse than) others in this price range?  Does anyone have another helmet that they think is better than what I'm already looking at?  My budget is pretty firm at around $200 - I just can't justify spending much more.  If I spent 8-10 hours a day under the helmet, it'd be different...but I spend more like 8-10 hours a week.  Jackson Insight 46131Lincoln Viking 1840Miller Digital Performance 282000Esab Savage A40Hobart Inventor 770890Speedglass 9002NC (at $236, this one is a bit more than I really want to spend, but I'd consider if it's clearly better than anything else I'm looking at)I'd really appreciate the thoughts of anyone knowledgeable about any helmets in my price range.Thanks!RedLast edited by SeenRed; 05-21-2021 at 04:03 PM.God bless our military men and women and their families!  To all our veterans and active duty military...Thank You For Your Service!Hobart Handler 210 MVP
Reply:hf vulcan works very well with similar optics as the other big boy brands. but the lincoln has good reviews.
Reply:I have the Arcone, and LOVE it. Have a Miller Digital Elite and hate the head gear, the arcone has better visibility for me too... but that is a user issue vs quality issue.I haven't built anything I can't throw away.  Perfection is the journey.    Mac
Reply:I'm similar situation as you-older eyes, not a pro, etc.  I've been needlessly suffering from a HF to a Yesweld helmet.  Yesterday my ESAB A40 Savage arrived and today I got to try it out.  Is the word "gamechanger" too strong?$84 total, shipped from Baker's Gas.  I can see all the colors naturally, no green tint.  The AD kicks in perfectly, is easy to adjust, and doesn't trip needlessly.  The headgear is the most comfortable I've ever tried and with a 2.0 cheater I can clearly the puddle and surrounding area.  I know I'm an amateur, but anyone here would be very VERY hard pressed to show me a better helmet for the price - even up to the $200 mark.Yeswelder MIG-205DS(3) Angle Grinders at the ReadyJust a hobbyist trying to improve
Reply:Appreciate ya'lls input.  I'm leaning toward the Lincoln Viking.  A guy whose YT channel I've been following for a while - Allen's Welding -  did recommendation video on the Viking.  Although I've also strongly considered that Esab A40 as well.  Thanks again for the comments!RedGod bless our military men and women and their families!  To all our veterans and active duty military...Thank You For Your Service!Hobart Handler 210 MVP
Reply:https://weldcotemetals.com/klear-view-auto-darkening/Very nice helmet for 149.00
Reply:Originally Posted by ShootrI'm similar situation as you-older eyes, not a pro, etc.  I've been needlessly suffering from a HF to a Yesweld helmet.  Yesterday my ESAB A40 Savage arrived and today I got to try it out.  Is the word "gamechanger" too strong?$84 total, shipped from Baker's Gas.  I can see all the colors naturally, no green tint.  The AD kicks in perfectly, is easy to adjust, and doesn't trip needlessly.  The headgear is the most comfortable I've ever tried and with a 2.0 cheater I can clearly the puddle and surrounding area.  I know I'm an amateur, but anyone here would be very VERY hard pressed to show me a better helmet for the price - even up to the $200 mark.
Reply:I have a Miller digital elite. Works better then the cheepo I used to run. It has curved edges on the glass and not sure if generic cover lenses are available. I lot of guys at work sware by the Jackson fixed (passive)helmet. Light enough for all day ware. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:I'd get the Esab Savage.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveA 2.0 cheater is pretty strong and could cause eye strain and fatigue. The Esab A40 looks to be a good helmet. The Speedglass is basically a popular older style helmet with a new better clarity lens. See how easy it is to get replacement cover plates. Don't want to have order them in and wait.
Reply:I use a 2.0 after having cataract surgery for reading and welding.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:For some a 2.0 is OK but if your eyes are pretty good to begin with might be a little too much. Not worth trying to polish cover plates. The biggest problem I have with cover plates is they get kind of a film on them that distorts your vision and is hard to see through. For a standard helmet I like the CR39 cover plates a lot better than the standard polycarbonate.
Reply:So I ended up going right to the top of my budget and bought a Viking 2450 for $227.  Did my first welding with it yesterday, and can definitely see a big difference...I’m seeing the puddle again. Thanks again for everyone’ insights. RedGod bless our military men and women and their families!  To all our veterans and active duty military...Thank You For Your Service!Hobart Handler 210 MVP
Reply:Originally Posted by SeenRedSo I ended up going right to the top of my budget and bought a Viking 2450 for $227.  Did my first welding with it yesterday, and can definitely see a big difference...I’m seeing the puddle again. Thanks again for everyone’ insights. Red
Reply:Originally Posted by N2 WeldingPersonally I would have opted to pay about $40 to $50 more for the Lincoln 3350 4c hood with a larger viewing area as well as the addition of an external grind button.  My 3350 4c does not have the external grind mode button or the new sun detection differentiation built in so you can weld outside with out the sun causing the hood to darken on and off when not wanted.  Boy technology keeps getting better and better.  I’m almost tempted to sell my 3350 4c hood to buy one of these newer hoods. ]
Reply:I went with the Esab A40 based on feedback here.  Around $125 from Amazon.  So far i've only done high current TIG aluminum with it but am very pleased.  Natural colours and clarity are very good, making it easier to see what's going on in the puddle.  it's very lightweight and the head gear is comfortable.  i think for TIG it's a game changer, given that both hands are always full and you can't always nod the helmet down.
Reply:After using many "less expensive" AD helmets I bought a 3350 many years ago. Very good helmet, I should have bought it before the others but I thought the price was a bit high. I love the helmet! Only problem I've had was letting the helmet sit for long periods of time without use caused the battery to go dead (hobby welder). Now I take the battery out when I know it's going to sit for months (plus I have spare batteries on hand). You'll like the clarity of your helmet, I prefer the large view (old eyes). I also installed a cheater lens in the helmet plus use reading glasses so I can see what I'm doing!
Reply:here is a very nice helmet I bought about 2 years ago at $170.  My old eyes were having problems with tig welding now I can do just fine.the head gear is great very well made.https://www.eastwood.com/panoramic-v...ng-helmet.htmlDIY CNC Plasma table USB BOB Price THCHypertherm 65Everlast PowerTig 255 EXTMiler 180 Mig13" metal latheMill/ DrillECT, ECT,
Reply:I’ve spent a few hours under this Viking 2450, and I’m very happy with it.  In terms of clarity, there’s no comparison with the cheaper hoods I’ve used.  Amazing how much better welds I can make by seeing the puddle clearly.  RedGod bless our military men and women and their families!  To all our veterans and active duty military...Thank You For Your Service!Hobart Handler 210 MVP
Reply:These are the best welding helmet for me. The sensors in the helmet will automatically increase or lower the shade of the lens depending on the welding process. Take a look here: https://www.hampdon.com.au/safety/welding/helmets/