Helmet Clarity

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Been mig welding for a little over a year now.  I bought a Miller classic series helmet to get started.  It has worked well but I am looking to upgrade to bigger viewing area + better clarity. How much better clarity can I expect if I buy a Miller Digital Elite?  I feel like if I could see the puddle just a little clearer it would help out. Don't want to waste the money if its not going to help my welding.  Thanks for any input.
Reply:How often do you take your clear lens out and clean or replace.Helps a lotLast edited by Bls repair; 06-04-2016 at 05:03 PM.
Reply:I change them out when it gets real hard to see but how long can I expect these to last?  It just seems I can see the puddle sometimes good and other times its to dark.  I wonder if my torch angle is what make the difference.
Reply:Torch/MIG gun angle, welding amperage, joint configuration, how smoky the weld is, etc.  All can affect how well you can see the puddle.  Do you have the variable shade version or the fixed #10 version?  If yours isn't variable you may benefit from the variable shade version.  You could turn it down just a bit when you are having trouble seeing the puddle.  Just don't go too far and end up giving yourself eye strain.
Reply:Ambient lighting can make a big difference as well. I'll often find that in some of the booths at the tech school I have a nightmare trying to see the puddle vs what I see in other booths. It's due to the bad back lighting in those booths. Some times I simply can't stand where the students have the piece positioned and see well. I have to shift the stand so I don't get as much light in the back of my hood, or drape something over the back to block the light.I've had the same experience with poor lighting as well and some times I need to add lighting to the area to see..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Ambient lighting can make a big difference as well. I'll often find that in some of the booths at the tech school I have a nightmare trying to see the puddle vs what I see in other booths. It's due to the bad back lighting in those booths. Some times I simply can't stand where the students have the piece positioned and see well. I have to shift the stand so I don't get as much light in the back of my hood, or drape something over the back to block the light.I've had the same experience with poor lighting as well and some times I need to add lighting to the area to see..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Depends on conditions ,dust,welding over head ,smoke maybe 2-3 times a day.For back light I attach a Cotton bandana to the back of helmet to block light
Reply:I have added a light and modified back of hood which helped go from not seeing the puddle at all to now seeing the puddle sometimes really well and then the very next weld it seems I can't see.  Just wondering if better hood would make a difference or I just need to correct my technique. Don't want to waste the money on new hood if it is just a bad light angle or my technique.
Reply:I would take note how you are holding the gun when you can see well and force yourself to repeat it after awhile it will become natural .Take note of how you are looking at the puddle also(from side ,top )Last edited by Bls repair; 06-04-2016 at 06:15 PM.
Reply:I will just keep practicing and try to be more aware of what works and what don't.  Thanks for input this forum has been very valuable in learning a new skill.  I may not be a professional but I have improved alot in the last year thanks to reading on this forum.
Reply:Nobody starts as a professional.
Reply:Geewiz Doug, you don't have to harp on the poor guy. Once would have been enough ! Before I would buy a NEW hood try the one you are considering from someone that has it .
Reply:Personally, I find a good glass fixed shade lens (I prefer the gold coated ones) to be much, much clearer than any AD hood I've ever tried. Way cheaper, too.Be careful not to alter the way you weld to aid in your vision. I've seen many inexperienced welders, mostly while stick welding, run too long of an arc length because it provides a little more light in the immediate area.
Reply:I just bought a Lincoln Viking 3350 4C Black Welding Helmet that is very nice and clear. the wide lens makes it nice to. The optical clarity is great. When buying your next helmet look at how optical clarity is. This will help you on seeing what you are welding.Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:Here's  an article from The Fabricator.com about clarity in auto darkening hoods.
Reply:I tried fixed shade gold lens today it was brighter but still had trouble consistently reading puddle.  Then I decided to take off bifocal glasses and install a cheater lens problem solved.  I can now read puddle well.  I don't know what makes a difference because I can see well with my bifocals but the cheater lens works better for welding so thats what I'll use.
Reply:You may be switching between the top and bottom of the bifocals with knowing.
Reply:I've had to drop down to a shade 8 on my mig welds to see, I weld only at 40 to 60 amps. Actually an 8.5 shade would be better, the Digital Elite will adjust to only 8 or 9. 8 is just a bit too bright for tig welding for me, again an 8.5 shade would be better so I settle for a shade 9. I have never used anything darker than a 9, as I've got older its a tad too dark. Wearing strong glasses is a must for me to see anything.Syncrowave 250 Tig RunnerDynasty 210DX Tig RunnerMiller MM211Everlast 250EXEverlast Plasma 70
Reply:I don't weld much, but I've started wearing reading glasses under hood.  Makes quite a difference.
Reply:Nothing compares to a good high quality welding helmet lens,  if you've welded for a week or a lifetime.  The less problems you have to deal with the more you can concentrate on the actual welds,  the digital elite is a great shield,  I got to run a bead through the new speedglas 9100 xxi,  (I believe that's the model)  it turns on automatically,  it's crazy how clear and good you can see the welds,  is it worth it for a non professional who doesn't weld everyday? Hell yes,  you only live once,  if welding is your hobby and you love it,  buy the absolute best equipment you can afford,  you'll never regret it,  plus if u ever decide to sell it,  you'll be more likely to get your money back..
Reply:Originally Posted by Bls repairNobody starts as a professional.
Reply:Originally Posted by HotstartNothing compares to a good high quality welding helmet lens,  if you've welded for a week or a lifetime.  The less problems you have to deal with the more you can concentrate on the actual welds,  the digital elite is a great shield,  I got to run a bead through the new speedglas 9100 xxi,  (I believe that's the model)  it turns on automatically,  it's crazy how clear and good you can see the welds,  is it worth it for a non professional who doesn't weld everyday? Hell yes,  you only live once,  if welding is your hobby and you love it,  buy the absolute best equipment you can afford,  you'll never regret it,  plus if u ever decide to sell it,  you'll be more likely to get your money back..
Reply:Originally Posted by Bls repairYou may be switching between the top and bottom of the bifocals with knowing.
Reply:To the OP I'm glad to hear you are getting things worked out. It's very tough to figure out and solve sight issues as no one but you can really tell what does or does not work and there are so many different variables that can effect what you see. many times it's a combination of issues causing the problems and issues don't always seem to appear when you think they should..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan