Hood options with non-green lenses

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Noob here,I was taking a MIG class this weekend and I had a hugely difficult time seeing with a couple of the hoods that were available.The hoods were autodarkening, had a variable "darkness adjustment knob" (set at 10), and, when darkened, a green lens.The problem I had was not in seeing the pool (that was fine), but seeing the area to be welded (think of the gap between 2 pieces of metal being butt welded together that has not been welded yet). We lightened up the lens a little but that still did not help.I'm thinking that my problem might be caused by the green color of the lens. I have slight color blindness in the blue-green wavelengths. It's not that I can't see blue or green, but it is a problem distinguishing various shades from each other. I know that I won't be seeing things in HD TV like clarity (that's a joke), but I could not see a gap, at all while welding. Head position was not the issue, as I followed the instructor's instructions and then, when I couldn't see the gap, I varied my head position to see if I could find any orientation that would work.My vison is not a problem (it's better than 20/20 tested a few months ago).Google is my friend so I searched on this issue several times but got no clear picture. I also searched for autodarkening hoods with lenses of some other color than green but couldn't find any. I don't care about the cost because I need to see where I'm going to weld--otherwise it's useless having me continue. I don't want a non-autodarkeing hood as I want to see my materials before I start to weld.If anyone has any suggestions on hoods, I would appreciate the recommendations.Thanks,Mike
Reply:I have an Optrel AD hood, that has a true color filter lens, it's nice. Jackson makes an ad hood with an Amber looking filter. You can always go fixed shade gold lens, that offers a amber like filter.  I also have a Speedglas helmet, it's like a blueish green, and that's a very nice hood too. You have options, some are cheaper then others, but there is options..
Reply:I've found the general lighting in many weld booths at the tech schools to be marginal at best many times. You may simply find adding an additional light source to your booth may help. I've seen several students who will bring one of the clamp on lights to class in their bag. Either the cheap flood light holders with a clamp, or the small halogen clamp lights. Just remember to set it up so that it doesn't shine in the back of your hood and cause glare on the back of the lens.Eyes can do strange things with different people. I had one student years ago who needed a yellow light to do decent welds. For whatever reason when he used a yellow flood light he could see decent and made good welds. Replace the yellow bulb with a white one and his welds were crap. He simply couldn't see well enough to do a decent job. I can't remember if he had issues with color blindness or not..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:The silver ESAB New Tech hood has a very clear blue lens.  I have enjoyed this hood a lot.I play with Robots and do some welding.
Reply:Mike,Fork out the $12ish dollars for a gold #9 lense to put in a fixed helmet, at least then you'd have a better comparison to go by.List your location too.  I know lots of members would let you test different helmets; I know I would.  I'm fascinated by helmets (different than a fetish, you pervs) and go through them like most people change underwear.And welcome to WW also.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:If you can't see anything then its not due to the color tint of the filter. People put way too much emphasis on the color. If your clear lens is smokey or burned it should be replaced. Your lens should be as optically clear as new safety glasses, and likewise should be replaced when the scratches start hindering your vision.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:The gold lens with a fixed shade is my fave over the greenish auto dark when it comes to getting it right; the autodark is fine for fitting up or tacking etc.  Try gold to determine....
Reply:Totally true statement about the lighting in school shop. Never thought about bringing my own light.20/20 distance vision is a totally different thing than 20/20 near/intermediate vision. So if you have trouble seeing things when they are close to you, you may still need some correction at that distance, even tho your distance vision is perfect. Trouble at the closer distances would def keep you from seeing a gap... As effectively as poor lighting!
Reply:Originally Posted by EarthyGirl20/20 distance vision is a totally different thing than 20/20 near/intermediate vision. So if you have trouble seeing things when they are close to you, you may still need some correction at that distance, even tho your distance vision is perfect. Trouble at the closer distances would def keep you from seeing a gap... As effectively as poor lighting!
Reply:Gold lens, Omni View is the best on the market today, nice white arc and clear view of the puddle.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWTrue. I'm near sighted and have worn glasses for years. However about a year ago I noticed 2 things while welding at the tech school. Some days I simply had a hard time seeing the puddle clearly, and then I noticed I was occasionally looking over the top of my standard glasses more and more when doing close up work. As a result I went and saw my eye Doc and had him give me a new prescription for a set of glasses for work/welding. They focus at about 18" so I can see better close up than the normal glasses set up for driving and distance, but they are still strong enough I can drive with them if I need to.They make safety glasses with reader lenses to help with close up viewing as well as cheaters you can add to your hood for those that might not need prescription glasses full time.