Auto darkening helmet

[Wayne02]

Thinking about asking Santa for an auto darkening helmet this year.

It would need to work for mig/tig/stick, 80% inside work under florescent lighting, 20% outdoor work. Not overly concerned about price, but am concerned about quality, particularly in the area of headgear. I'd like to find something that can last two generations like my beloved huntsman 430P. My 25 year old sellstrom is still going strong as well.

What say you?

Bonus question: So far I have ok eyesight but do need glasses for reading, and it will of course get worse with age. I'm wondering how declining eyesight affects the use of welding helmets and welding in general. Do people just wear their regular glasses under the helmet? What happens when you are at the point where you may need glasses to see the puddle while welding, but distances just beyond that (like when grinding or set-up) don't require the glasses?????

Thanks

[PTSideshow]

Have had a Harbor fright one and used it for a couple of years. it isn't designed for low amp TIGging. Just picked up my new Digital elite Have had a chance to use it yet but it does fit nice for me.
I think that the head gear is a matter of choose and the amount you use it. And the length of time using it in a day.
Here is a great review on another forum of the elite digital low amp TIGGing ok goes down to 5amp or less. lots of senors for out of position welding http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ad.php?t=11548 cover the helmet like a blanket.


Answer to your second part question they have cheater lens that go inside the helmet or you can wear glasses since the recommend that you have on safety glasses and flash grade at all times.

I do wear mine which are also safety glasses sometimes and sometimes I don't. They have magnifier lens y7ou can get in different strengths to use.

[davidh]

i use bifocals as a added lense in my standard helmet. i tried the autodarks, a couple years ago, and could not stand it. i seemed to get flashed ever so slightly. gave it back.
friends that have good ones, swear by them. . .

i also use reading glasses besides the added close up lense and it too seems to help seeing what im doing.

however please note, i have VERY sensitive eyes. . . . .
and im getting old.

[macona]

I got my dad an Optrel Sattelite and I have one myself. One of the best helmets out there. Fully adjustable from 4 to 13. Controls on the outside to so too so you dont have to reach in to change settings.

The optrel also has adjustments to move the helmet further from your face. I have never had an issue with glasses.

[torker]

I've used Optrels for over 10 years now and wouldn't switch if my life depepnded on it. I bought the gurl a fancy new Miller helmet...thing is nothing but trouble. I'd never buy another.
Glasses...The only time they are a real pain is if you have to reach beyond the focus range (happens more than you think..when working on machinery).

[rmancini]

I use my regular bifocals under the hood but I did make an improvement --
I got a set of prescription "Double Dees". These are the bifocal portion of my glasses on both the upper and lower part of the lens.
These work great for overhead welding as you won't have to crane your neck back to see what you are doing.
I'm told thar airline pilots also like these for seeing overhead instruments.
Just a thought.
Rich

[Rustybolt]

I've used Optrels for over 10 years now and wouldn't switch if my life depepnded on it. I bought the gurl a fancy new Miller helmet...thing is nothing but trouble. I'd never buy another.
Glasses...The only time they are a real pain is if you have to reach beyond the focus range (happens more than you think..when working on machinery).

Started out with a #10 lens, then went to HF autdarkening. I should have bought the optel at the outset. Huge difference. I've had it a year now and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[doctor demo]

I have a Miller. About a year old and have already had the cartrige replaced once , no charge ... just a pain . New cartrige has new problem.... goes through batteries like a kids toy on Christmas Day. I had to finish a field install yesterday by welding by ear and by feel, thank goodness it was the last weld of the day or else.

I now officialy hate miller

Steve

[gnm109]

Take a look at SpeedGlas. I've used one for close to 8 years and it's still got the same batteries. It has settings for outdoor welding, indoor and low level TIG as well as sensitivity controls.They are very also light and the screen is big enough to see what you are doing.

There are other good ones as well but I couldn't do without one anymore.

[featherhead]

I'm thrilled with my ArcOne. It's got the largest lens on the market and with magnifiers I can see everything. The first lens deteriorated or cracked somehow and they replaced it no questions.