New auto darkening helmet opinions wanted

[Master Hack]

MY really old AD helmet is done for finally and I plan on replacing it real soon. Though it served me well, its worn out and I can't see very well out of it. I'm sure technology has improved in the last few years. I read they don't need fuel oil to operate any longer. They have solar stuff and something about batteries, whatever that is...Point is they have to be better than they were years ago.
SO what is your fav? I've talked to welders, and suppliers and one seems have risen to the top of the list.
I know a bunch of ya are gunna say harbor fright and that's fine, but I'm concerned about quality, both operational and durability.
I want to know how well your fav is working and holding up to real life abuse.
I don't mind spending the bux on a good one, cuz I'm kind a freak about my eyes.
comparisons are great if ya got'em.
Bring it on!

This is the top contender at this point:

Weldcote Metals Ultraview Plus True Color Digital Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Shade 9-13, Black

Weldcote Metals Ultraview Plus True Color Digital Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Shade 9-13. Fast shipping on Weldcote Metals auto darkening welding helmet and welding supplies from Weldfabulous.

weldfabulous.com

 

[Rat]

MY really old AD helmet is done for finally and I plan on replacing it real soon. Though it served me well, its worn out and I can't see very well out of it. I'm sure technology has improved in the last few years. I read they don't need fuel oil to operate any longer. They have solar stuff and something about batteries, whatever that is...Point is they have to be better than they were years ago.
SO what is your fav? I've talked to welders, and suppliers and one seems have risen to the top of the list.
I know a bunch of ya are gunna say harbor fright and that's fine, but I'm concerned about quality, both operational and durability.
I want to know how well your fav is working and holding up to real life abuse.
I don't mind spending the bux on a good one, cuz I'm kind a freak about my eyes.
comparisons are great if ya got'em.
Bring it on!

This is the top contender at this point:

Not entirely sure what the branding on mine is but I got it at Horrible Fright. With 5yrs of abuse (welding, dropping, and falling off of wherever it was sat down) it still works as hood as it ever did. It's exclusively solar driven (love not changing batteries to not go blind) and has settings for darkness (9-13) sensitivity, and delay which is nice for being able to see well enough to strike an ARC where you intended, I've got the delay turned way down to minimize it and the sensitivity at about half which occasionally leads to an annoying lens flicker if I happen to ignite some old paint or whatever near a hot bead. (Probably going to turn it down now that I've said that) but I've never knowingly welded with it above 10, and prefer 9. I did try it on 13 once and it was as useless as a blindfold turned up that high

 

[Darren]

ESAB savage A40 clearview, fantastic helmet. One battery in 5 years.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I am a cheapskate, but this is one area where being cheap does not pay. Not only for the safety of your vision, but for being able to see during the welding process itself.

 

[Master Hack]

able to see during the welding process itself.

I test drove the above mentioned helmet and quickly learned why my welds have been looking like s**t!
It's a big improvement to actually be able to see what yer doing!

 

[Rat]

ESAB savage A40 clearview, fantastic helmet. One battery in 5 years.

No battery to change is better, and being highly adjustable is a damn good perk too

 

[Darren]

Welding is part of my job, I'm out on site most of the time, £500 helmets are a waste of money due to possible damage. ESAB are a trusted and well established brand. The Clearview is a step up in Autodarken technology. The battery is a back up to the solar and only used for low light applications, the A40 has all the adjustment I need for tig,mig,arc, and grinding.
Solar is not always the answer, I've tried many welding helmets, the Esab gave the best results, and has proved itself many times, as I would imagine have many others of known brands. I've been welding for around 40years, helmets are a disposable piece of safety equipment, my eyes are fine because I've used good branded welding helmets

 

[G.W]

I like my titanium brand helmet from harbor freight. It's been through alot and it works just as well as the day I got it. Here's a picture of it in action.

 

[Master Hack]

I think my 30 year old helmet might be past due for replacement. Other than age related vision changes my eyes have been pronounced good.
I don't weld 8 hours a day as a real welder would, but still Its time for an up grade.
Thanks for the tips, keep 'em coming.

 

[Denny]

I have heard Lincoln and Hobart have some very good helmets. I’m thinking of upgrading from my 60 year old flip up also. I’m curious to see how this thread goes.

 

[G.W]

I have heard Lincoln and Hobart have some very good helmets. I’m thinking of upgrading from my 60 year old flip up also. I’m curious to see how this thread goes.

Those are extremely expensive though

 

[Master Hack]

heard Lincoln and Hobart

As well as miller and a couple of others. Miller and lincoln are too proud of theirs, from what l am seeing here. Being old school and cheap, i was probably at least 20 years past due for an update. Even the worst of the ones l test drove is miles ahead of what l've been using.

 

[Rat]

Here we go...

It works more than just well enough and didn't cost an obscene figure

 

[G.W]

Here we go...

It works more than just well enough and didn't cost an obscene figure
View attachment 146344

When I used the Chicago Electric helmet it worked good until it didn't. After about a year of almost daily use it quit auto darkening. I tried letting it solar charge for a while, but it just stopped working.

 

[Master Hack]

Those only work in Chicago.
after consulting with my welder buddies and a coupla test drives, and some serious discounts from my friend at the welding supply shop, l pulled the trigger on the helmet l put the link to. (Above)
3 year warranty $125

 

[G.W]

Those only work in Chicago.
after consulting with my welder buddies and a coupla test drives, and some serious discounts from my friend at the welding supply shop, l pulled the trigger on the helmet l put the link to. (Above)
3 year warranty $125

Hard to beat thay price for a good helmet

 

[Rat]

When I used the Chicago Electric helmet it worked good until it didn't. After about a year of almost daily use it quit auto darkening.

5 years of abuse and counting

I tried letting it solar charge for a while, but it just stopped working.

That's totally NOT how that one works. There is no battery ergo nothing to charge. The solar panel uses the arc flare to directly power the lens.
Odds are you dropped it one too many times, or once at just the right angle and damaged the circuit board that sits between the solar panel and the inner controls. May have even gotten one with a weak board, idk.

All I can say for certain is that for it being an $80 piece of PPE It has consistently handled more than I ever would ever have expected.

 

[Master Hack]

For me at least history has proven that anything from HF that requires electrons in any form to operate is less than reliable. My experience only. I don't mind spending more for what l percieve as better quality. May or may not be the case, but its my perception so l'll anty up. My old helmet survived 30 years of abuse. I bought it from the local welding shop. So l'll support a local biz that treats me right.
However there is an angle grinder l got from HF 25 years ago for $9.99 that defiles ther rule. It just won't die.

lt is nice to see that in general quality @ HF is improving.

 

[Rat]

For me at least history has proven that anything from HF that requires electrons in any form to operate is less than reliable. My experience only. I don't mind spending more for what l percieve as better quality. May or may not be the case, but its my perception so l'll anty up. My old helmet survived 30 years of abuse. I bought it from the local welding shop. So l'll support a local biz that treats me right.
However there is an angle grinder l got from HF 25 years ago for $9.99 that defiles ther rule. It just won't die.

lt is nice to see that in general quality @ HF is improving.

Improving, but almost everything is from China so there's still a lot of room for improvement regardless.

It's really sad that 30 years ago, Made in the USA actually meant quality... now not only is it somewhat rare (just about everything comes from China, Taiwan, India, or Malaysia) but it doesn't really mean anything at all.
Hell "American" cars aren't even American at all...not even assembled.

Since 2000 or maybe earlier a typical Chevy has an engine from Shanghai, transmission from Japan, body and interior from Canada, misc components from Mexico, and all assembled in Canada. Dodge nor Ford are any better.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I just got one of these because it goes lower than 9.
Anything has got to be better than the HF blue flame special