What to look for in Auto-Darkening Helmet?

[78Z]

I'm not really sure what to look for. I'd like to get a reasonable quality piece since you only get one set of eyes.

Here's two I've found. Thoughts? (price in Cdn$)

https://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=7674
https://www.bosstoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2421

 

[GregW]

The thing I don’t like about those two examples is the shade adjustment knob is on the outside of the helmet. I don’t know how easily it is to turn but it seems like you could bump it with your gloves as you tilt the visor up and down. My helmet adjusts on the inside. The response time on the second link is a little strange. .06ms would equal .00006 seconds, which is pretty darn fast. The first link at .005 sec seems more realistic.

 

[mikeyr]

A friend has a less expensive brand of helmet and he goes through batteries like crazy. It uses some odd battery that is $7 to $8 and has to buy one a month. I think that is where they do some cost cutting, the circuits are not as efficient. Nothing wrong with the helmets just ask about battery life and the cost of those batteries.

My Miller still has its original $3 battery after a year of use.

 

[78Z]

Thanks guys!

 

[Bruce Bowker]

Miller has a reaction time of 1/20,000 sec. I would buy a known brand with fast reaction time.

Bruce

 

[JamesWilson]

I'd agree with the previous comments and add:

The "solar" power feature means you won't need batteries and can avoid the hassle of having them die in the middle of a job. It costs more, but the helmet is also lighter then and more comfortable to wear besides being more convenient.

If you're going to be using it with a specific machine/application you'll find you don't need to adjust it- mine has only a 10/11 shade and I've never felt any reason to use anything else for automotive MIG welding. If you've already used a standard helmet you'll know the shade you need and how often you might want or need to vary it. The variability is a nice feature but not one I'd be likely to use- would you need it?

These usually come with a plastic cover over the darkening filter. If you can, it may be useful to get a spare- they can be scratched or otherwise damaged and welding spatter can also have an effect.

I also find it useful to keep the items being welded well lighted because the filter does reduce the visibility some even when not fully darkened. But I'm blind as a bat at the best of times....

I keep meaning to get a big box to store mine in too, to save having to dust it off whenever I want to use it....

 

[Mark Jones]

I bought one from Princess Auto. This one normally goes on sale for about $160. It's worked well for me.