Auto-darken hood? whats the BEST money can buy?

I dont weld much... I'd like to do more, but its a matter of seeing when the neighbors have had it with the grinder, and their kids need a stop saying "oooh, look at that pretty blue light!"

I've been sorta against auto darken hoods, 'fraid of fooking my eyes... figured I could be OG if I used a standard hood... now I've got some stuff to do where it'd be nice to be able to stop screwing around... need the auto darken.


I dont want to spend money for the sake of spending money, but whats the best "insurance" I can get for my eyes, what model, and who makes it? do they tell you the reaction time?

Pros and cons of solar powered vs battery? I think I need battery, as I said, I dont weld often, and I seem to be welding in the dark a lot lately, hence the need.

Thanks,
J

 

I really dig my Speedglass, it's the Hornell model HOR04-0012-20, it was over $300 but I didn't want to take any chances.
http://weilerwelding.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/EQChelmets.html

 

i'm a welding major....have used all sorts of different hood....have a speedglass right now....havent had a problem yet with it....best you can buy if ya ask me.

 

Optrel Satellite

 

Im using a Jackson, dont have model handy. Paid around $230 2 years ago; its been foolproof.

 

I also have a Jackson, mine has the smaller window, runs on a AAA battery (I think) and was around $125. I love it.
The way I keep from frying my eyes is to turn it on and look directly at a light bulb. It should change. It goes off automatically after 20 mins of down time, so it is a really good idea to check every time you start welding again.

If you get the solar powered one, you are supposed to let it sit in the sun for x hours. If you want to weld at night I imagine you'd be out of luck. Not to mention that when the "charge" wore off you'd be pretty pissed if you were in the middle of what you were doing.

I've used shitty brands that make your eyes hurt when you strike the arc and I can say that my Jackson is 100x better. No complaints whatsoever.

 

i have a speedglas 9000x also i love it soo much. you can do plasma cutting and mig tig.. the adjustablity is great too.. i wouldnt use anything else. the new 9002x looks pretty sweet.

 

That optrel one is bitchin, but its solar powered...

 

Well I purchased a cheap solar powered one at Harbor freight that was on sale for $59. Works off the light of the weld and so far has done a great job!

 

I'ma big fan of harbor freight stuff... but when it comes to safety equipment, not as much. I'm afraid of those cheapies, I know how HF's quality is hit or miss...

To me, its worth the extra $ to know the thing aint gonna fuck me...

 

I have a Lincoln don't know the model #, It was on sale at the SEMA show for $90, regular price is $180 I believe. It works great.KK