Its time to replace my early model Jackson but there is so much variety available Im a bit confused. Are any of the imports any good or should I stick to the USA brands? My needs are light to medium duty using MIG and stick in lighting conditions from dark to outdoors. I like the variable shade models, my old one is a fixed 12 and its far from ideal at times. And who has the best prices?
Jackson EQC master, is what I use at work, I would recommend it to anyone, works great. A buddy of mine just got the Jackson, NextGen unit, and that thing is about the best I have seen. Here is a link. http://www.jacksonproducts.com/whatsnew/goodbetterbest.asp
I use one from Harbor Freight and it works good for what I do light to medium MIG work. The only problem is the lenses delaminates so I take it back and they gave me a new one. For the $60 I have in it I cant complain, at least my neck doesn't ache like when I use my old lincoln with a gold lenses #9
I use a Jackson EQC "Executive" and would recommend it. You've just gotta remember to change out of your necktie and wingtips before welding.
Hi, Carl. It's always good to see you posting here. In my opinion, the latest foreign jobs are an amazing value. They work great and are surprisingly inexpensive. I bought a relatively expensive version two or three years ago, and I believe that the latest auto-dark helmets are better than what I have at a much lower price. I'm not sure that the numbers on the dial are the on the same scale as regular goggle lenses, though. Get one with the biggest viewing area. It's really nice to have. --Matt
Cant go wrong with a speedglass... I choose for the larger viewing area...plus side view areas. The side view panels are great...really gives you a real view instead of the traditional welding helmet view of close to nothing.. There definitely not the cheapest helmets out there....but If your going to be doing alot of welding....especially alot of tig work....you will be really really happy with one.
After using several other styles, makes and models of helmets, the Speedglass helmet that my husband gave me for Christmas is the best. I agree with the viewing area and you can drop cheaters right into them. They are lightweight and easy to adjust to a comfortable fit. I vote for Speedglass!
here's the option i used: step 1: buy cheapo non-auto darkening helmet ($25) step 2: buy a good auto-darkening lens ($75) step 3. install auto-darkening lens in cheap helmet step 4: laugh all the way to the bank! anyways it works great and is a lot cheaper than the auto darkening helmets which can cost like $250.
NexGen is a great auto darkening helmet. Had mine for 2 years after throwing the HF AD hemet in the trash. Yeah it cost $250, but a new set of eyes cost a bit more.
I use the Optrel OSC ? its the blue model, I use to have the Optrel burgandy model but the lens burnt out. I got the mask for free with the purchase of a Lincoln 375 tig I thinks its the best because its solar and has batteries. I think they're $200-300 ?.
I like my Miller - Stars and Stripes... It makes me look like Paul Jr. Seriously, I picked it up on Ebay for $125.
I have a $50.00 unit from Harbor freight. It seems to work great. I have never been spoiled by the large windows on the expensive models yet so this is a great improvement over flipping the helmet. I am relatively new to welding and the ability to see what I was doing before I start welding has helped me tremendously.
Where would one go about getting just the autodarkening lens? I've never seen them sold separately....
Carl HI,My kid does a lot of welding .If you are are doing welding in funny posistions the helments mostly have two light sensors and it is easy to block them in a funny spot.Our last buy of a helmet was a model with four sensors so you can't block them .Just a word to the wise.If wantthe dope on it let me know.
I got a Sellstrom Shadow with the full lens and it cost as much as one of my wire welders when I bought it. I can't believe how much my welding ability improved by not having to flip the lens anymore. The price is not that high any more, I was on the front end of the auto-darkening wave.
Not hijacking but let me ask a question that fits in here. I too have been shopping for a helmet and would like to get one of the HF autodarkening ones but in reading the fine print, they say that they are not appropriate for O/A welding. What's up with that? They are only usable with MIG? Any info to clear the fog in my brain would be much appreciated.
The amount of light generated from an O/A torch isn't enough to trip the auto darkening. That doesn't really matter, because the shade of the helmet is around #4 in the "off" position, which works pretty well for O/A welding. --Matt
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