Difference between a high and low priced auto darkening helmet

[DrJones248]

Hi iv started a course at college and just wondering what differences and advantages a higher priced helmet has over a 40 quid one? I can guess the obvious ones like helmet materials, and glass size and comfort but what about the actual glass settings? Been looking at the 3m speedglass but want to ask people in the trade before shelling out for one, cheers!

 

[chunkolini]

I have three £25.00 cheapies and my Optrel E360. Cost circa £3-400 (paid £200 on fleabay).
Like comparing Oakleys to supermarket sunglasses.
Much better optics, I can adjust sensitivity, delay and shade over a much larger range.
Much more comfortable, easier to tip down and set the angle. More durable. All round nicer to use. I also have a built in hard hat which I thought was a bit gimicky until I cracked my nut on the end of a bar of metal.
Also has a grinding facility, thought that was pointless but very useful for a spot of grinding or cutting mid job.
The cheap ones work a treat, amazing for the price.
Try and get a comparitive test.

 

[wyn]

The higher end helmets seem to go down to shade 5 which is handy for lower amperage stuff. A lot of info on helmets say how the glass triggers at very low amps etc but if they only go down to shade 9 i think it would be a job to see what your welding.

Higher end helmets are more likely to be rated for overhead welding where you might have molten metal falling on them.

I've been using an optrel for 4 or 5 years....though it was a bit pricey the ability to have the lower shades has been great.

 

[norlander]

I have a medium priced one which was ok until I started tig welding and I could not get on with it -its 2 sensor solar powered and flashed up and I could not get the shade right so I bought a speedglas which to date has been great.
I'm only a beginner( well actually I'm a restarter after a number of years) but I would say go for battery powered helmet and 4 sensors if possible if you are going to do tig.
Higher price helmets usually mean spares and accessories availability and some sort of guarantee I think.

Just taking a tea break after doing some MMA using old helmet (Nederman) and speedglas 9000.
Old helmet was a bit erratic and could not see so well, the speedglas has side panels which let in more light-this knocked out the reflections from the overhead lights which can be a distraction on the older helmet, maybe an unfair comparison as the Nederman is at least 7 years old, and I have a corrective x2 lens in the speedglas, but the Nederman is getting retired after today.

 

[madwelder]

I've got a Speedglas 9100XX for work and use my old Parweld helmet in my spare time. Extras that my 9100XX has over the 'generic' welding helmets is a larger viewing window, multiple sensors, sensitivity and delay adjustments, and shades 5 and 8 - good for plasma cutting Also has a lot more adjustment in the headband, with two over-the-top bands, adjustment fore and aft and finer adjustment for how high or low it swings down. It also has a slight notch whilst held up rather than having to yank it too tight.

All in all that's all very much appreciated when I spend a day welding for 10 hours, but then my inferior Parweld helmet does just fine when I'm climbing all over a rusty/greasy old Land Rover

 

[PhillipM]

And both my cheap cheerful helmets have all the above features and have been as good as 300-400 quid branded versions, so...

 

[candor]

Using a parweld at the moment but reckon I'll need to get a helmet with a greater range of shades for plasma cutting. Any recommendations?

 

[chunkolini]

Just get a clear or green face shield.
I used clear for years with no problems, and bougt a green for nervous folk when running courses.
Barely tinted, much lighter than even gas welding goggles.

 

[M4TTDUFFY]

I have a £40 auto darkening helmet the true fusion 700e it goes from 13-4 in shades from 13-10 then flick a switch to change to 9-6 with a grind mode of 4 and it has been great and performs extremely well in all conditions. It's very comfy and fully adjustable with 4 arc sensors. I've used a speedglass and wasn't that impressed with it to be honest for the money whereas my cheap lid has taken drops, knocks and bars hitting it without breaking or cracking. My old mans lid is always breaking glass when it gets dropped. There's my 2 cents anyway if anyone is interested il shoot up some pics which I will be doing anyway as I'm posting up a thread about a mod I've done to it

 

[Psymon]

Depends what you are welding. I have an Esab airflow helmet as I Tig stainless steel. I won't use anything else as I don't want metal fumes in my lungs.

 

[M4TTDUFFY]

Depends what you are welding. I have an Esab airflow helmet as I Tig stainless steel. I won't use anything else as I don't want metal fumes in my lungs.

My helmet is now an airfed lid stealing my thunder haha

 

[ben8vgte]

I have a esab Aristo tech, though I got it new it was half the normal price. I only went for that as it goes down to shade 5 and is quite narrow as I mostly weld car panels.

I cant fault the comfort, far better than the cheaper mask I had. Wish I had got a air ready one though for stick welding..

 

[M4TTDUFFY]

I have a esab Aristo tech, though I got it new it was half the normal price. I only went for that as it goes down to shade 5 and is quite narrow as I mostly weld car panels.

I cant fault the comfort, far better than the cheaper mask I had. Wish I had got a air ready one though for stick welding..

I'm just writing a post you might be interested in mate gimme a few mins to get pics uploaded