Got my heart set on a new mask.

[Richard.]

I'm far from an expert on the Jackson products as this one is the only one I've ever used but the one in the link is a wh70 and the one I used was a w70. I guess that's the difference

 

[pedrobedro]

I watched the video and gathered that the WH70 has a different colour lens. At £161 in UK it looks a competitor for Optrel.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Not completely sure I would want to import a welding helmet from the US no matter how good it might be, bearing in mind that the difficulty of getting parts, if its not something which is already on sale in the UK?

I have Miller Digital Elite, and its very very good, is supported in the UK, light and comfortable to wear, and seems perfect for low amp Tig work, as arc is sensed electromagnetically so will trigger at the very lowest settings.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I have two welding lids.

Speedglas 9100 + Optrel E680

The Speedglas headband is useless. It has so many adjustments, but whatever you do with it, it justs falls off your head in any other position than just welding at a bench.

Optrel headband is a far better bet!

I have a big stock 9002x and a 9002 flexview, I love them but I hate the jockey mouse headgear, I do think my next purchase will be an optrel e684

 

[super noob]

I was bouncing between the top optrel model and speedglas 9100xxi....I rarely do any overhead, the batteries and spare parts are hard to get hold of or not able to be replaced on the optrel and I quite like the side windows on the speedglas....I'd prefer them ins shade 8 instead of 5 but the quality of the helmet is brilliant....I've been using it today for tig welding

I was originally set on a miller due to it being cheaper than the speedglas but as none were in stock in the uk I went with the speedglas and don't regret it

 

[Richard.]

I have the same lid Dan 9002X
They are good but like my new tech they were both £300 over 10 years ago. I deserve a new one as this isn't a case of triggers broom.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I was bouncing between the top optrel model and speedglas 9100xxi....I rarely do any overhead, the batteries and spare parts are hard to get hold of or not able to be replaced on the optrel and I quite like the side windows on the speedglas....I'd prefer them ins shade 8 instead of 5 but the quality of the helmet is brilliant....I've been using it today for tig welding

I was originally set on a miller due to it being cheaper than the speedglas but as none were in stock in the uk I went with the speedglas and don't regret it

I have Miller, Speedglas and ESAB, and the Miller is the best of the three by a fair way. Not easy to try different helmets nowadays as most bought online, so I guess I was taking a chance on the Miller without even seeing one first? Miller parts all available here in the UK, but things like cover lenses probably much cheaper from US, and not going to cost much to ship (I hope!).

 

[Richard.]

I've heard good things about the elite digital. I'd love to try one out. The Viking 3350 is a quality unit. I was considering that for my next one before I tried the Jackson

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I use a Miller elite, can't fault it really. Although.. The only reason i've got one is because my boss' gave it to me as a present.
If i had a choice it'd probably have bought myself either a Optrel from @westcoweld or maybe one of the new Aristo Tech HD's from ESAB.

 

[Richard.]

I use a Miller elite, can't fault it really. Although.. The only reason i've got one is because my boss' gave it to me as a present.
If i had a choice it'd probably have bought myself either a Optrel from @westcoweld or maybe one of the new Aristo Tech HD's from ESAB.

I've tried the new HD and it's very nice. Has same feature as the elite with the electromagnetic sensor on XTIG.
although I still believe you cannot beat the new tech XL if choosing an Esab. It's old and big but great optics had mine well over 10 years now.

 

[Kent]

I got another eye test and a new prescription for reading glasses it's made lots of difference. I doubt I will get much from a dearer visor except a big receipt and a cold feeling when I drown it. Crush it or leave it somewhere lol
Good luck to you though the best I ever welded was with a cheap old school split screen - often wish I had stolen it rather than throw it at my ex boss in my final seconds of PAYE

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I've tried the new HD and it's very nice. Has same feature as the elite with the electromagnetic sensor on XTIG.
although I still believe you cannot beat the new tech XL if choosing an Esab. It's old and big but great optics had mine well over 10 years now.

Aye, I have a very good friend who deals a lot with ESAB & he say's the HD is fantastic. As a whole I'm not overly keen on ESAB but I do quite like that helmet.
I'm had an old Miller passive helmet sat on my desk for a while now which I quite like the look of.

Thoughts on passive helmets?

 

[Richard.]

They all do the job, I've always over spent on stuff I really like and particularly with my welding gear at home if I like a certain feature about something I tend not to think too much about the cost. Depreciation/resale value is something I try and look into as well as I often find something I want to update or renew with in my gear and it's nice to have something worth while to put against it and recover some of the expense back. I see a lot of my stuff as an investment. My old speedglas is donkeys old and I paid probably close to £300 for it new. It's more than paid for itself in use, I've kept it clean and un damaged. Even after all those years they still fetch £130-150 back. Which is half way there to a new one.

 

[Shox Dr]

Currently have an Optrel OSEvolution.
And while I'm not looking for a new helmet.
There's a few things that would make me change;

1. Headband that stays in tension where you want it
2. Proprietary fitting for cheater lenses
3. Built in light for confined/poor light conditions.

 

[premmington]

Only real bonus for choosing a Speedglas is:

You can get any spare you need.

 

[Richard.]

You might struggle shox. That list of things has been the down fall of most lids for as long as I can remember. Particularly point 1. I've never found one that stays tight enough to hold itself up yet lose enough to drop down with a flick.
They need fitting with bonnet catches.

 

[Richard.]

Only real bonus for choosing a Speedglas is:

You can get any spare you need.

I've always liked them. Head gear has always let them down though

 

[cocker]

You might struggle shox. That list of things has been the down fall of most lids for as long as I can remember. Particularly point 1. I've never found one that stays tight enough to hold itself up yet lose enough to drop down with a flick.
They need fitting with bonnet catches.

I went and got one today ,
It has a catch that holds it up , little nod and down it goes .

Edited to add its the Jackson one that chuck reviewed

 

[Richard.]

I went and got one today ,
It has a catch that holds it up , little nod and down it goes .

Edited to add its the Jackson one that chuck reviewed

You've got a wh70? I'm gonna have a trial with one tomorrow curtesy of a good friend. What they like. Shade, colour, comfortable? I'm keen to know your thoughts on this as I may go for it if it's like the w70 for head gear and clarity.

 

[ukracer]

You might struggle shox. That list of things has been the down fall of most lids for as long as I can remember. Particularly point 1. I've never found one that stays tight enough to hold itself up yet lose enough to drop down with a flick.
They need fitting with bonnet catches.

That is what I am looking for.......guess I am looking for a unicorn then.