What model auto darkening helmet is a good value for the price under $100? Do you have one you really like?

 

I actually had good luck with the cheapo $20 hood that Northern Tool had.

I dont do hours of welding though. But the auto-darkening screen and
head strap worked fine.

 

I have two regular masks, maybe I should just buy an auto-darkening lens for one of them.

 

I use the HF hoods a lot. I like them for the price. I used a lincoln at work and it had amazing clarity.

 

I have the Northern Tool solar powered one, not the swankiest thing ever, but it works fine.

Sit it in the sun for 30 minutes before you use it the 1st time, and the weld arc will recharge it from then on.

 

Ditto. I got mine for about $30. Have bout 20 hours on it and no problems what so ever.

 

I just picked up a whoop *** "wide view" self darkening helmet from a storage auction for $3. Yes, thats $THREE.

 

I have a HF auto helmet and it works, but it is a bit too
sensitive - my work illumination has to be positioned at
just the right angle or the 60Hz flicker sets it off. No
adjustment for that.

 

Love my Miller Elite

 

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...1850_200311850
solar NT also. I love it. It has alot of ajustment for the lens sensitivity. My garage is kinda dark so I use a light sometimes and it will trigger the lens to darken if the light is too close. It drives me crazy! With this helmet, I can set the sensitivity, response time, etc... Not bad for $40 - i Bought it on sale last year.

 

I think SummitRacing sells a generic auto hood for cheap. It works really well.

 

Thanks guys!

 

I used the HF hood, and it let me get flashed along with my dad on 2 different hoods, while tig welding with inverter based machine. I dont think this hood is working great for tig. It has on outside great for mig and stick. That tells me it sucks for tig in a subtle way. They are going back today.

I went to northern yesterday and got my dad the $140 nothern tool helmet with big boy viewing area and 4 sensors. It is his fathers day gift, so we will see how that works.

 

Thats a HF hood btw.

 

lowes had a lincoln auto darkening one for about 50-60 ish?.. it was just plain black and it has the regular size lens. works just fine with me. although after using it for the past 2 years i think the auto darkening is starting to get slow.... lol maybe its just me

 

I have the same one. Works fantastic. The auto-darking is quick and the adjustability rocks.

 

Since your question has been answered, I can be an *** now.

">" means "more than".

"<" is what you meant.

 

I got a Miller Digital Elite. Both are great hoods. I am a tig welder and the Digital Elite has a great setting for low amp applications. It has a cut setting as well.

 

I have the Jackson Next Gen auto darkening hood. Its got 3 different shades it will go to, Clear for grinding, a shade 5 for plasma/ torch work, And all the way up to a 13 for Arc welding. But I think its a little out of the under $100 price range