Speedglas 9002NC Weld Hood

[bdbecker]

In case anyone is interested, I was talking with our 3M rep at work today and learned that they updated the old 9000 series weld hoods with a new headgear and new lens system and are calling it the 9002NC. The rep said it was so they could compete in the lower budget end ($200-300) of the market.

Having used the same lens technology in the 9100xxi hood, I can tell you that you'd be hard pressed to find a better lens for that kind of money. I nearly bought a Lincoln Viking with the 4C lens technology a year or two ago (just as clear as the 3M lens), but couldn't get over the glare from light coming in from behind my head. That 4C lens is great, the hood just didn't float my boat.

I see that Cyber Weld is selling them for $200 right now, hopefully that price sticks around until payday...

http://store.cyberweld.com/speedglas-9002nc-welding-helmet-04-0100-20nc.html

 

[Wamsutta]

$200-$300 is considered the low budget end? What would be an example of a high budget welding hood?

 

[dnschmidt]

Optrel.

 

[KM223]

Optrel.

Outboard lens adjustment controls make Optrel a poor choice for out of position and overhead welding. Slag and weld spatter will destroy these controls. I've seen it happen. The controls can also be inadvertently bumped while using the hood. The optics on the other hand are quite good.

 

[matt_i]

I will say that the "side windows" you get on a 9100xx/i are really beneficial to seeing other things in the shop.

 

[wagon]

The viewing area on that Speedglas is much closer to a $100 helmet. $200 for it is way too high, imo. As was mentioned, $200-300 isn't low end of the market, it's mid-high end.

As you said, the Lincoln 4C is a much better buy. You can rivet something on to block the light from the back. I used one in the sun burning NR232 and didn't have any issues, with the sun both in front of and in back of me.

I wouldn't spend the money to upgrade my current helmet (Lincoln 2450 equivalent) to a 4C unless it broke, and I'd only buy a higher end Speedglas. In the $200 range, there are much better options.

What are you using now?

 

[bdbecker]

What would you recommend in the $200 range?

I don't think the Lincoln 4C is a better buy, I just think the lens is probably the closest competitor to the new Speedglas technology for the money. Different strokes for different folks, but I'd rather have the clearer view than a huge viewing window. The hood I'm currently using is an old Speedglas 9000. Nothing wrong with it, but I'd like to have a second hood I can leave at home.

 

[wagon]

The Jackson Truesight or Balder have similar color filtration - very clear.

You can get a 4C Lincoln for less than what you're looking at, as it's in the 2450, 1840 and 3350 models.

When I say better buy, I refer to viewing area for the money, as those two increase hand in hand. The view size on the model you mentioned is small relative to the price - which is why I say the Lincoln is a better buy. Both are clear, but one gives you significantly more viewing space. I think the Lincoln 3350 is about $220 online.

 

[bdbecker]

That makes sense... I'd really like to try out that Jackson Truesight at some point too.