Welding hood with headgear that doesn't ****

[haveissues]

Who makes a welding hood with decent headgear? I have a miller digital elite and the headgear is a disgrace. If you crank down the adjustment knobs to the point the headgear feels like it is about to break and then give it a little more and don't make any sudden movements you might get the hood to stay up for a few seconds. Last year I replaced the headgear with their new and improved setup and it is slightly better but still terrible. My stupid $35 HF hood has much better headgear FFS. So who makes a good hood with headgear that doesn't ****?

 

[liliysdad]

I managed to snag a 3M Speedglas at the pawn shop a few weeks ago…and the headgear is pretty amazing.

 

[bb29510]

my lincoln viking has a nice headgear, just get you a hardhat and mount the shield to it, Fibermetal has some nice hardhats

 

[ItsNemo]

I have zero issues with my miller digital infinity headgear...though the mask itself is heavy and the click for it to stay up is quite strong (takes two hands). But it's super comfy and doesn't take cranking down to get it to stay put.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm not a huge fan of the headgear in my Digital Elite (about 12yrs old) either. I had an Optrel that was a much better helmet altogether, but the internal battery **** the bed and it was a deal breaker for me buying another.

 

[haveissues]

I have zero issues with my miller digital infinity headgear...though the mask itself is heavy and the click for it to stay up is quite strong (takes two hands). But it's super comfy and doesn't take cranking down to get it to stay put.

Thanks, you just saved me a few hundred $. I think the infinity and elite use the same headgear so after I read your post I walked out to the barn to see if I was missing something and sure enough there is a strong detent that you have to push up much harder than you would think. It isn't obvious the detent is there but if you push hard enough the thing will stay up!

 

[PugetDude]

I have three autodarkening welding helmets.

1.Lincoln Viking 3350. Helmet is a bit heavy but the headgear is very comfortable. ~$350 Reminds me I need to replace the brow pad, noticed it was getting pretty frayed when we were welding the carport frame for another GJ member. Would probably buy another if something untoward happened to this one.
2. Hobart Inventor Helmet is a little lighter, but headgear is also very comfortable. Bought it at Tractor Supply when I forget to bring a helmet with me when we headed North for the summer. ~$110, good value for the money. Used it all summer with no issues.
3. Jackson Safety that came as a package deal with my Miller 211. Replaced with the Lincoln when I started having issues seeing what I was welding... It's lighter than the Lincoln and the headgear is a bit awkward, but I used it for years. Now my backup helmet.

4. I also have a fixed shade Lincoln helmet that came with my little 110V Lincoln Flux/Mig I bought 20+years a go at Lowes when I first moved to AZ. It hasn't been used in years. Now a backup to a backup. Headgear has been bulletproof on that one.

 

[rlitman]

I managed to snag a 3M Speedglas at the pawn shop a few weeks ago…and the headgear is pretty amazing.

I have two Hornell Speedglas 90xx helmets (pre 3M), and while the optics are superb, the headgear is lousy. My understanding is that the 91xx series was made to fix this issue.

 

[ItsNemo]

Thanks, you just saved me a few hundred $. I think the infinity and elite use the same headgear so after I read your post I walked out to the barn to see if I was missing something and sure enough there is a strong detent that you have to push up much harder than you would think. It isn't obvious the detent is there but if you push hard enough the thing will stay up!

Right on glad I could help...it's definitely a tough detent but there.

 

[jbfab]

I like the miller hoods and lenses, but can't stand the headgear. I had a Jackson Nexgen which I loved, and now a Jackson Balder which I like as well. Good headgear on both.

 

[Wamsutta]

The ESAB A60 has super comfortable headgear and an excellent view. What's the catch you say? You better have a strong neck.

 

[PoorUB]

I have a forty year old Snap On helmet with awesome head gear. Stays up with a light push, drop down with a light nod. Why don't they still make them like that?!

I bought a HF helmet and the headgear *****. Takes both hands to put it on and if I got it adjusted to stay up, I have to pull it back down. I swapped out the head gear with something someone recommended here and it is maginally better. I can put the helmet on with one hand, but it won't drop down with a nod.

 

[908Jim]

I've used a 3M speedglas for 15+ years. Excellent quality with comfortable headgear and pretty much every part is replaceable.

Edit: I checked and it is a 9100x

 

[Jswain]

I find my Lincoln 3350 viking hood to be very good, and comfy. The headgear works much better then the cheap auto darkening & Lincoln fixed shade that I have