Weldor’s opinion on this Jackson Hood

[Ohmthis]

My Auto Darkening hood has bit the dust. Soooo, I’m in need of one. I’m not up to miller elite or Lincoln Viking budget. How does this Jackson fit my needs? I figured $150 budget and will stretch that for the right one. This is for my home shop as I use a Miller big window elite at work. I don’t weld a ton 10-15 times a year in the home shop.

Amazon.com

 

[Hohn]

Following this for interest. My HF helmet is holding up OK, but it's not particularly comfortable or strong on visibility.

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm a fan of Jackson, they make pretty decent stuff.

I haven't personally used that helmet, but I have quite a few Jacksons in my collection and they're all fine helmets.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Ughhh.... Why won't manufacturers make a simple, black welding hood anymore? Who actually wants this nonsense?

Sorry, but that is some of the dumbest **** I can think of. Second only to these awful things




I LOVE my ESAB E60 and would try their E40 before going with one of those horrible graphic Jacksons. I would happily pay an extra $20 to not look like that

ESAB E40 on Amazon

 

[XJSuperman]

FWIW, I started a recommendations thread on the subject a couple weeks back. Jacksons were mentioned a few times at least.

Welding Helmet Recommendations (Auto Darkening)

Its time for me to replace my no-name auto-darkening helmet and I want to know what everyone likes, why, and ideally a link to it please. I searched and only came up with a couple mediocre threads on the subject, so let's try and get a decent thread going for welding helmet recommendations. We...

www.garagejournal.com

I've no experience with them, but the Hobart models are in that same price range as the one you linked, OP.

 

[tworley]

I picked up a viking 1740 for $120ish last year. They've gone up a little bit in price since then. But I have no complaints. Great clarity, lots of adjustability (shade, weld/grind mode, delay).

 

[dr_clyde]

Ughhh.... Why won't manufacturers make a simple, black welding hood anymore? Who actually wants this nonsense?

You must not have met many welders...

These are the same guys who drive the "tiny **** energy" lifted trucks with obscene bumper stickers and window graphics. Same dudes who wear Punisher tee shirts and roll coal on every stoplight so everyone knows they drive a diesel.

They make them because they sell... sadly.

I too just prefer a black welding helmet with maybe a sticker or two of my choosing.

 

[Ohmthis]

Ughhh.... Why won't manufacturers make a simple, black welding hood anymore? Who actually wants this nonsense?

Sorry, but that is some of the dumbest **** I can think of. Second only to these awful things




I LOVE my ESAB E60 and would try their E40 before going with one of those horrible graphic Jacksons. I would happily pay an extra $20 to not look like that

ESAB E40 on Amazon

While I don’t like some of the stupid ones (no offense to those that like them) they have Freedom one that’s acceptable. I’ll check out the Esab.

 

[Ohmthis]

FWIW, I started a recommendations thread on the subject a couple weeks back. Jacksons were mentioned a few times at least.

Welding Helmet Recommendations (Auto Darkening)

Its time for me to replace my no-name auto-darkening helmet and I want to know what everyone likes, why, and ideally a link to it please. I searched and only came up with a couple mediocre threads on the subject, so let's try and get a decent thread going for welding helmet recommendations. We...

www.garagejournal.com

I've no experience with them, but the Hobart models are in that same price range as the one you linked, OP.

Thanks! I guess since mine was specifically about the Jackson, it didn’t show up that there was another thread. I read it and appreciate the responses.

 

[hobie18]

I no longer weld.
But if my eyes depended on it, cost is not an issue. Comfort would play a role. Fit. Stability. Weight. Visibility. Performance. Is a thousand too much? Heck if I had the right helmet, I could do a lot of projects.

Last time I welded, the helmet kept rotating on me. I can tell you, that was not funny.

Oh, plus I **** at welding...

 

[Wamsutta]

The most important part of welding is your vision of the weld process. That will make or break you as a welder. If you're serious about welding, don't set a budget for the helmet.

 

[Ohmthis]

The most important part of welding is your vision of the weld process. That will make or break you as a welder. If you're serious about welding, don't set a budget for the helmet.

I agree with you, but at some point there is a balance point. I’m not a beginner welder, I have a lot of time with multiple processes. I weld very frequently at work and use a miller big window elite. I can’t justify the money for my home shop. I should have added this bit if info and will go back and edit that this hood is for my home shop. Thanks for the input.
My question is not a general one, but more specifically about the Jackson. I greatly appreciate any information that will help me find the right balance of clarity/quality and also fits in my budget.

 

[crewchief888]

I like my miller pro hobby
I have one in the garage and one in my service truck

Seems they were under$150 at the time

 

[Ohmthis]

I like my miller pro hobby
I have one in the garage and one in my service truck

Seems they were under$150 at the time

I’ll check them out, Thanks!

 

[Wamsutta]

I agree with you, but at some point there is a balance point. I’m not a beginner welder, I have a lot of time with multiple processes. I weld very frequently at work and use a miller big window elite. I can’t justify the money for my home shop. I should have added this bit if info and will go back and edit that this hood is for my home shop. Thanks for the input.
My question is not a general one, but more specifically about the Jackson. I greatly appreciate any information that will help me find the right balance of clarity/quality and also fits in my budget.

I don't see how you can go from the clarity of a Miller Elite to a budget hood.

Usually when people get used to a high level of clarity, anything less is repulsive.

 

[Ohmthis]

I don't see how you can go from the clarity of a Miller Elite to a budget hood.

Usually when people get used to a high level of clarity, anything less is repulsive.

I laughed at the comment, not a sarcastic laugh, but definitely humor. All of the tools I use in my career are pro level tools….And they should be. The tools that I have at home are a mixture of pro level and mid level. There are some budget tools in there as well. Are there times I wish that I had better tools for a particular job, absolutely! Then I go about life and forget about it. The Jackson hood may not be the best solution to my needs. That’s why I asked here if a person has used it, how was it?

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Ughhh.... Why won't manufacturers make a simple, black welding hood anymore? Who actually wants this nonsense?

Plenty do. What I have noticed is the USA marketed brands seem to have a lot of these 'questionable' graphics though.

Most of the decent welding manufacturers have primarily plain black welding hoods .

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

I've got a high end Jackson Halo X. . It was not cheap. It works but I've never been overly impressed with it. Headgear feels chintzy for a expensive unit and TBH the view of the weld pool is not the greatest.
I've used cheap AD'S that I like better actually. If it was me I doubt I'd go with the low end Jackson. Bound to be better choices out there.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

You must not have met many welders...

These are the same guys who drive the "tiny **** energy" lifted trucks with obscene bumper stickers and window graphics. Same dudes who wear Punisher tee shirts and roll coal on every stoplight so everyone knows they drive a diesel.

They make them because they sell... sadly.

I too just prefer a black welding helmet with maybe a sticker or two of my choosing.

Generalize much? If someone wants something silly on their helmet why would you care? Sounds like it's personal.

 

[Loga_3]

Helmets with a built in solar panel is a big no-no for me.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I’ll check them out, Thanks!

I've heard nothing really bad about Jackson helmets. I have a Miller and like it.

Have you checked out Cyberweld or Weldfabulous ? They have sub $150 Millers.

Welding Helmets, Hoods, Masks, Shields, & Other Headgear

Find your ideal welding headgear at Cyberweld. We offer helmets, hoods, masks, & more by leading brands like Miller, Lincoln, & ESAB for superior safety.

store.cyberweld.com

Best Welding Helmets for Protection and Comfort

Shop for welding helmets online at Weldfabulous.com

weldfabulous.com

Those two links should be sorted to Miller, you can resort to the other brands. I bought a few things from the latter and bought more from Cyberweld, including my Plasma cutter.

 

[whateg01]

We have some Jacksons at the local makerspace. I've used them. They work. I don't care for the controls. I prefer a knob to set the darkness. Iirc on the Jackson you have to cycle through them instead of just going up or down to the shade you want. I also don't care for the head gear. Couldn't really say why I don't like it, but I like the head gear on my Lincoln Viking better. I don't think it's just because it's more money.

 

[Ohmthis]

I've heard nothing really bad about Jackson helmets. I have a Miller and like it.

Have you checked out Cyberweld or Weldfabulous ? They have sub $150 Millers.

Welding Helmets, Hoods, Masks, Shields, & Other Headgear

Find your ideal welding headgear at Cyberweld. We offer helmets, hoods, masks, & more by leading brands like Miller, Lincoln, & ESAB for superior safety.

store.cyberweld.com

Best Welding Helmets for Protection and Comfort

Shop for welding helmets online at Weldfabulous.com

weldfabulous.com

Those two links should be sorted to Miller, you can resort to the other brands. I bought a few things from the latter and bought more from Cyberweld, including my Plasma cutter.

Eric, I really appreciate your feed back and the links! I have used cyberweld in the past, I’ll check them out!

 

[Ohmthis]

I've got a high end Jackson Halo X. . It was not cheap. It works but I've never been overly impressed with it. Headgear feels chintzy for a expensive unit and TBH the view of the weld pool is not the greatest.
I've used cheap AD'S that I like better actually. If it was me I doubt I'd go with the low end Jackson. Bound to be better choices out there.

This is exactly what I’m looking for. I appreciate your response, thanks for taking the time to. I guess the search continues.

 

[Ohmthis]

We have some Jacksons at the local makerspace. I've used them. They work. I don't care for the controls. I prefer a knob to set the darkness. Iirc on the Jackson you have to cycle through them instead of just going up or down to the shade you want. I also don't care for the head gear. Couldn't really say why I don't like it, but I like the head gear on my Lincoln Viking better. I don't think it's just because it's not money.

Great addition here, thanks for taking the time.

 

[Rockable]

I have a HLX 100 Jackson that I've had about 4 or 5 years now. It was a nice upgrade over the Hobart I had previously.

https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Safety-46131-Variable-Darkening/dp/B01HTMLSLQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[GaryM909]

As a retired career welder I preferred a Hyderok shield with a 2 x 4 lense. The shields would take a beating plus just flip the front for grinding without the BS. I would usually use an Arc 1 auto lense either a shade 9 or 10. Clear lenses are a lot cheaper as I would buy a box of 100 at a time. Get the ones made with CR39 as they don’t scratch as easy. If you’re pipelining or working on site where you are required to wear the combo hard hat and shield that’s a whole different ballgame.

 

[Wamsutta]

I laughed at the comment, not a sarcastic laugh, but definitely humor. All of the tools I use in my career are pro level tools….And they should be. The tools that I have at home are a mixture of pro level and mid level. There are some budget tools in there as well. Are there times I wish that I had better tools for a particular job, absolutely! Then I go about life and forget about it. The Jackson hood may not be the best solution to my needs. That’s why I asked here if a person has used it, how was it?

But this is not a tool we're talking about here; this is your vision we're talking about.

Would you buy a budget pair of eyeglasses that didn't quite have the correct prescription?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Really guys ? We're down to arguing about welding helmets ?

Thread cleaned up.

 

[mark-NJ]

I know the OP said he wasn't in the budget range for a Lincoln Viking, but I have to say: Best helmet I've ever owned is my 2450. The clarity is phenomenal. OP doesn't say what kind of welding he does, but if it's TIG, the puddle is crystal clear under this hood. And the headgear is extremely adjustable & comfortable.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I have the Miller Elite and the same (I think) Jackson. I like the Jackson more.

And thank you for using the correct term (weldor instead of welder)!