Which Miller welding helmet? Maybe Matco?

[twincam00]

I just started a welding class at school and am looking to get a quality auto-darkening helmet. Right now I have a Miller Titanium 1600 but I really want a auto-dark one.

I'm looking at the Miller Digital Performance, Digital Elite, and maybe the Titanium 9400. Is it worth the extra $100 bucks to get one more sensor and a slightly bigger viewing area?

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/head_face/

I am also considering the Matco PWH1050. It looks to have a big viewing area and 4 sensors. My price on that helmet is a little over $210. Anyone have any experience with this model? heres the link:

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/PWH1050/AUTO-DARKENING-WELDING-HELMET/

I am NOT interested in a Harbor Freight helmet!

 

[ephotrod]

I suggest the Jackson nexgen helmet. Its a big window with four sensors. I have had it for many years now and only have had to replace batteries. It has held up well and been drop several times. The outside plastic lenses is cheap and readily available at all welding supply places and parts are easy to get. The nexgen also has a grind and torch mode which it nice. The only down side is that it turns off after an 30 minutes of non use. Last time I looked it was fairly price at about 200 dollars.
Josh

 

[plinker]

I like my (inexpensive) 100v Speedglas.

 

[ncfh]

That Matco looks to be a Jackson.

But IMO...

If you want a great welder buy a Miller.

If you want a great helmet buy a Speedglas.



And who the hell would want a clock inside their helmet? So you can count the minutes till the end of the day? OMG F that!

 

[gReves]

Do not overlook a Kobalt helment from Lowes. Look at the specs of it compared to a Miller. Dang near identical and the Kobalt is less than 100 bucks.
I've had mine for close to 5 years now and still works great. Use it almost everyday.

 

[bobcatdan]

For the light welding I normally do, my $30 hf works fine. Now if I welded everyday hours on end, I could see spending more.

 

[E.T.Privott]

boy howdy, I'm steal using a pipe liner from back when i worked in Calif. back in "86". damn, it's one thing to be told I'm old as dirt but to see what they're wanting for a first class, fancy ***-ed, painted, big faced, auto darkening helmet is just ......just ....... damn, do it come with it's own stickers from pipe jobs you kids never heard of ? can you even draw anything on it to poke fun at the new guy ? do you have to buy another one if it gets scraped up, scratched, hit by a grinder ? or do it just heal itself ? cause at that price it had better do something besides look Prudy on your head, damn ....!!!!!

 

[twincam00]

At work I have used the HF and cheapest Hobart auto-dark helmets, complete POS, batteries didnt last long. Hobart gave out halfway though welding and I was seeing spots for the rest of the day

The Speedglas looks nice

I'm looking to get something with 3 or 4 sensors

 

[t100]

But IMO...

If you want a great welder buy a Miller.

If you want a great helmet buy a Speedglas.

x2, yours truly has 2 Miller Elite helmet. if I were in the market for a new one, It will be Speedglas 9xxx

 

[crewchief888]

i have a miller prohobby.

'round $150 delivered from cyberweld

 

[nismomans13]

That Matco looks to be a Jackson.

But IMO...

If you want a great welder buy a Miller.

If you want a great helmet buy a Speedglas.



And who the hell would want a clock inside their helmet? So you can count the minutes till the end of the day? OMG F that!

Agreed, although i have a digital elite. And I can remember tons of times i wish i had a clock in my hood. I don't carry my phone or wear a watch in the plants i go to.

 

[treky67]

The miller pro hobby and pro elite use the same brand auto darkening mechanism as the hobart helmets sold at tsc. the higher end ones any ways. I've had mine for about 4 years and it goes on sale for less than 100$. On the other hand when i do large amount of continuous welding nothing beats my jackson non auto darkening helmet with a huge viewing window.

 

[padronanniversary]

speedglass !

 

[frankush]

I also like the speedglass line.

 

[dwp99]

Speedglas 15-3301-21

 

[Bar Ditch]

Miller digital elite took me through college. After welding a while I am getting ready to purchase Jackson Nex Gen. IMHO they have the best viewing lens availible and can be purchased anywhere.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

you said you want quality so that means you don't want a Miller. everybody buys Miller because they put pretty designs on them.

a speedglas is what you want. I have the 9100xx and i love it. I had the previous version which was also awesome but my old boss bought me the new version.

I would not buy a Miller welding helmet.

 

[kald]

Get the biggest viewing area you can. My primary helmet is Lincoln with a standard size viewing are and I didn't realize/forgotten how much it ***** donkey nuts until I wore an old spare non electric with about a whole face viewing area when the Lincoln had dead batteries.
Now I "NEED" a new helmet.

 

[Quick01GT]

Miller elite!

 

[signcrafter]

I have a miller performance series I bought about 5 years ago now. Has been good for the little bit of welding I do.

 

[thehazmatguy]

i have a miller prohobby.

'round $150 delivered from cyberweld

+1

I like my Miller Prohobby but I don't do a lot of welding. I have had a situation or two when all my sensors were obscured though...

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

You really can't beat the Speedglas 100v for an auto darkener.

 

[srmofo]

I was looking into a speedglas myself but just couldnt justify the price foe light duty home hobby use. Trust me I tried really hard, but with the cost of a tank,fill, consumables and everything else it was adding up quick.

I ended up with a lincoln viking series. 4 sensors, larger viewing area, great warranty, serviceable. All for $180

I looked at one of the titanium helmet because it was clearanced out. That damn thing was heavy....which is why they said they couldnt sell it

 

[twincam00]

Man those speedglas's are 'spensive

 

[twincam00]

Ended up getting the Miller Titanium 9400. The external grind button is fantastic. Cyberweld's prices were $90 below msrp

 

[jjjrmx5]

a speedglas is what you want. I have the 9100xx and i love it. I had the previous version which was also awesome but my old boss bought me the new version.

I would not buy a Miller welding helmet.

Speedglas x 2.
All we use in a shop of over 50 welders.

Buy cheap and you get retina burn.

I see too many welders that screw teh pooch and buy cheap.
Hey, It's only your eyes.

You can buy a new pair on ebay I hear.

LOLOL.

Please don't cheap out.

 

[BD1]

http://www.weldersupply.com/products.asp?id=32&cat=Safety+Equipment|Auto+Darkening+Welding+Helmets

Here's my local suppliers site. They got pretty good prices.
I prefer the Miller Elite. I would stick with, Miller, Lincoln, or Speedglass, for a auto darking.Big bucks, but worth it. If you never tried one , try it. It makes welding easier.