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raticus wrote:
Oscar wrote:It's a blessing in disguise. Now you can get the Optrel e684. Best helmet for TIG, IMO.
yeah I was about to start a new thread, about what your favorite welding helmets were... since it looks like I'm unintentionally buying a new one (looks like the new work boots are gonna have to wait)...

What's the deal with the Optrel? just reading some specs on it now... has some auto-pilot adjustment function deal... not sure if I would ever need that.
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Farmwelding
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cj737 wrote:Miller Digital Infinity gets my vote. Super comfy, lighter than their other models, and great visibility. I use the "Auto Sense" mode and the Auto On/Off. I never get flashed, and don't have to fumble with turning it off.
What's auto sense? I have an infinity and don't know about this. Or maybe i do and just don't recognize
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Farmwelding wrote:
cj737 wrote:Miller Digital Infinity gets my vote. Super comfy, lighter than their other models, and great visibility. I use the "Auto Sense" mode and the Auto On/Off. I never get flashed, and don't have to fumble with turning it off.
What's auto sense? I have an infinity and don't know about this. Or maybe i do and just don't recognize
Look at the intensity adjustment buttons: see the "Less" button? Press and hold it while under Weld and then the display will countdown then establish your Shade and Sensitivity settings based upon the ambient light. You adjust Delay to your preference. Transfers those settings to X-Mode too.

I like a longer delay with TIG personally.
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keep those helmet suggestions coming! was up too late last night online window shopping...

I liked my Speedglas but had two issues with it, the main problem was an issue all auto-darkening helmets have at my shop (which is why everyone in my shop uses old school helmets with their auto-darkening helmets hanging on a wall)... The placement of the overhead florescent lights (from behind where you're welding usually), sets my helmet to go dark before I'm even welding, making the auto-darkening function useless... I wonder what helmets are less sensitive to that issue? The other thing I didn't like about my Speedglas was the internal head strap setup, it's way too complicated, seemed overkill... and it did finally break this past week.. Not a big issue but I noticed it from day one, it was like reinventing the wheel for no reason. The one thing I really liked about my Speedglas, was the shape... it's easier to get in and out of tight spaces, but still was not as slim as I wanted. That seems an issue with all helmets, if you're welding something that's below you as you're standing up, you can't point your head too far downward as your helmet hits your chest... I guess i could just trim my helmet down, knocking off a few inches... Helmets seem to all be a bit too big, they only need to cover your exposed skin to protect from sunburn, er, weldburn... I never have an issue with heat other than my hands that always seem to be on fire (ask me how many gloves I go through). Maybe my next project is going to build my own helmet from a mold and just buy an auto-darkening lens assembly and attach it to it... It needs to shape much closer to our actual head and neck shape... (Would probably look really creepy that way ha)...
can't believe it took me this many years to buy a diamond wheel for my bench grinder... what a difference
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I have a digital infinity and leave it in x-mode all the time so no need to worry about the lights in the shop. I know most brands have something similar now as well. Still reccomend the infinity though if you like a ton of viewing area.
A student now but really want to weld everyday. Want to learn everything about everything. Want to become a knower of all and master of none.
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raticus wrote:keep those helmet suggestions coming! was up too late last night online window shopping...

I liked my Speedglas but had two issues with it, the main problem was an issue all auto-darkening helmets have at my shop (which is why everyone in my shop uses old school helmets with their auto-darkening helmets hanging on a wall)... The placement of the overhead florescent lights (from behind where you're welding usually), sets my helmet to go dark before I'm even welding, making the auto-darkening function useless... I wonder what helmets are less sensitive to that issue?
Most quality AD helmets have an adjustable sensitivity setting that should work, and like Farm said the X mode of the Miller eliminates this as well, I believe other hood manufactures have their own "X mode" solution as well

I have the Digital Infinity, it replaced an 8 year old Digital Elite so that was a big step up. I would like to try the Speedglas and Lincolns top rated hood as well. Maybe someone should start a try before you buy program... :lol:
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never seen this helmet before but it has to be the coolest looking helmet...

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http://www.esabna.com/us/en/products/in ... 2526&tab=1
can't believe it took me this many years to buy a diamond wheel for my bench grinder... what a difference
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LtBadd wrote:
raticus wrote:keep those helmet suggestions coming! was up too late last night online window shopping...

I liked my Speedglas but had two issues with it, the main problem was an issue all auto-darkening helmets have at my shop (which is why everyone in my shop uses old school helmets with their auto-darkening helmets hanging on a wall)... The placement of the overhead florescent lights (from behind where you're welding usually), sets my helmet to go dark before I'm even welding, making the auto-darkening function useless... I wonder what helmets are less sensitive to that issue?
Most quality AD helmets have an adjustable sensitivity setting that should work, and like Farm said the X mode of the Miller eliminates this as well, I believe other hood manufactures have their own "X mode" solution as well

I have the Digital Infinity, it replaced an 8 year old Digital Elite so that was a big step up. I would like to try the Speedglas and Lincolns top rated hood as well. Maybe someone should start a try before you buy program... :lol:
yeah I've tried playing with my settings but none ever worked that great for my situation... maybe cause it changes as I move around to different positions in my shop... I can use it in a different room in the shop, but not in the main room where I usually work
can't believe it took me this many years to buy a diamond wheel for my bench grinder... what a difference
Farmwelding
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raticus wrote:never seen this helmet before but it has to be the coolest looking helmet...

Image

http://www.esabna.com/us/en/products/in ... 2526&tab=1
I want to try one really bad. I've seen a lot about them. Seems like they are pretty popular and well liked.
A student now but really want to weld everyday. Want to learn everything about everything. Want to become a knower of all and master of none.
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LtBadd wrote:Most quality AD helmets have an adjustable sensitivity setting that should work, and like Farm said the X mode of the Miller eliminates this as well, I believe other hood manufactures have their own "X mode" solution as well

I have the Digital Infinity, it replaced an 8 year old Digital Elite so that was a big step up. I would like to try the Speedglas and Lincolns top rated hood as well. Maybe someone should start a try before you buy program... :lol:
Was looking at the Digital Infinity, the Lincoln Viking 3350, and comparing them to various others like my Speedglas 9100... but I only see the Digital Infinity with that X Mode function.... they all have sensitivity controls, but I'm guessing that X Mode is a different animal altogether... I would love to have my auto-darkening function working all the time, I probably broke my headgear strap cause I've been using the helmet like a non-auto helmet, flipping it down physically constantly
can't believe it took me this many years to buy a diamond wheel for my bench grinder... what a difference
Farmwelding
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I got to use a Viking and it was still pretty good but I had the same problem you did with the light because I was borrowing a hood in a factory doing a job shadow. I also still love the large viewing area of the infinity. Never have gotten to use a speed glass but would like to. One thing you could do is see if somebody has one you are looking at buying and try it out at lunch break or see if your local welding supply store has an area to test helmets and equipment. My local stores don't but I know some do.
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I have a Miller digital elite, Infinity and a 3M 9100 FX ADFLO with the 9100xxi lens. Love the 3M for comfort by far. I have been flashed a few times but it was my mistake. The miller X-Mode is rock solid and switching the lens every time you start an arc. The problem with the Infinity i find is the lens is too big. I get tones of glare on the inside lens because of the over head lights in my shop. The 3M has a skirt around it because of the powered breathing so the glare is eliminated. I also really like the flip up front part with a inner clear lens so you dont have to flip the whole helmet to get a good look at what you are doing.

On a side note, if you ever thought about going with a PAPR, get one!! cost is up there but worth it.

EDIT* I should also add that the clearly of the the 3m is the best out of the three that I use.
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Skylineauto wrote:I have a Miller digital elite, Infinity and a 3M 9100 FX ADFLO with the 9100xxi lens. Love the 3M for comfort by far. I have been flashed a few times but it was my mistake. The miller X-Mode is rock solid and switching the lens every time you start an arc. The problem with the Infinity i find is the lens is too big. I get tones of glare on the inside lens because of the over head lights in my shop. The 3M has a skirt around it because of the powered breathing so the glare is eliminated. I also really like the flip up front part with a inner clear lens so you dont have to flip the whole helmet to get a good look at what you are doing.

On a side note, if you ever thought about going with a PAPR, get one!! cost is up there but worth it.

EDIT* I should also add that the clearly of the the 3m is the best out of the three that I use.
I rarely have an issue with breathing so that's not something I'll be wanting (though lately zinc countertops seem to be a trend)...

I'm focusing on the Infinity so far, simply because of the X Mode and the big viewing (thanks for the glare info)... I'm just hoping the X Mode keeps the lens from going dark when I don't want it to, that's my big problem with my Speedglas, which i guess is the same problem with the Viking... so far the only one i've seen that has the X-Mode are the Miller's
can't believe it took me this many years to buy a diamond wheel for my bench grinder... what a difference
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To be honest The infinity sounds great on paper but in the end, out of my three helmets its the one I have used the least. The larger lens area really does not apply because the extra viewing are is out of my field of vision. It was a let down for me. Even getting the head gear comfortable took me several attempts to get right.
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I leave my Infinity in X mode because I tend to have either direct or indirect sunlight in the shop, plus overhead LED worklights, and when I use it outside, the X mode is the deal. The extra sensors and the ability to deal with the ambient light really has impressed me. Haven't tried all the other helmets so I can only give you feedback on what I've used.
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The digital elite also has an x mode. I've had two and love em, although my next one will be an infinity


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And don't feel bad about the dumb ass move, my co worker left his digital elite on a header of the combine we were working on and engaged the machine. Turned his 300 dollars into 300 pieces


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Sickboyboone wrote:And don't feel bad about the dumb ass move, my co worker left his digital elite on a header of the combine we were working on and engaged the machine. Turned his 300 dollars into 300 pieces


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Dats funny right there! Of course my farm brain wants to know what model combine and what kind of header/how big and what were you doing on it?
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Sickboyboone wrote:And don't feel bad about the dumb ass move, my co worker left his digital elite on a header of the combine we were working on and engaged the machine. Turned his 300 dollars into 300 pieces
haha... oh man wish you had a pic of that, then I wouldn't feel quite as dumb
can't believe it took me this many years to buy a diamond wheel for my bench grinder... what a difference
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I'm not happy with the Miller Digital Elite headgear. It doesn't stay up because its heavy and the stay up mechanism wears out quickly. I'm on Headgear #3 and don't use it everyday. I'd like to hear more about the Optrel and Sentinel. I tried on a Miller T-94 and it was lighter so maybe it wouldn't wear out the stay up plastic catch as easy.
Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
Sickboyboone
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Tbaugh wrote:I'm not happy with the Miller Digital Elite headgear. It doesn't stay up because its heavy and the stay up mechanism wears out quickly. I'm on Headgear #3 and don't use it everyday. I'd like to hear more about the Optrel and Sentinel. I tried on a Miller T-94 and it was lighter so maybe it wouldn't wear out the stay up plastic catch as easy.

I feel your pain brother. I'm on my second DE. First one had the original headgear and I loved it. My second, has the fancy ass new one and I'm not impressed. My supplier says you can still order the old ones so I might do that. I only got rid of my first one cu zig wanted one with graphics.


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Sickboyboone
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Farmwelding wrote:
Sickboyboone wrote:And don't feel bad about the dumb ass move, my co worker left his digital elite on a header of the combine we were working on and engaged the machine. Turned his 300 dollars into 300 pieces


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Dats funny right there! Of course my farm brain wants to know what model combine and what kind of header/how big and what were you doing on it?


I believe it was our 9760 sts. 630 header. We also have a t670, a 9770, a 9610 and a few 9600s. We go through them every year before harvest.


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Sickboyboone
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Farmwelding wrote:
Sickboyboone wrote:And don't feel bad about the dumb ass move, my co worker left his digital elite on a header of the combine we were working on and engaged the machine. Turned his 300 dollars into 300 pieces


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Dats funny right there! Of course my farm brain wants to know what model combine and what kind of header/how big and what were you doing on it?


I believe it was our 9760 sts. 630 header. We also have a t670, a 9770, a 9610 and a few 9600s. We go through them every year before harvest.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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