welding helmets?

where is a good place to buy one from? i have been looking at lincoln electrics and i think theirs are better than millers according to the specs. but i am not sure if there is better out there or what. where is a good place to go online to find a good helmet?

not too sure where to get one but i have had my miller for 3years now and still love it, it has been beaten up pretty good and it sure holds its own!

thanks for the info bro. right now this is the one i am looking at getting. if anyone else has any info it would be appreciated.



here is he link...

I have this exact one from miller and love it. I bought it about 3 years ago and it hasn't let me down yet.

hey ryan i have a miller helmet and i love it. had it for around 3 or 4 years now and have no complaints. what you want to really look at is whether you can change your shade and reaction time and things like that. i have a buddy that just spent 225 dollars on a speedglass and cant even change the shade of it. And ill be the first to tell you that being able to change your shade is very very nice. because sometimes you may be tig welding which is way brighter than say mig welding. you want to be able to take it apart with ease for cleaning and things like that. you want to see what the helmet is made out of. my miller is a rubbery type of plastic that isnt really that hard. it will take a beating and not break. what im saying is that its flexible. my miller hood has been thrown around for the past 3 years pretty much everday in an industrial welding environment not just the at home do it your selfer. so trust me it gets thrown around and abused. honestly i wouldnt have any other helmet than my miller. ive tried out a few others but always just seem to feel at home in my miller. hope this helps you out a bit. also another thing is whether you have to turn it on or off. doesnt seem like a big deal but once you burn your eyes a few times you come to realize the importance. my miller you just pick it up and weld. do not have to turn it on or off which is very nice. if you have a button you will at some point forget to hit the button and be staring in to the bright lights haha.




-justin

I would stay away from Lincoln & Miller helmets...

Both are great brands and no doubt have awesome products, but they are a little overpriced in my opinion. I work has a welder/fab for a local fabrication company and have been there for the past 4 years. I have used a boat load of welding helmets and I would have to say that Optrel Satellite helmets are the best...I love the grinding button, no need to take off your helmet! Woot!

They come in a variety of colors I use Cosmic Green:



Here is a bit from the manufacturer:

The Optrel Satellite is a more than a helmet, it is a command center for welders. No longer are you confined to a boxy welding helmet. The futuristic and sleek Satellite helmet has set a new standard by which all helmets will be measured. Take control of your productivity by only removing your helmet when you want to. In combination with Optrel's proven auto darkening filter (ADF) technology, the Satellite's easily accessible external controls not only eliminate the need for helmet removal, they make all other methods extinct. The multifunctional injection molded spherical cover lens not only reduces reflection, thus providing better visibility and optics, but its foam gasket ensures the protection of the ADF by sealing out harmful dust, spatter and moisture particles. The lens is molded thicker to resist heat warping during high amp welding.



Controls for helmet as shown schematically above.

1. press the oversize shade control button and the auto darkening filter is locked in to a shade 4. This eliminates filter flickering while grinding or brazing. Both are now possible without helmet removal. Depress control button again to reset ADF
2. Shade Range Selection: This sliding switch can be used to select shade ranges of 5 - 9 and 9 - 13. Choose your range and then adjust to the appropriate shade using the shade level control knob
3. Shade Level Control: Adjust this control knob to select the shade within settings of 5 - 9 or 9 - 13. Selections can be made according to the welding process, making this one of the most versatile helmets on the market
4. Sensitivity Control: Factory set at red dot for most procedures. Adjustable to meet different welding applications including micro plasma, plasma cutting, and low amperage TIG welding to name a few. Match the sensitivity level to suit your specific needs
5. Delay Switch: By using the sliding switch the time delay from dark to light can be adjusted to your individual requirements
6. Solar Cells: Optrel's proven solar technology ensures a continuous power supply while also eliminating the need for on / off switches and untimely / costly battery changes
7. Adjustable Sensor Bar: Eliminate the effects of ambient light. Simply slide the sensor bar up and the angle of detection will open from 60 degrees to 120, which optimizes performance during low current and over the head welding. Keep it down and reduce the chances of a near by arc darkening your lens.
8. Eye Protection: Several LCD's and special filters provide permanent shade 14 protection from dangerous UV and IR radiation, even in the unlikely event of total filter failure

Hope this helps your decision?

Although I do love my Miller, I have heard nothing but praises about the satellites, supposed to be an amazing helmet but up here in AB they were like double the cost of a miller when I was looking to purchase.

if you want something custom check this out.

i've got the flame miller helmet just like h20 melon and i've had it almost 3 years, using it damn near every day at work and sometimes home too. i've only changed the battery once. i like it,


a few guys i work with have the optrel sattelite like DEV posted. they like it. i like that one too. it seems a bit smaller and fits into tighter spaces than my miller does.
if your going to be using it a lot you might think about how much it weighs....

it seems my miller has all the things that the satellite does dev other than the adjustable sensor bar. i like the idea of that. im sure it would come in handy more than you think. like geoff says ive had my hood for a little over 3 years now and i just changed the 2 dollar battery the other day. most of the power is sourced through the solar panels. i think you ryan have plenty of great opinions here and from people that use there helmets to make a living and for fun. let us know what you decide or if you have any more questions just ask!!!






-justin