Cheap Auto Darkening Helmet Review

[gregoryscottsr]

Hear the door slam--I am on my way to get one. I didn't even know the made a fifty dollar one.

[tsbrownie]

I'm just a home fixit welder. What do you mean by "flashes you"? I've got a $100 one and like you said, it makes for better welding.

[Nickoli8390]

@tsbrownie "flashing" is when you're welding and the auto darking kicks off or doesnt start when you start welding and you end up seeing to full light from the weld.

[upthecreek1966]

I picked up my chicago electric autodarkening at harborfrieght for 35 bucks on sale 9-13 and sensitivity adjustments i picked it up one day when i left my speedglas on the coffee table at home and didnt realize it till i was 100 miles away now i use it more than my speed glass

[thierryxxthierry]

i have a none auto dark helmet and i use it for tig and mig at school i like it cause it set perfect i can do what ever i want to do with it

i dont like auto darkening cause you stil have tunnel vision and a red or yellow clear my eyes arent that good so i dont like that i am not critizizing other's opinion this is my opinion

[tbndeereman75]

My pipeliner drifted down like that all the time. The only way it stops is when I have it cranked so tight that I have to use my hand to lower it. I agree, annoying as hell.

[Liberty4Ever]

Thanks for making this video.

50 BONES!

[SuperKinevil]

50 bones-i'm sold lol

[librarymark]

I just bought one of these helmets. A surprising number of features for such a cheap helmet. It's really light and comfortable too.

[imabucsfan]

I'm not a big fan of auto darkens, they are expensive and if the lenses break on the job, they are expensive to replace, you can get a spare shade 10 lens for about 5.00 and keep it with you on a job. You also have to buy batteries for the auto darken feature, so i dont recommend them, a good jackson with a flip front goes for about $40 and will do just fine, but its also a preference, I work with guys who love auto darkens but I dont like them, the choice is up to the person.

[abominationxlll]

Like all things, you get what you pay for. Just do a little research when you're not walking the isles of Harbor Freight and you'll be okay. He pretty much hits the mark with this vid. If you're a weekend welder, don't drop 300 bucks on a helmet.

If you weld for a living, then you already know.

[orange12v]

I got an all leather chinese hood helmet with auto darkening lens very cheap from e-bay for the realy tight access spots and no back lights reflecting in your eyes off the inside face of the lens and super light and total head protection from sparks

[hanzithaking]

ill get one if got 206 bones in my body so i could spare 50 of e'm :P

[carbinite]

My Harbor Freight helmet started to fall me after about two years. Started getting flashed. Decided my eyesight was worth more than $50.

Worked great when it was new but.......

[hurricanebmx]

I wish they had auto-darkening helmets in my school. All ours are old and falling apart.

[jj9739]

I work at an FAA repair station and use low amp tig to weld superalloy turbine blades,and sometimes I'm down to as low 9 amps.I have a Miller digital elite and I'll swear by it.Tough,totally dependable in all aspects.I had a Speedglas big window 9001xx I guess it was and broke the headgear the first TIME I used it!

[kawasakicrazy04]

@jj9739 ive got the same hood mate chech out my video

[CAJUNNSC]

Thanks,isn't often Youtube videos get it right to the point and in a time frame that is equal to the subject matter. You did great! Thanks, I have since opted for thew 50 bones, well done! Sincerely appreciated the leg up!

[jmh11962]

I've got one of the northern helmets. had it for three years. use the hell out of it. works great! make your job way easier.

[pantiesoup]

or u could get an auto tin lens and put it in any helmet

[Fantome1989]

Why does it have buttons inside of it? Are you suppose to press them with your tongue while you weld?

[welding89beads]

i need tips on finding a welding job

[Andy205ro]

Weld Mode ,Cutting Mode ,Grind Mode, X-Mode there is necessary all this mods ?! weld and cutting are not enough?!

I'm hobbyist ,not marriage ,no kids... I want to buy one in the future .....which are good ...but not fancy ones 

[Pacfanweb]

I have the Northern helmet, and it works fine.....the main complaint I have is the viewing area is really small. Other than that, it works exactly as the video describes.

[ChadA4MG]

I've been tempted to buy an auto-darkening helmet, I've been using a standard helmet for the last 11 years. Tried out a friends harbor freight hood and liked it, but I don't ever skimp on safety equipment "buy once cry once" comes to mind. $50 for a cheap hood or $100+ for well made hood.

[foxholewilly]

I've got this exact same Northern Helmet - been using it for the past 4 years. It was my first and only auto-darkener. For ten years prior, I used manual helmets. No question - using one is like night and day when starting your beads. Two months ago, the ratchet knob on the headband finally jammed. I still use it, though. I've never been flashed, it's light, and cheap. Overall, it's served me great.

[roylwchez]

what is a cheater lens? and were do i get one?

[UpcomingJedi]

soooo....what happened to the important part? I am referring to the actual operation of the thing when welding. How do they stack up there?

[joeluisramirez]

i paid 30 dollars for my harbor freight auto dark helmet about 3 yrs ago and still works dam good with no problems.

[cslan4]

I have a K & T auto helmet I got for $100 it's great but I can't find replacement lens for it .

[JeffInDFW]

I LOVE this guy! I wish he would review EVERYTHING. He tells it like it is. "That's annoying as hell.". Cracked me up, but he is RIGHT.

[rooftopeagle]

I don't know man, the idea of an "auto darkening" helmet just makes me nervous, all it takes is one good flash and you're done! Even as a new welder this just makes me nervous, also there must be a delay, over a 12 hour day welding I can imagine some serious eye strain!

I like the video of the chin operated helmet you posted on your website!

[chadt4]

@rooftopeagle I used to be apprehensive of auto-darkening helmets too, but when you actually use one. It darkens so fast you can't imagine. There's really nothing to worry about.

[Jacko49]

Thanks for sharing and your honest opinion,i like you a lot

[1598MeTal1598]

Harbor Freights are same basic technology...but cheaper. whats not to like

[raynesdanimal]

I have a 50 dollare auto dark helmet from h f and I have never been flashed, Ive had the helmet for 5 years now and the head gears is starting to wear out, it likes to creep down like the jackson now. lol

[Catherine8940]

Good video! and your right, But it makes sense now that this is exactly when I should get it.

[captainsuperfly]

Great vid.Thanks for sharing your honest opinions.Keep up the good work.

[jcr3rd]

I've weld tubes on a boiler with a welding lens in a cutting goggles. Put a rag over your nose and mouth. And then it was hard to get my head in place. The tubes that come off the heat exchanger. 1918 chrome-mody welding rod. That was before they had come out with those lens. I have one in my helmet now. Haven't welded since my automobile accident in 2000. I'm a araplegia now!!!

[saultman]

I have a Miller Elite Inferno I bought last year for $340.00 hardly used,and is in excellent condition. I am asking $175.00.

[Lookout4the3rdrail]

Thanks, getting back in to welding and l have a older shield.....ima get one something like the cheaper one ur showing. Nice vid. Keep posting

[MrStevilKneivel]

42 bucks on sale at Northern Tool. I ordered one and I can say that I love this helmet. I have several other helmets and for the price you cannot beat it. It is really light and it works great. I do hate the flames but they come off really easy.

There is a metal holder for anyone needing magnification. The reaction time for the helmet is as quick as you will ever need. In several hours of using it has not allowed me to get flashed yet. The plastic is light so sparks may melt. Overall I like it

[posiden125]

I still use my old Jackson but I have had a notion to look at a auto helmet

[shawbros]

Harbor Freight occasionally has them on sale (or after coupon?) for $35

[gorelord187]

the harbor freight helment is awsome works greati think it works better than my licon 3000 series funny a 42$ helmet is better than a 334$ helmet.

[jillianedw]

"That's annoying as hell..." lol

[LorraineHatrix]

You need a Safe-Mate attached to your helmets, the best thing since sliced bread.

[harleyghost]

I have welded for many years, I also agree with your findings, At work I use a "Speedglas" brand which has a nice price tag. At home on my welders I use the cheaper helmit which you show. I prefer it, or I will use an old school type. I did like your idea about the cheater lens inside. The older we get the harder it is to see.

[weldingtipsandtricks]

that is a drawback to this auto dark helmet...low amp and and also just a smooth tig inverter arc. It works fine with a syncrowave but when I try using a dyansty inverter, it flashes me sometimes. I set the pulser to 40pps and no problem.

I use mine for a spare helmet and leave it at my friends machine shop for mostly mig welding....hasnt failed me yet after about 2 years..best 50 bones i ever spent

[Juiceboxx03]

@weldingtipsandtricks I'm in a high school welding class and I just dropped 50 bucks on an auto darkening helmet. It says in the manual you can't tig with it, which kinda pissed me off because we're doing tig pretty soon. I'm pretty sure my teacher has a miller syncrowave so that will be fine?

[mrsicivicdude]

@Juiceboxx03 They're not RATED for Tig.  I used a "cheapy" helmet for my occasional tig welding and it does well most of the time. I'm looking into a better helmet currently because of ergonomic concers but not because the $50 helmet doesn't work.

[Juiceboxx03]

@mrsicivicdude Thanks, since then i've tried it and it works perfectly fine. I'm getting pretty decent at TIG now

[sickdeathshappen]

I picked up a Welding helmet from Harbor freight. It flicked on and off during low amp tig. Im going to pick up a Miller helmet, supposed to help with low amp tig welding.

[criticallistenphile]

That is one of the best reviews I've seen - simply from a review process and delivery standpoint. Thank you for that! Refreshing.

[weldingtipsandtricks]

thats a loaded question. I really like speedglas but there are others like the jackson nexgen that are great and use standard lenses. I feel screwed over when i have to buy custom clear lenses.

[Maddpadd]

@weldingtipsandtricks "I feel screwed over when i have to buy custom clear lenses"

Here's a little tip for making custom shaped clear lenses last longer (speedglas)

when they get dirty rub/buff a little bit toothpaste over the lense using a clean rag then spray some cheap household furniture polish over the lense then buff/wipe & the lense will be as good as new again.

This even works if you are working on heavier jobs with MIG & the lense gets dirty quick.

[welder8261]

@weldingtipsandtricks

Auto darkening Helmets are bad for your eyes.Especially a Cheapo.

[detroitbluesguy]

@weldingtipsandtricks

Thanks for taking the time.

[scottstrike10]

if money is no object who makes the best auto welding helmets.

[mondi26mig]

i got mine past 3 weeks ago, Tecmen-III ADF700S solar-powered auto-darkening welding helmet, got it for 60 bones! it's good as the Northern.. "i recommend to all to get one. you'll work more efficiently with this, and no more nooding neck ache crap!..thanks also for this video!

[bcgoldminer]

the cheap auto shades are good for clean and horizontal and vertical.

But for overhead stick, their unrefined lens framing traps slag and sparks. Eventually the cover lens doesnt seal properly and sparks work their way into the insert. Time for another 50.

grinding and cutting without changing headgear is a big plus when multitasking.

[rjewelll]

go with a pro hobby best hood you could get i love it had for about 2 years now

[stagesixx]

I got the Miller Elite when I got this big job. I paid $300 and never looked back. It's a small price to pay for my one set of eyes. Pay less and pay more in the end I say. The Miller is lightweight, perfect no bugs, parts available at any welding shop. Haven't needed any. I'm done buying low end stuff, unless it's toilet paper, garbage bags, or cat litter.

[red98mustang]

I have a northern tools helmet like the one you have in the video. You mentioned this helmet comes with bent wire tangs to hold cheater lens. Mine did not come with any. I looked on their website, could not find any cheater lens or bent wire tangs. Where can I find the lens & tangs?

[Benfiquista408]

I have a speedglas 9002x with side windows. and i would recommend it to anyone. The filter is very reliable, its super light, and the side windows i think make it the safest hood on the market. I can see just about everything to my sides whether its something catching on fire or something that could knock my head off in the field. So if ur thinking on throwing some money at a hood i'd say get a speedglas.

[welderman27]

I agree with "danthemovieman19" I own a Jackson Nexgen and for the money it isn't all that great the shield is heavy heavy and after many long hours of welding you're neck will really start hurting and like this guy said, the knobs wear out and it doesn't stay up. I now use a Lincoln super visibility lense and Fibre metal flip up shield. I can agree yes sometimes auto darks are good you see what you're doing before you strike the arc. I need reliability and light weight so I go with the cheap

[Bigr1993]

Im 17 yrs old and i plan on making welding my career and i was wondering if i should use a auto darking welding helmet or should i stick to the old fashion way send me a msg with answer please thanx

[danthemovieman19]

i personally dont like auto hoods they piss me off go with the flip down hoods

[shivajesus]

@Bigr1993 go auto! lots of talk about flash etc I use a Jackson Huntsman my LWS had it for $39.95 fixed 10 light as a feather too thin for overhead SMAW, but it IS ANSI rated Folks if your filter is ANSI rated it MUST provide 100% protection from UVA UVB EVEN IF IT DON'T COME ON research it that means if you get flash it's annoying not permanent I have used mine upside down etc NEVER been flashed keep a fixed helmet for backup if you drop it though! If you go pro then pop for a speedglass w/ air

[FordDZLMan9191]

I've used the Northern Tools auto darkening helmet at one place I worked and I didn't like it. I haven't used any others but I did not like the Northern, even on the darkest setting I still occasionally got flashed. I liked the Jackson helmets I used in school. They weren't auto darkening and you were aalways filpping them up and down but I got used to it and those are wht I like. I have something similar but the viewing area isn't as big. Oh well, it works.

[331lilcoupe]

nice i got mine for $36.99 + tax a harbor freight on sale those helmets REALLY work!!! for under 50 buck!

[kendoka666]

lol i paid 50 bucks (australian) for a speedglass. cheapest and best helmet ive ever had 5 yrs now not a problem at all

[mornin151]

dude i agree with you 100% it is annoing as hell when the hemet drops by it self... it hate it... its like one of my biggestpet pevs

[pauliscool2991]

u paid 300 for a jackson?!?!??! what??

[RotaryNoob]

Ive got myself an Optrel Satellite...I am a hobbyist welder, but I have worked in a fabrication shop as a welder/fitter.

I spent 300 bucks on it yeah, but you only get one set of eyes, and it fits inside roll cages really nicely because of its tight profile.

IMO if youre going to weld, even as a hobbyist spend the money on a quality helmet you wont regret it.

What I wish he had mentioned was helmet weight...wear a 3lb helmet all day and youll see what I mean.

[scottstrike10]

oh no i bought one of these helmets about 4 yrs ago,it was great for a while but now the batteries are dieing and it doesnt last a full day without giving up...its a lovely helmet to wear tho and i would buy one again cos before anyone heard of auto darking helmets optrel were making them and even miller use optrel lens in there helmets ..........

[TheDieselDr]

I love the grinding mode!!!!!

[lunk71]

I'm a rookie welder and just purchased my first " auto " .. hes right your skills will improve immediately! .. i got the Hobart XVS 9-12 Auto Dark . payed 130$ u.s. , and its worth every damn penny!!!

[jlukehart]

I put some loctite blue on my headgear knobs and they have not loosened up ever again.

[lowlandseuro]

I think you shouldn't compare lemons with apples here. The cheap helmets are often helmets that can ONLY be used for stick welding and should NOT, I repeat NOT be used for MIG or TIG welding.

There is a difference in the frequency of the arc and don't let any (cheap helmet-) manufacturor try to tell you otherwise!

[tupacash]

so very true

[Turbobygarrett]

speedglass9002x is the best helmet on the market ive got one very expensive but.

[scottstrike10]

how much was it.i use the optrel helmet...

[csking666]

I have my jacson nex gen and I love it. I wanted the quickest auto helmet I could find and afford. For 2 bills I am very happy with it and love the fact it has solar cells to charge the batteries was also a determining factor.

[erklaerbaer01]

Hi I got the Jackson 2400 Predator And my Helmet can snap in place so that it wont come down by itself as you work try it on your helmet, but don't yank it :)

i wish you luck nice weldin btw.

greetings from Germany!

[farmboy30117]

I love my cheapo auto-darkening helmet from Harbor Freight. Great video!

[6013welder]

@farmboy30117 i want to buy 1 flipping makes your neck hurt

[Goldwing777777]

What do you think of the Accu-Strike Welding Helmet ?

Thanks

[squaddy11]

Newbe welder here...

Thanks for this video, I really want to get an auto dark helmet but was cautious of the cheaper ones and couldn't afford the expensive ones..."50 bones" sounds good

[freddytk421]

You should warn people about the Miller Big window elite. I bought one and in the instruction manual it says not for overhead welding the bottom lip on it collects spatter and melts all to hell. The batteries are constantly running out and they cost a lot of money. and its hard to change them when you are working and I really I think they should put that no overhead welding thing on the front of the box so people like me that have to weld on their back won't get tricked. shame on you Miller.

[alphadog1x]

Wow, I've got a Miller elite (big window) and weld overhead all the time. I've got a leather flap that I velcro on to protect my neck when welding overhead. No problems with it. Batteries last me a year each, and I work 9hrs/day. Mine are easy to change too. I think you must have got a Miller ripoff/fake.

[freddytk421]

no its a real one and it even says it in the instruction manual read it yourself "Not for overhead welding" . I will post a video.

[mycoid]

I bought one of those(miller big window) for my school and the batteries ran out 3 times in one semester at 16.00 a pop. and it does say not for overhead welding in the book that comes with it I didn't know that until just now. read it.

[scottstrike10]

@freddytk421 whish i had read your comment sooner,ive bought a miller elite ua series 1,out of the box the battries were dead so i had to get new ones.next was the head band is very weak and cheaply made,KOREA.the helmet doesnt really stay up when your not welding and tends to fall down.ive owned an optrel evo before this and it was so well over made but one flaw was the battery could not be replaced.i should have bought another optrel all parts made in switzerland.

[emotion7emotion]

Nice Helmet

Great vid

thank you

[garafrax]

Great Vid Thanks!

[progamr10290]

i got mine for 40.00 its the best helmet i ever owned its made by chicago electric welding systems i got it form horbor freight

[IamZiing]

I'm fairly new to welding, I joined metal trades as a votech class this year as my sophmore year. And we use auto-darkening helmets of some off brand type.

[butkatrello]

Well > I have a Harbor Fright one. It worked good for over a year. I got wet a few times, forgot left it out, so dryed it out still worked, but now not working, so took it apart, because warrenty was up. Tried to get charge on batteries(zip), called'em they wanted like $70 for replacemaent. I was wondering if I could put other batteries in it's place, to make it work? Good video..

[artgoat]

I have a Jackson NexGen, and it died on me after about three years. Jackson doesn't offer repairs, and their exchange price sucks, so WHEN it dies, you're out at least $250.  I pried the screen open, and the circuit board got really corroded from breath condensation. Bad Design! I loved it, but I also hate the sinking down ("annoying as hell" is right!) I'm back to a flip-down since the Jackson died, so I'm really considering this $53 helmet.

[JAG9100]

I have one, Its NOT the same EXACT one (about 60 dollars) and i have been using mine 2-3 hours a day, For 3 months(Mon-Fri) and i LOVE the thing. awesome buy!!!

[jobbly1234]

yer exactly wat i thought at work we had a really crap helmet so i brought myself 1 for 250 pounds n i hated it i cleaned it up lik new took it bak got my money bak n brought 1 identical to the black 1 in the video for 70 pounds i absolute love it plus it looks rele smart

[RHEAD100]

AGAIN; Video well done. Very informative.

5 stars All the way.

[ryanwolver123]

How does the Auto-Darking" work exactly? I'm just starting out welding and I want a better helmet.

[minitsrule]

it has sensors like he talked about when the sensor senses a very bright light they darken the lens immediately and when the bright light is ended then it lightens. this is oppesed to your standard helmet that is dark all the time

[drewohizzle]

good video! and your right, when the hood drifts down that pisses me off bad

[coilgunner2]

Yeah that sucks...

[HahnsB2]

Used an expensive Miller helmet at school and the Harbor freight helmet I own works just as well.

[fritzkat]

the harbour freight unit is perfect for the home hobby guy.I was runnin a jackson nexgen and I agree the electronics are great but what I do not like about the jackson are its weight and the lense retainer had to have been made by revell.the paddle lense is funny.I've since found the speedglas SL and wow

[41point2]

BEGINNERS LIKE ME!!!! Listen to this guy he is so helpful. I have had great luck with Northern dust filters Never Knew they made this mask and in retrospect. He's right. As a beginner I didn't think I should start with an expensive auto mask. But it makes sense now that this is exactly when I should get it. And I can get one that's not crazy expensive and still works great. Cheers.

[AmericanFabricator]

I took a pair of snipers and trimmed the "excess" shielding until is was small and light.