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Welding Helmet advice...

yeah that would be good, i am always have lift the hood to get my bifocals in the right spot. Will check that out.
 
I have 2 auto darkening. Miller and Lincoln, both under 5 years old. Both work. I still use the flip down. Because I am old and that is what I grew up using. I flip the auto darkening as well.
 
switching from flip down to auto darkening improved my welding 100%, I still have trouble keeping on the seem, but I have a cheap HF auto hood atm.
 
Still rocking my spedglass that's 15 years old. Still works awesome. Was 300 bucks then, current variation is about the same price.
I also have a gernaic autodark one I picked up from a welding supply place. Cost me 80 bucks, used it a couple times. Works pretty good.
 
I use optral crystsl. Its light, comfortable I can hardly feel it on my head. It has grind mode and is the clearest lid I've ever used. It also has AUTOPILOT - Detection of the arc brightness and fully automated shade level adjustment from 4 to 12. Adjusts automatically to the changing light conditions of the current welding process. It's the most expensivist but well worth it to me.

I still have my viking 3350 which is what I used to use.

Before that was a cheap $150 dollar one when I didn't want to spend the extra cash.
 
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So over the last 12-15 years I have been through several of the auto darkening hoods. I loved the lincoln I had.. It lasted 6-7 years and when it wouldn't hold a charge anymore I took it to the welding shop where I bought it and they said there was no way to fix it. I called lincoln and was told the same thing. I bought a cheapo and it lasted 2-3 years and it did basically the same thing. I am now on my 2nd cheapo and it's starting to give out too.

Now I see that some of them have replaceable batteries. To me that is a must have since it seems all mine have failed from not being able to replace the batteries. My next one will probably be another lincoln now that you can replace the batteries
 
If you can get to the battery it is replaceable, I am sure you would be able to source a new battery to solder in.
 
Lincoln Viking 3350

Previously used a HF and another helmet from northern tool. The difference between those cheaper helmets and the Lincoln Viking was HUGE. I can actually see the puddle....:rotfl:

The battery is replaceable btw.
 
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So over the last 12-15 years I have been through several of the auto darkening hoods. I loved the lincoln I had.. It lasted 6-7 years and when it wouldn't hold a charge anymore I took it to the welding shop where I bought it and they said there was no way to fix it. I called lincoln and was told the same thing. I bought a cheapo and it lasted 2-3 years and it did basically the same thing. I am now on my 2nd cheapo and it's starting to give out too.

Now I see that some of them have replaceable batteries. To me that is a must have since it seems all mine have failed from not being able to replace the batteries. My next one will probably be another lincoln now that you can replace the batteries

my old non digi miller elite has replacable batteries..... tho, i really would love something new and highend, been having trouble visuallly in recent yrs with it, even with cheaters and such.. think it's getting tired or something...
 
I have the ESAB sentinel. Its awesome. I can actually see the puddle, I should have bought it years ago. Welds look better because I can actually see whats going on. Super adjustable headgear so its real comfortable. Fits fine with glasses too. I bought it to use learning to TIG, glad I did. $300 and worth it.
 
Well my cheap hood finally failed completely today. So i went to tractor supply and bought the most expensive one they had. On sale for $99. It is a hobart inventor. So far i like it just as good as the lincoln i had many years ago... plus the viewing window is a lot bigger
 
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