Analog VS. Digital Welding Helmets

[56-210sedan]

I was wanting to know if there are any real advantages to the digital versus the analog with the auto darkening welding helmets. I see that the digital helmets have a electromagnetic capability:confused: is there any advantage to this over the analog? any other information that can be provided would be greatly appreciated:cool::tu:tu.

[Rick_L]

What's the difference between analog and digital? Never knew there was a choice. I would have thought that any adjustable one would have digital circuitry.

[tjsdelivery]

Made it sound like there was a tv in that screen!

[56-210sedan]

Hmmm Obviously i have asked my question in a incorrect fashion, i will do some more research.

[ajbarrell]

The digital helmets with electro-magnetic sensors are for very low amperage tig welding or welding in bright sunlight that might trick the arc sensors.
Although I don't do any low amp tig welding, I do have a Miller digital elite helmet and love it. It's very responsive and I use a magnifier lens for my old eyes.

see: www dot millerwelds dot com

[keith]

I have one of the Miller Performance Helmets Marty. it gets the job done for what I have to do with it. Local supplier had them on sale, came with extra cover lenses, helmet bag and adjuster cushion. Set it out in the sun and it will recharge the battery, as well as just welding with it, it will recharge.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/performance.php

[56-210sedan]

Thanks, Keith and ajbarrell

[Chevynut]

Marty, I suggest you just go pick up a cheap HF helmet for $50 or so. That's what I use, and they work great. I have gone through a few of them when the headband broke, but for $5 they will give you a 2-year warranty so you can just exchange it. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty rough on these things and I'd just as soon get a new one when I need to. I tried a more expensive Forney helmet, and these HF ones are better.

[keith]

No problem Marty.

[Corvette]

What you want to look for in a auto darkening helmet is at what rate does it darken? older styles and cheap styles made over sea's actually darken slower letting in more uv light when you strike an arc. This over time can cause damage to your eyes and in the short term after a lot of tacking and grinding they can be sore and tired. Also look for one that lets you grind with your grinder "sensitivity adjustment" way eaiser than changing lids.

[Chevynut]

The HF helmet switches in 1/20,000 of a second. My son and I have both welded with them for hours, and neither one of us has felt like the helmet didn't do it's job. It's adjustable from shade 9-13 and is solar powered...I've never had to replace batteries.

The Miller Elite also switches in 1/20,000 of a second...same as the HF helmet. It goes from shade 8-13. If you want a grinding mode, the HF helmet doesn't have it. I doubt I'd want that anyhow. A welding helmet isn't what I'd want to be wearing when I'm grinding a weld bead anyhow.

http://millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/elite.php

If I was a professional welder, I might spend the extra to get a high-end helmet, but for a hobbyist the HF helmet is every bit as good as more expensive helmets for a fraction of the cost. Some of their tools I won't use, but some are a great value.

[keith]

What helmet did you end up getting Marty ??.

[twolaneblacktop]

I am a tube welder by trade... and do alot of welding every week!!!! Purchased a 400 dollar speed lens only to resort back to the $30 Jackson fixed lens!!! You can see better out of the fixed lens and they'll take a beatin'!!! The speed lens is fine, but once you get used to the fixed lens you'll never go back!!! Besides, the lens in my auto hood are way to expensive!!!

[Corvette]

I agree i like the fixed lens my self it is easy to use and doesn't ever breakdown. As for grinding in a bisness of 185 welders i don't know one that doesn't do his/her grinding in there welding sheild.When i was a pressure welder doing pipe and vessel work for 12 years straight i tried many different helmets and for home use the electric helmets are great for tacking stuff in place buy your self, you can see what your doing. Being a safety guy now, i know they are still studying the effects of the time it takes for the lens to change color and if it causes eye damage.

[56-210sedan]

What helmet did you end up getting Marty ??.

Keith, i was at harbor freight yesterday and they have one that has 1/20,000 second switch and from what i have seen that is pretty average for helmets, so since i am a beginner and feel i would destroy a high end helmet pretty fast, i am going to buy the HF one on Friday.

I know i ask a lot of questions some times that may be a pain to respond to but i hate to go out and buy something only to find out if i would of taken my time and researched well, i could of saved myself and maybe others a big headache.

Back on HF it really ticks me off that neither store in my area will order in the .023 ER70S-6 wire in the 10lb rolls they have it in the 2lb rolls but that is not going to work for me, maybe if i lived in Spokane but even then i sense it would be a pain in the neck, it looks to me like there is not much wire in a 2lb roll.

[keith]

Looks like you made a good decision on the helmet and if you have problems they are right there it seems.

My old Jackson auto helmet had seen better days and wouldn't darken any more and the replacement insert cost more than a new helmet(Locally). It was a older helmet and had a very narrow field of view, it was like trying to peek thru a gunslot on a WW1 tank. one thing I would look at while you are at HF is the field of view thru that helmet you like.

There is quite a bit of .023 wire on a 2lb roll for the home hobbyist, but I can understand wanting the 10lb roll locally.

If your questions were a pain to repond to,,I wouldn't respond,,LOL! Questions are good, it sometimes saves you and me and everyone else money.

[Rick_L]

I wouldn't worry too much about those 2 lb rolls if you are doing automotive sheet metal. One roll will last for months for hobby work.

[ETriggs]

Marty, I suggest you just go pick up a cheap HF helmet for $50 or so. That's what I use, and they work great. I have gone through a few of them when the headband broke, but for $5 they will give you a 2-year warranty so you can just exchange it. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty rough on these things and I'd just as soon get a new one when I need to. I tried a more expensive Forney helmet, and these HF ones are better.

They are on sale now for $39.99 :D

[56-210sedan]

They are on sale now for $39.99 :D


Eldon, i had to wait a day i guess because the sale just took place at the local HF i shop. But since i waited a day or missed on Friday, my Super Chevy magazine came with a coupon for the 39.99 helmet:happy0030: they had to desecrate the SS magazine to clip the coupon:eek: but all is well. There price was 49.99 at HF and earlier in the week when i purchased wire it was 69.99:confused0006:

There are a few miller digital elite helmets on ebay that started at a good price but they are being bid up pretty quickly.