Auto Darkening Hoods

I have an auto darkening hood from way back around 2002 or so, it works, but I feel it's outdated and I'd like a new one that doesn't' break the bank. I know HF is not the pinnacle of quality, but sometimes their stuff is surprisingly OK..

https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...safe-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-63749.html

Anyone got opinions on this one? Or others similarly priced that work well?

Bubba

 

I had a hf good for awhile. It was great until it wasn’t, and there’s only one way to find that out. Lincoln makes a killer auto darkening hood for just a bit more than the hf hood.
https://a.co/d/9CkAh3t
when I bought mine the camo was the cheapest by far. I’ve probably spent at least 6 hours just welding in the last week. This thing is money.

 

Wow! They've certainly gotten inexpensive. I think I paid over $300 for my auto darkening hood way back when.

 

I was just at the local welding supply yesterday. While waiting for them to swap my bottle I glanced at their hoods. The price swing was $120 for the house brand auto Darken to $600 for the fancy Lincoln.

 

Don’t cheap out when it comes to your vision.

I just bought another one of these the other day through work. Best bang for the buck from a very reputable brand.

https://store.cyberweld.com/product...m_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase

 

This. I've had the older version of this helmet for the better part of 15 years now with zero issues. They're easy (and cheap) for finding replacement cover lenses also since they use the standard 4.5x5.25" size that has been around forever. Jackson makes it easy to find replacement parts for the head gear too.

 

Im sure the hf hood will work out fine for a hobbyists like most of us on here. I got one of those cheap hf auto hood for my high school welding class and it lasted like 12 years before i got rid of it, and it was still working btw. Im sure the newer hf hoods are even better.

Now if you plan on doing a lot of welding i would invest in a better hood. I have a newer lincoln viking with the 4C lens and it is sooo much nicer than the budget hoods. The clarity and responsiveness are great and the head gear is really comfortable. It was almost 400 buck but well worth it to me even though im just a hobbyists welder

 

Thanks for the input fellas..

 

I went to the welding supply store and asked “what’s the best value in helmets?” I don’t remember the brand but I’ve been very happy with it for a few years.

 

Non auto here…
Far more dependable and no batteries.
I don’t buy hoods to look at the paint job or to collect them. But only when my old one totally breaks and is unrepairable.
I just got a great deal on a new flip front Huntsman 430 P.
And a cheap price on a top of the line electric ice Wens Lens for stainless tig.
Gold is sandwiched between the glass plates.
$80 Lens costs me more than the $65 hood.
Couldn’t afford the no longer made American Optical “ Weld Cool” lens.
Those are about $500 for the 4-1/4” x 2” lens.

 

Funny, that's exactl the one I have and I bought it at least 16 years ago? I think? I guess it's still kickin' so I'll stick with it for now..

 

Hard to put a price tag on protecting your eyes. Flash burn is no fun!!
I currently have a Jackson helmet. One of the best investments I've made for my welding set up.

 

Last time, I bought a new lincoln and threw a non-auto lens in my defective hood so I have a spare.

 

Used mine today to view the eclipse!

 

I bought a HF auto -darkening helmet 20+ years ago. After 5-6 years, it quit darkening. The battery died and was non-replacable. I bought an eBay replacement USA made auto-darkening lens insert assembly (that has replaceable batteries) and it has been flawless.
-Donny

 

Maybe I'm not looking close enough, but that looks suspiciously like the HF one in the initial post....

 

Imitation is the finest form of flattery?

 

Jackson is definitely not the same as a hf hood. Jackson is a very good manufacturer and their hoods and other gear are used a lot in industrial environments.

 

I have a Jackson, and it works very well. My Lincoln is prettier!

 

I purchased this one a couple of years ago, it has been great.

I believe it was $180 back then.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MP16RT2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1