i weld for a living so i got a real nice one... I have a Speedglas 9100x, it has side lenses so you see everything while your welding instead of just a small square, it also has an amazing head gear set up the works real good considering i just turn my cap backward while i weld, most helmets cut into your head if you do that, also all settings are push button instead of knobs, it also has a mode to not strain your eyes from the bright lights so it slowly gets lighter while welding... i paid $340 for it through work........ but if i were you id just go buy a cheapo auto darkening hobart since you probly wont be doing it for a living like me... i use a cheapo hobart one for my derby stuff and its fine but no comparison to that speedglas

Like stated if you are just using the helmet for personal stuff you dont need the real expensive helmet. I use one of the cheap fixed shade helmets when working on the welding bench and a auto darking when working on our equipment or doing body work, so I can see what is around me. I also prefer the bigger lense not the little 2 inch by 5 inch eye slot helmet.

I just bought a Hobart XVS at northern tool, auto darkening, adjustable settings, large viewing area, and the head gear fits bigger melons than speedglas, jackson, or miller brand helmets. Works just as well as any jackson or speedglas that i have used. 150 bucks could get cheaper if you wait for a sale.

I have a couple speedglass but any decent auto darkening helmet will work. the one he mentioned from harbor freight soungs good to me for your application.

I have several of the Harbor Freight ones and a nicer Lincoln one.  The $40 Harbor Freight ones are hard to beat for a weekend welder.

Try to avoid a curved one because when you lay it down if it is on it's face it'll scratch up the lenses on the floor-Expensive millers are curved...

As in anything, you'll get what you pay for...

Yes, the cheaper Harbor Freight or Northern Tool helmets are nice and work well for about 6 months, but then what?  Spend the money right away and you will thank yourself a few years from now...

I, personally, use a Speedglas 9002x at work and a Miller Digital Elite at home

I would suggest a standard jackson flip hood or a huntsman, they're about 60 bux. they'er a 3.5x4.5 clear lense with a ten filter, if you really wanna be fancy get the ten gold lense. Anything other that somethign like that you run the risk of having to spend extra money on clear lenses, especially when migging from the splatter.I have a Speedglas 9100x and go through clear lenses once every 2 days, but im also burning 550 inches a minute wire speed. At 3 to 5 dollars a piece i think i'd stick with the regular old 3.5x4.5 flip hood.

I have a cheap $80 helmet and a miller performance series.  The Miller might be triple the cost but it's 10x the helmet.  You don't need a top of the line helmet, soemthing mid-range will work.  Mine is comfortable, can see alot better than the other as well.  If you are just learning to weld the better you can see the better you will do imo.  I have taught a few people to weld and they can't do a thing with my cheap helmet, just can't see what they are doing.

buy the $5 one year warranty and the problem is solved!!

I also use a harbor freight auto darkening helmet, iv had it for about 3 years with zero issues and for what you are needing one for the harbor freight one will work just fine. I have also used mine for 6 weeks straight tig welding steel/alum/moly and magnesium worked perfect.

i use a Kobalt Auto darkening from lowes that works real well. i have Zero complaints about it and i weld just about every day.

Idk if you have a harbor freight store where your at but they have a auto darkening helmet for like 30 bucks that has an adjustment for how dark and stuff. If your just learning this is not a bad helmet for the price and would be something to look at.

The Hobart helmet is made by Miller Just like the hobart welder is. It is Millers back door equipment while the good stuff goes out the front door. I uss to recommend jackson helmet then i tried a buddies speedglass at work. Awesome helmet and you can get great addons for the speed glass. I went with a miller professional series At work though because we weld so dang hot i have seen alot of people get burnt because of how compact they are. There are alot of helmets to choose from its your choice what you want. For Home i personally would go with a hobart.

i have a hobart auto darkening and its never let me down

I think anything with a decent price will be ok. Just think about it.... its only your eye sight? Yes cost varies in to it but almost all auto darkening helmets have to meet a minimum standard.

I have used a miller (till i sat it on something hot and melted it) and liked it a lot.  I currently have one I got from northern tools and I can not find another one like it so either its something unique or they change their supplier a lot.

I would go hobart, which I am going to get another helmet

I HAVE ALSO USED MY HAROR FREIGHT HELMET FOR ABOUT 4 YRS NOW.........  KEEP SOME EXTRA PLASTIC REPLACEMENT LENSES AROUND AND YOU WONT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS..... I FINALLY NEED ANOTHER ONE JUST BECAUSE IM NEVER EASY ON MINE AND THE TIGHTENING NOBS ON IT ARE MESSED UP SO IT WILL COME DOWN RANDOMLY AND SLAM ON YOUR HEAD LOL

Speedglas makes some really good hoods, i own two. But for what you are using it for just go to harbor freight and pick up an auto darkin for $50. will last you years

Picked up one at Harbor Freight after my Lincoln stopped recharging. Made it through its first derby season with no issues... not bad for $40. Has many settings, including grinder mode which works out well when switching to the plasma cutter. This helmet lasted longer than the Lincoln Mig Pro 180 that I bought this weekend... which produced 15" of weld before it took a shit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/auto-darkening-welding-helmet-with-racing-s...

Its listed for $60 now, but if you hunt around enough, you can probably get it for $50, or $40 like I got mine for.