What Do You Think Of This Helment

[drizler]

http://store.weldersource.com/optivav080.html

What do you guys think of this helment? I just did a side by side with one yesterday comparing it to my HF cheapie and found it truly night and day different. All I did was run a few short mig welds with it but it seemed very nice by comparison. Who makes optiva anyways? Please say it's not Chinese.

[84ZMike]

Not sure about that lid....you can get a Miller Pro Hobby for $130....
http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLER-PRO-HOBBY-EAGLE-II-WELDING-HELMET-231405_W0QQitemZ350014129298QQihZ022QQcategoryZ920 90QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Mike

[Zrexxer]

[url]Who makes optiva anyways? Please say it's not Chinese.Judging from the instructions that came with my Miller XLiX, it was made somewhere in Asia too... probably China. There's no getting away from it.

[drizler]

This is a tutorial at the IOC site. Why don't they recommend any for overhead. ?
While many welders still use the old static lens (non-electronic) helmet or mask, once you use an auto-change (electronic) helmet you will never go back. I'll start with a word of warning. We have looked at many of this type helmet that we could sell for $59-79 but have never seen one that was even approaching the quality we would want to sell. We strive to sell product that will function as stated and will last for a while. I will divide the helmets into type of welding designed for and will list them in the order I feel is the ranking they deserve. The biggest difference as they go up in price are features. Adjustability, in arc sensing, delay, different shades etc. I feel it is best to buy a helmet with adjustable shade 9-13 as we all have different tolerance to arc. If you need to wait a little to get a better helmet, do it, as you will probably be looking again shortly if you go to "cheap" on this product. Also the less expensive you buy will have much smaller viewing area, as small as 1.5 x 3" versus 2" x 4" on the better helmets. All the top of the line helmets are within 1/4" of 2" x 4", the cartridge looks larger, but that is the viewing area. Read listing carefully if you need a mag or cheater lens, as not all will accomodate them. No other welding item you ever purchase will affect you more than a good welding helmet. Nowhere does the Expression "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR" apply more than with an electronic helmet. Features are outlined in individual listings.

Stick Welding:

All these helmets are good for stick welding, however overhead welding of anykind is not usually recommended. Remember I will list in order of quality and best features. Hornell 9002X, Hornell 9002V, Jackson Nex-gen, Optrel Satellite, Miller Elite series, Miller PERFORMANCE series and Miller PRO HOBBY series Hornell Utility and Jackson Apprentice. Last 2 are single shade 10 only.

Mig Welding

Same as above ranking.

Tig Welding

Hornell 9002X, Hornell 9002V, Jackson Nex-Gen, Optrel Satellite, Miller Elite series and Miller PERFORMANCE series.

BEST VALUE AT CURRENT TIME FOR ALL WELDING TYPES EXCEPT EXTREMELY LOW AMP TIG WELDING IS THE MILLER PERFORMANCE SERIES.

While there are many other brands and models on the market, we feel that the above if used properly and taken care of, will do all you want or need and can last for many years. I would stay with one that has replaceable batteries as while solar batteries are nice, if not put in actual sun from time to time you may experience problems. Many of these helmets have solar assist which helps batteries last longer. Average battery life 1500-2000 hours.

Link to our EBay store, auto darkening helmets below.

http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC_Helmets-AUTO-DARKNING_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQtZkm ?refid=store

Please remember to click yes or no below for usefullness of this guide.

http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC_Helmets-AUTO-DARKNING_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQtZkm ?refid=store

SAVE THIS BOOKMARK http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm?refid=store
Please remember to click yes or no below for usefullness of this guide.

[Troy N. Fredell]

I think Sellstrom helmets are made in U.S.A and they are affordable

[Jonesy70]

I use a nex gen in a jackson shadow hood...and I love it...the lite shield that came with the lens I didn't like because it was too flimsy...the shadow is alittle heavy but I deal...as far as what it is recomended welding possisions are, I have welded anyway that you can think of...I have even hung my very big A$$ upside down to make a welds and it has never failed me!!!! I have used arc one lenses in the past and I liked it....as far as where they are made...I don't know and honestly don't care since they work well...I'd buy American if they worked as well...I have ordered a Sellstrom last week because i hope that it will give me better protection of my throat...It also should fit my nex gen lense...I'll let you know how it turns out

[adamwi54660]

I just bought the northern tools brand auto darkening, it was $50 and is just as good as my miller pro hobby helmet.

[sunpeople]

To Tony N. who wrote that Sellstorm helmets are made in the USA, i can tell you that the helmet may be but the auto dark lens IS NOT its made in China. At lease the model i bought was, How i know this is i just bought a Sellstorm helmet for my son so he does not have to use my Speedglass 9002X to learn how to tig weld.

As soon as we got the new Sellstrom helmet we took the lens out of the helmet to look at it and printed right on the side of the lens in big letters are the dreaded words MADE IN CHINA! But you want to hear the sad part, on the outside of the Sellstrom box the label says made in the USA.

From now on i will call the helmet maker and ask questions first before i spend my money because if i had known the lens was made in Chine i would have looked at other brands of helmets and not bought this one.

[maspann]

Drizler,

Thanks for the info. Do you know which ones will allow cheater lenses? I have "a friend" who needs one.....

Mark

[smyrna5]

http://store.weldersource.com/optivav080.html

What do you guys think of this helment? I just did a side by side with one yesterday comparing it to my HF cheapie and found it truly night and day different. All I did was run a few short mig welds with it but it seemed very nice by comparison. Who makes optiva anyways? Please say it's not Chinese.

When you say it was like night and day, can you be more specific? In what ways was it like night and day? Did one have a wavy lens? Was the head gear sloppy and didn't fit? Did the auto-dark feature not work? Was the lens too small? etc. etc. Was one much brigher than the other when welding? Did one have leaks, or shield outside light better? I'm not trying to be picky, but I've bought more tools in the last year to feed my welding hobby than perhaps in my whole life before, and we all have budgets. If I am going to cast my NT hood overboard, I need to know what I am going to get for the money.

[unit5alive]

I just bought the northern tools brand ,auto darkening , $50.00 , probably not the best , but a hugh improvement over my old flip type !

[Bob the Welder]

Optiva welding hood looks like a Horrible Freight hood. 1000 to 1 it's made in Communist China. Also says it has nobs outside of hood for easy adjustment: not a good idea as it's very easy to bump and knock out of adjustment!

As far as not using a blinkie for OH welding, that's someone talking out their butt because their mouth knows better. :p

I use this hood all the time and LOVE it. http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/3013595.html
You won't have a case of woulda', shoulda', coulda'. :)