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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Default Welding helmet features/ jargon

    I have a Miller elite that I am quite happy with but the on switch is a bit dicky these days so it might be on the way out. Being 16+ years old I doubt there would be spares for it readily available. More as idle speculation at the moment, I've just spent some time looking over the Miller, Optrel, Speedglas, Lincoln and a few other sites looking at helmets.
    I found that some of their signature technologies I know nothing about. As well, the biggest irritant of the current helmet (the uncommon battery - try getting a pair of CR2024 on a Sunday around here...) is unanswered, as I can't see a battery size listed for some of these.
    For those who have/ use industrial quality helmets, what features do yours have and are they really as wonderful as they sound? For example, Miller has their X-mode, but as I normally weld on a bench inside on my lonesome, I doubt I would see a great deal of benefit.

    Michael

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
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    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    As well, the biggest irritant of the current helmet (the uncommon battery - try getting a pair of CR2024 on a Sunday around here...)
    Almost every Google search for CR2024 throws up CR2025, which is available at Bunnings. I found one reference which indicated the 2024 was 3.0V as is the 2025. The 2025 should be the same diameter and 0.1mm thicker than the 2024.

    Is it possible the 2025 is a replacement for the 2024?
    Chris

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    To keep it OT,
    I have a speedglas 9100 XXI with the tru-view lens. Love it.
    You can get the same lens technology (less grinding mode) in the 9002 series helmet (it's lighter and narrower than the 9100, if that floats your boat).

    I like the 9100 for it's clear lens (it's great), and the shade 5 side windows make it great for glancing at the machine amperage setting while welding, if I need to. I don't use the grinding setting, as I'm always wearing clear safety glasses underneath, but if I do it's accessible by pressing the frame on the outside of the helmet, and flashes an intermittant light inside the helmet to let me know it's on grind mode.
    The harness is comfortable, all parts are replaceable if I need to, with good availability at a number of the reputable suppliers. Can't say the same for a lot of the other helmets out there, especially so for the non-trade level helmets.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Default

    Yes, the 'true view' or in Lincoln's case their 4C technology is another one that comes up. Good to hear it is a positive feature.

    I assume the grind mode stuff is just so you can grind without removing the helment and the sparks don't set off the darkening?

    I just wish some of these helments did not look like escapees from NASA space programs (looking at you Optrel...)

    Michael

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Almost every Google search for CR2024 throws up CR2025, which is available at Bunnings. I found one reference which indicated the 2024 was 3.0V as is the 2025. The 2025 should be the same diameter and 0.1mm thicker than the 2024.

    Is it possible the 2025 is a replacement for the 2024?
    It might be. the local shops here have 2032 and everything else is up for grabs. Our Bunnings is not a warehouse, so stock is not as readily available. Some of the latest helmets seem to have something even thicker - a 2450(?). If I have to keep spares in the fridge then so be it, but it would be really nice to be able to find the necessary batteries at short notice in the local chemist or supermarket.

    Michael

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    What self respecting blokes doesn't have a fridge section dedicated to things like sealants, glues, loctite, batteries etc???

    As for grind mode, yes, stops it from going dark from grinding sparks.
    The speedglas can also be locked to a shade - ie act as a fixed shade. Useful if you are welding in a spot where the arc is occluded by an obstacle on the weld piece, preventing the sensors from tripping to dark.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
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    68
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    Default

    My Speedglas 9100 uses standard 2032 batteries and the protective lenses are cheap. They also have readily available cheater lenses for those of us who are of a more "mature" disposition. It gets used just about every day for either MIG or stick work in the workshop and out on site and I haven't been able to kill it yet

    I also have an Optrel Crystal 2.0 for my TIG work, it automatically adjusts the shade level in response to the incoming light level. This one stays in the workshop so I can't comment on how robust it would be in a harsh environment.

    Both have very clear lenses, both allow adjustment of the sensitivity level and delay intervals - I'd recommend either any day of the week. Coming from a Miller Elite you'd notice that they are both quite a lot lighter.

    Both the Speedglas and Optrel helmets will run down to shade level 4 (Optrel) or 5 (Speedglas) so can be used for gas welding or plasma cutting.

    If you want to try either of them in person I'm at Aberfoyle Park.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Berowra Waters
    Posts
    149

    Default

    +1 for speedglass, it has brought my welding proficiency up leaps and bounds, makes such a difference, I’ve had old timers try it and they loved it too. I got the burn proof cover that goes over tour head and down to the neck, stops light getting in from above, much easier to see and also sparks when welding overhead, it’s great. The batteries have lasted for ages too.

  9. #9
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    Oct 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gavin Newman View Post
    ... Coming from a Miller Elite you'd notice that they are both quite a lot lighter.
    Just as a note, the Elite is around 530g, so on par with the Optrel (460g) and Speedglas (625g).

    I've had a look at the electronics on the Elite and they seem to be in a clip together enclosure, so the chances of getting in to repair the switch are shrinking...

    Michael

  10. #10
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    Aug 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    Just as a note, the Elite is around 530g, so on par with the Optrel (460g) and Speedglas (625g).
    That's interesting, I had a Miller Digital Elite and it felt a lot more front-heavy than my Speedglas. Perceptions are a funny thing...

  11. #11
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    Oct 2011
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    Reading the sales stuff, one thing that both the Speedglas and Optrel brands claim is balance. I don't try lifting up the Elite as the weight is in the front - it stays down or is taken off.

    The newer helmets have some nice features though. I think I would especially appreciate some of the auto-on features, where you don't have to think about whether you have been away from the helmet for longer than xx minutes...

    Michael

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    Reading the sales stuff, one thing that both the Speedglas and Optrel brands claim is balance. I don't try lifting up the Elite as the weight is in the front - it stays down or is taken off.
    That was the problem I had with the Miller, if I had the adjustment loose enough to "nod" the front down it would fall down all the time while I was setting up the next joint. Drove me mad so I sold it and bought the Optrel. There's a couple of Optrel helmets that look a bit "out there" but the Crystal 2.0 looks quite mainstream if that's a factor.

    The consumables (lens covers etc.) for the Speedglas are quite a lot cheaper and easier to obtain than those for the Optrel though, whether that's a problem depends on how often you swap them out - I usually go through a front shield every month or so on the Speedglas.

  13. #13
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    Oct 2011
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    I must confess to being pretty mean when it comes to changing lens covers etc. I always seem to think that I just did it recently so I've started writing the date in texta in a corner (I do it with gloves too), so I can convince myself that actually I haven't changed them just 'a couple of weeks/ months ago', and can convince myself that I'm not running through them at a great rate.

    I'm doing mainly TIG on thin stuff at the moment, and both these brands are regarded as really good for this tech at lower amp levels. The Elite on the other hand was bought more for general use as I was just starting with TIG at the time and mainly doing stick. One trick I have heard of (and should try) is using my old fixed shade helmet for stick - let it collect the fume etc and leave the good helmet for TIG. I also try not to put my helmet down on the lens, although I notice that both the Speedglas and Optrel lenses are recessed slightly, so as long as they go on a flat surface, they should not get scratched (at least that way).

    Michael

  14. #14
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    Oct 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gavin Newman View Post
    That's interesting, I had a Miller Digital Elite and it felt a lot more front-heavy than my Speedglas. Perceptions are a funny thing...
    I found the same Gavin. Just before last Christmas I shouted myself a new Speedglas helmet. I had spoken to a few contacts at a local engineering company and they mostly used Miller helmets which were somewhat cheaper than a Speedglas, and needing to watch my pennies I thought that if they liked them, a Miller should be good enough for me. But when I tried each of them on at my local welding shop, The MillerDigital Elite definitely felt front heavy and put a strain on my neck, while the Speedglas just felt better balanced, so for $555 I bought the Speedglas. While I have not yet used it as much as I had hoped I would, so far I have no complaints or regrets.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I must confess to being pretty mean when it comes to changing lens covers etc. I always seem to think that I just did it recently so I've started writing the date in texta in a corner (I do it with gloves too), so I can convince myself that actually I haven't changed them just 'a couple of weeks/ months ago', and can convince myself that I'm not running through them at a great rate.
    Both the Optrel and Speedglas have recessed front panels.

    The Optrel used for TIG rarely needs covers changed but since I retired 18 months ago I've been doing a lot of restoration and fabrication work at the local steam railway depot which involves stick welding in out of position conditions - the Speedglas I use for that gets smoked and scratched despite my best efforts and the recessed front so the covers on that get changed frequently. From memory they are around $4 each.

    Working inside smokeboxes and under locos I find the peripheral vision through the side panels on the Speedglas very helpful.

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