Topic: Auto darkening welding hood

[FourbangerYJ]

I've had a Hobart Hood for about 5 years, and have been happy with how it works.  Paid about $100 for it on sale.  I've used fancier helmets and never noticed a difference, Also use a really cheap HF hood that a friend had and got some pretty good headaches from it.

This is the same one I've got
http://store.cyberweld.com/hohowehehoth.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase

I thought about buying from Cyberweld. They have good prices. I saw the same Lincoln I bought on ebay for about $135 shipped. I bought mine from the local airgas store. They gave me a 10% discount. I wanted it ASAP and not wait on shipping. Plus I like to try on the various hoods to see how the compare with each other.
I debated weather or not to get a hood that used batteries. The Lincoln solar panel is more than double the size of my Jackson. Plus it's just over a pound. It's real light weight. I don't hardly notice it on when I have it up. I like the headgear. It seems to have a notch to keep it in the up position. My Jackson would creep down no matter how tight I put it. Plus I can see way better with this hood. The only downside is the knob on the outside to adjust the shade level. It somehow got put on the grind mode and I didn't know  until I stared welding. Got flashed pretty good.  So I put some tape on the knob to keep it on the 11 shade. Seems to work fine there. They do have a model where the adjustment knob is on the inside with the rest of the adjustment knobs. That would be a better setup.

[USARLen]

I'd suggest getting one with more than one 'sensor'.  Mine only has a sensor above the glass, and once in a while, if I'm under a car or something, that little sensor doesn't pick up the welding, and doesn't darken the mask.  I know some higher end models have 4 sensors picking up the welding, and darkening the unit.  And, if you own a welder, and own a jeep, chances are very strong you will be welding underneath the jeep someday.

[FourbangerYJ]

I'd suggest getting one with more than one 'sensor'.  Mine only has a sensor above the glass, and once in a while, if I'm under a car or something, that little sensor doesn't pick up the welding, and doesn't darken the mask.  I know some higher end models have 4 sensors picking up the welding, and darkening the unit.  And, if you own a welder, and own a jeep, chances are very strong you will be welding underneath the jeep someday.

When I was looking around I didn't see any with just 1 sensor. They all had 2-4.
My old hood had 2 sensors and I used it in all positions from laying under the Jeep to welding the cage. I don't recall getting flashed. But having more sensors is good if your worried about it.

[FourbangerYJ]