helmet ?

[Zoomie]

I also got the plain black viking 3350 hood (model K-3034-1 I think?!?). I'm getting older and struggled to see anything but the puddle with my old HF hood (Jody Recommended) I didn't have this issue when I began using it and it served me well through a mig welding class and 2 years of hobby welding. I see the HF unit as money well spent. On the other hand, the Viking has a HUGE viewing area and really adjustable. It allows me to set the filter so that I can still see the work's detail. It truly helped immensely. I bought it at my LWS for $230. I found it online cheaper but was unwilling to wait for shipping.

[Chrisp]

Don't scrimp on an auto helmet, you only get one set of eyes. The cheap ones switch a fraction slower than a quality lens does. I've had a jackson helmet and a huntsman 951P with an AV VXL 4x4 auto dark cartridge. The huntsman wins hands down. I bought the cartridge 8 years ago, and the only thing I've done is change batteries and lens covers. Just my 2 cents worth.

Chris