Jackson pipeliner for 50 years. I ask the welder at work about the auto darkening hoods before he retired. He said those are for pussies. I’d like to try one.
I felt the same way
After I had a job were I had to weld over 1000 1 inch welds my neck was finished before the 1st day.
I went to my weld supply shop and told them I wanted the best auto lens they had in stock
I picked up a NexGen with a Polycarbon shell and fell in love with it the very first day.
I had it for a couple years and dropped it killing the lens.
I went 2 days with my old helmet and went back and picked up another NexGen
I do not know if they even make them anymore but I will only go back to a standard hood for a back up.
I only have around 10 hoods that I have acquired over the years so a back up is a bit hard to find
HA HA
I do a lot of spot welding on wire mesh security screens at the present time and I can buzz the the welding real fast by not having to lift my hood between welds to line up the frame and mesh before the welding.
Good luck with what you choose sometime you get what you pay for and a Harbor Freight or Northern Tool grade helmet is not for me. It is your eyes so choose what is best for you.
By the way my NexGen accepts the Cheaters. I use them because of my old eyes.