Quote Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver
I have never used a "cheapie" helmet so I would not know, mine was a 200 dollar unit. Unless thats a cheapie. All this reading I did was a little under ten years ago so the technology SHOULD of got better but it would stiil take time for the sensor to trigger.IMO for any tacking all you need is to be able to set up and control your helmet, pretty easy for most situations.
Lots of changes in technology---best change was about 5 years ago... no idea what the electronic stuff is, but the good one's (mine was a tad over $300.00) are very, very fast!!! Main reason I like my auto darkening is having too do so many in place tacks that gets my poor old crippled up bod so far out of position that once I get everything clamped and held in place and I'm standing on my head, almost impossible to nod the helmet down.... On the rare occasions that it's something I can weld on the bench, I get my trusty old Jackson out (with the geezer magnifier installed) and weld away!!!!!! Prior to getting my good auto darkening helmet, most of my tacking was done with no helmet and eyes shut!!!!!

As I said earlier, my best welding these days is to get things tacked then wait till my pal Bart (he's only 38) shows up, then have him weld it.... Had I actually used proper welding techniques through the years, I'd be able to see a whole lot better now.... But hey, I doubt the kids will listen any better now then I did when I was their age.......