Jackson helmet is my choice, which one?

Question

I read as many group message on auto darkening helmets as I could, then decided on a Jacksom helmet. The main points that came up that spark more questions are the ones about color of eye effecting how dark or light the lens will need to be. Also, GOLD lens ? Where did that come from? Does Jackson make any models that use a gold lens? Is it really better than NON-Gold types? Would this be an autodarkening gold lens, or does being gold mean that it doesn't require autodarkening?

I went to order a Jackson NEX Gen, then I see that all the models are so close in price. So can someone explain EQC, HTLS, Executive, Journeyman, and do any of them have a Gold lens?

I already know how nice the other delay features are, and varible shades. i am guessing that the larger lens is better, and the 3 in 1 would be handy for grinding, and other eye protection needs. Should i assume that the 3 in one has a better lens, more protection, or a cover over the lens to protect it from grining particles?

Is there an FAQ on welding helmets? Maybe all this is answered there?

Thanks for the help.. Joe

R. Duncan · Accepted Answer

Light filters including what is called welding lens were colored glass or plastic. They rather filtered a broad area of the light spectrum. Then they developed light filters using very thin matallic layers deposited onto glass or plastic. They refected the light waves that were filtered rather than absorbed the light waves. This lets them fine tune light wave lengths that are filtered and the degree its filtered. The gold & less common silver welding filters are thin film filters and much better than the old ones. Thin film filters when scratched removes the filter and the filters protection in that area so gold lenses should be replaced when scratched.

All auto darkening welding filters include a thin film UV/IR filter that protects the welder as auto darkening only filters visable light.

Thin film filters are now applied by solution to glasses to filter UV/IV light.

Ernie Leimkuhler · Answer

The NexGen is the top of the line lens.I have had one for about a year.Very nice lens, and one of only 2 lenses on the market that aresensitive enough for low amperage inverter TIG.The other one is the Speedglas 9000xiThe 3-in-1 lenses come in 2 sizes.The Master is the smaller lens and the Executive is the larger lens.If you can, order it with a Huntsman 951 shell instead of the JacksonShadow hood.The Huntsman 951 shell has much better hinges and headgear.Huntsman and Jackson are made in the same factory about 200 feet apart.The best prices I have seen on Jackson lenses are on eBay.

FThera · Answer

I got my 3n1 EQC Executive from  for $269 and change. I like it a LOT.

Desert Traveler · Answer

Get a NexGen EQC, and don't look back.  I love mine.Steve

Jackson helmet is my choice, which one?

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