Longevity Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Review

[KHK]

I had a chance to use my new Longevity welding mask today. I was very impressed! The only othe auto-darking helmit I have used is a HF helmet. The Longevity helmet blows the HF helmet out of the park!!

keith

[Gadget]

I feel the same way about mine Keith. I especially like the solid lock on the flip up. I have never had a flash when doing low amp TIG either.

Dan

[Gaustin]

What were some of the differnce in th HF. I have the blue flame model and other than being impossible to grind with, it works well. One feature I dont like is the external shade adjustment. Tpp easy to adjust without knowing it.

[Gadget]

The most important thing to me was the HF helmet can occasionally open up when using TIG at low currents. Eye burns are no fun. The second thing is the HF helmet keeps dropping from the raised position when moving around. The Longevity unit has a snaplock type of positioner that so far has not dropped on me.
You get a large supply of band cushions with the Longevity unit too. And the head strap adjusts very smoothly on the Longevity unit. The Longevity unit also has the shade adjustment on the outside though just so you know.
And of course, Longevity has a very wide selection of designs and colors. Not important but nice just the same.

Dan

[KHK]

There seams to be more breathing room in the Longevity helmet. I welded with the HF helmet for about 30 sec and the lense foged up. On the same day about 2 min later I welded with the Longevity helmet for at least 45 secbefore it foged up.
The longevity helmet is more comfortable to ware. The head strap is easier to adjust.
My compairson is between a $69.00 hf helmet and a $149.00 longevity helmet.

The point; If you are going to buy a helmet spend the extra $ for a great helmet

I wanted to reply sooner but I was having problems posting

keith

[LONGEVITY]

Thank you for the review Kieth. We will have more helmets out shortly as well as other cool gear.

Simon

[arandall]

OK - now I have a question about Auto-darkening helmets. I have two helmets which I have had for at least 3 years - both solar powered, with adjustable shade (9-13). I am having more and more problems seeing my work with both helmets. Do these things deteriorate with age? - Or is it just my 62 year old eyes?

Cheers,

Art R.

[Gadget]

Art,
I may be stating the obvious but is the cover lens clean?

[LONGEVITY]

Art,

The batteries on your helmet may be going out. There is a lifespan on those helmets. Two years is about right. Check the manufacturer specs of battery and lens life.

[arandall]

Gadget:
Thanks for the tip - sometimes the obvious does get overlooked, but in this case I have cleaned the lenses. - It looks like I'll be buying a new helmet when I can afford it, and with the support I have been shown so far, it will be from Longevity.

Cheers,

Arr R.