I know that the topic of autodarkening helmets for TIG has been covered many times in this forum but some of those threads are now pretty old and technologies move on. Whilst lots of specific brands and models are suggested by members, I would really appreciate learning what are the characteristics of a TIG auto darkening helmet should I be looking for. All advice most welcomed and appreciated.

I am a newly minted septuagenarian who has had very successful cataract surgery in both eyes a couple of years ago and who has had great fun and very productive outputs over many years with a $100 stick welder of a brand that was recommended by an authoritative person on this website. However, when it comes to welding thin materials with a stick welder, I must confess that I am in that half of the class that makes the top half possible.

So, Youtube has well and truly sucked me in and convinced me that I just had to have a TIG welder. Accordingly, I have just taken delivery of an Unimig Razor 200 digital controlled, square wave, AC/DC, TIG Inverter welder. Any time soon, I hope to understand what all of that nomenclature means but I saw some young fella on a Youtube say that it was the "bees' knees" so that was enough of a recommendation for me! The unopened box is sitting in front of me and will be left in that state until it gets wrapped in Christmas paper and placed under our Christmas tree for opening on Christmas morning to the great surprise of younger family members who will undoubtedly wonder at the mystery of how Santa Claus thinks and works.

So, in the meantime, I am watching copious Youtubes on TIG welding and reading what I can in readiness for the time when I start destroying small bits of metal and depleting the planet's argon resources in my quest to ultimately develop enough skill to be able to weld two razor blades together, or other similarly brilliant feats of magic.

I have had a cheaper, non adjustable, auto darkening helmet for many years and it works fine on stick welding but, being ever conscious of eye health as I get older, I reckon that I ought to upgrade to an auto darkening helmet that will protect me as well as can be expected with TIG welding.

What are the features or spec that I should be looking for please? Looking at what welding suppliers and tool shops sell is very confusing. eg I am never sure if the higher prices for some helmets are down to their better eye protection or the art work that they are adorned with, most of which would scare the living daylights out of my youngest grandchildren.

I do wear reading glasses but am pleased that after having cataract surgery, I no longer need to wear distance glasses, after 49 years of so doing, to drive a car.

All advice gratefully received, including knowledge of whether there is an Australian Standard that I should be looking for in regard to autodarkening helmets for TIG users.


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