Apart from the price, what are the pro's and cons of a solar powered auto darkening welding helmet?

Mine is a solar and battery powered.. good combination to make the batteries last longer.. Haven't replaced them yet and I've had it probably at least 5 years...

Don't see how a solar only would work well especially if doing stuff like under vehicle welding, but then again I have no experience with solar only helmet...

The main problem with solar only is the fact that they loose the charge unless you weld everyday. The ones I've seen have to be set in the sun for 10-20 minutes before you can weld, then they last all day/night because the weld light keep rechargeing it.
I'd never have one of those. Batterys on the shop helmet need changing every 12 hours of welding and that is fine.

SD

I have a Hobart batt/solar. It works VERY well. The instructions said to set it out in the sun or any good light for 10-20 min the very first time it's used, and then only needed if stored in a closed box/bag for long periods of time. I store mine in a 5gal pail w/lid, but I just get it out as I'm getting ready to start a project. I've never had a problem with it. But I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I just "walked in to a shop, put on a helmet, and pulled the trigger." There is ALWAYS something to be cut, ground, fitted, plugged in, turned on. All that takes easily 10 minutes.
I paid $179 for it. I could have paid a lot less money, but my eyes are not worth risking a few bucks. $100 seems like a lot of dough until you realize you may not have eyes for the rest of your life. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I wanted a reputable brand.

The only time I've had any problem with it, was sitting in on a beginners class that a buddy was teaching. While trying to watch from 10'ish, it would flash on/off. Fortunately, I figured it out real quick, and did not get burned at all.

That s pretty fast for a battery to be changed -12hrs. I ran a Jackson that ran off of 2 AAA batteries for production tig welding and only had to change batteries once every month or 2. The solar unit I have now runs off of the arc. No need to set in sun. Just go at it. Under trucks, between frame rails, under a dump bed, inside tool boxes, inside service bodies, ya name it it worked good.

I definately agree that it is well worth the extra $ for a good auto helmet. Ya can change the shade and delay on most. I run #12 shade with fastest response time(sensitivity)- why lag and expose more of the arc to your eyes? Later- Burn it!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ok- now I have a question for you guys though-
No sooner did I start bragging about my helmet... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />
Today, I was building a bumper, and in places where I was making T welds, my helmet started acting up. The arc and puddle would start to get brighter and brighter, then suddenly, "flash". Then just as fast, everything fine again. Only happened on 90* Ts. All horizontal, vertical, etc., was just fine.
Anybody know what might cause this? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

-Thanks

If the battery isnt dying I'd say check your hand placement while welding... if you "shadow" the pickup sensor it will turn off...Might have to tilt head a little more left/right.

Cons would be that you can see as well out of a cheap auto helment as you can through an even cheaper std helmet. With the ones with only two sensors, you have to be careful not to let the sensor get blocked, or you'll get flashed. It wont hurt your eyes, but it is damn annoying.

Other than that, they rock. You can get a good one for about $175 and a great one for about $240. I use a Miller Big Window Elite these days with 4 independent sensors.

I picked up a Miller Big Window Elite a couple months ago and can vouch for it -- very nice! Only wish that I had gotten an auto dark helmet a long time ago. Had to use a standard helmet over the weekend and don't know how I ever managed before!