Fixed Shade VS Auto Darkening Lens | Which Is BEST?

In today's video, Western Welding Academy Instructor, James Packard, goes over the pros and cons of both fixed shade and auto darkening welding lenses.
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[@YR7A]

One thing worth noting is that a $4 shade 11 green lens will a lot of the time be clearer than a $100 auto darkening lens. My Miller T94i PAPR was super expensive, and the Forney lens I started my career with lets me see more.
I guess sometimes it's apples to oranges.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Maybe, but to each their own.

[@jamesw6371]

Both have their uses. Tiny stuff, weld testing, and a few other places I'll use an auto. For the bulk of it, tinted glass has never let me down. For a while, the special clear lenses kept me away from autos. They are making them more universal now, though.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

True that

[@corrupted_sniper8020]

I just always run a fixed shade 10. No delay issues like with auto and i just like it better. To each their own just keep welding 👨‍🏭

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

That's cool! Running a fixed shade 10 sounds like it works well for you. Happy welding!

[@corrupted_sniper8020]

@@WesternWeldingAcademy thank you!

[@dreiback182]

I dont know about the prices in america but where I live you get real cheap auto darkening helmets for 30 bucks and for 60 bucks you can get into true color helmets from some known companys (still lower quality but they are OK to good from what I have heard). Also I am not a ful time welder just hobbyist so I havnt get to know many helmets and the diffrences...

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

Gotcha! Prices can vary a lot depending on where you are. Sounds like you've found some decent deals on helmets.

[@dreiback182]

@@WesternWeldingAcademy The helmet I have, you would probably throw away. I just bought one of the cheapest. But I am thinking about upgrading to a real color. Any other boxes a helmet should tick? But keep in mind, I am no professional, I am still learning but I want to have some OK equipment.

[@michaelshortridge6379]

I use a AO Weld Cool. Shade 12 if am outside running 6010, 7018 i use a 10.

[@chauncey5962]

Bet you paid a pretty penny for tht

[@michaelshortridge6379]

@@chauncey5962 No i've these lenses since new.

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

I see I see

[@elijahlangston]

As a beginner stick welder what would you recommend🤔

[@D3rron08]

Auto darkening, shorter learning curve

[@WesternWeldingAcademy]

We'd recommend testing them out if you can to see which one you prefer

[@josephherr4828]

You should learn to use a fixed shade lens sometime you’ll know how to use the basics. Like learning to drive a standard shift transmission. You have some kind of experience of basic things. Just think if you never drove a manual and all the sudden you had to.

[@elijahlangston]

@@D3rron08 I have a fixed shade rn but it’s kind of hard to

[@elijahlangston]

@@josephherr4828 I have a fixed shade rn and it’s kind of hard but I just don’t want to get a auto darkening

[@wiibear1720]

I learned to weld with a fixed lens and always used fixed lenses so I never cared much for the auto darkening lenses