Welding Helmet Questions

[Joe Dillard]

I have a decent basic Lincoln welding helmet that's served me well for the last couple years. No real complaints about it for what it cost. Just the simple hood and head pad, no nice do-dads.

I'm thinking about getting another one as an upgrade. I saw it in the Harbor Freight flyer that I get at my house once in a while. It's a Chicago Electric adjustable shade auto-darkening helmet. Price seems reasonable @ $49.99, basically 1/2 their normal price. The add mentions it darkens from shade #4 to #9-#13 in 1/20,000 of a second.

So, does this sound like a reasonably good helmet, or should I pass & look at another that may cost more, but will be a better product?

I like the option of not having to play around with the hood while starting the bead.

Also, does anybody know if this helmet has a protective clear lens to help keep the welding lens from getting damaged by debris?