Helmet-digital or regular Elite?

[Grumple]

Is the digital Elite worth the extra $$ over the regular Miller Elite welding helmet??
Thanks,
Grumple

[StillBoostin]

Would love to here everyone's response to this. Some people prefer the auto on of the old Elite. The digital Elite has a UV sensor and will turn to dark even if weld spark is not visible. That is what I hear.

[Grumple]

Well, I just bought the regular Elite after hearing that and also cause it seems prices are going up. Its about 1000 times better than my old helmet. :D
Thanks,
Grumple

[awill4x4]

Well, I just bought the regular Elite after hearing that and also cause it seems prices are going up. Its about 1000 times better than my old helmet. :D
Thanks,
Grumple

Yes, and the new digital is better again.
The one thing I'm not so fond of with the digital is having to remember to turn it back on if you haven't been welding for 15 minutes or so.
I've found the X mode on the digital to be excellent for restricted view or for outside welding where the sunlight will trigger the lens unless you have your sensitivity turned down very low.
Regards Andrew from Oz.

[Grumple]

Thats fine but I plan on doing all my welding indoors so I won't have to worry about that for now anyhow. Also, the extra money went towards a pulser so I will have that too. Its all good. :D
Grumple

[fendermender]

I have a plain jane black elite that is 4 or 5 months old and I have just gotten used to reaching inside and pushing the reset button before striking an ark because it doesn't "auto on" with out doing so.
That is my work hood.
My 2 auto shade hoods here at the house( harbor frieght -just totally quit.... older jackson ajustable shade- auto shade insert.... always freaks out.) have given in and I was thinking about another elite for here so I am interested in input on this too.
Randall

[Icarus]

I have the miller performance series right not but thinking of going with an Optrel Satellite or a digital elite. Any real reasoning to pick one over the other?

[Laiky]

i love my digital elite, it has a shade for every occasion. The mag trigger is great too. I can tig weld at low or high amps, plasma cut, torchweld and grind all with one hood. Optics and fit are great too.

[Badd00SS]

I love my Digital Elite, It's great. You only need one helmet for everything I used to have 3. And it is Super light and durable!!!

[crawler]

There is only $40 difference between the Elite and Digital Elite (black models on ebay). I would rather buy the Digital since it will detect magnetic fields to darken.

[Grumple]

Alright already....:p I changed my order to the "digital" as it hadn't shipped yet. I am sure it will be fine either way but now I got the cream of the crop.
:D
Grumple

[Wacko Welder]

I have a Miller Elite with the knobs you turn. I guess that is non-digital. Unless something is wrong, I think mine stays "ready" all the time. I set at 10, back sensitivity to light conditions . . . As soon as I strike an arc I go dark . . . Lay it down for an hour or so, put it on, strike an arc, it goes dark . . Am I supposed to be turning it on or readying it?

Seems to work perfectly . . . .

Steve (Extreme Newby)

[StillBoostin]

I have a Miller Elite with the knobs you turn. I guess that is non-digital. Unless something is wrong, I think mine stays "ready" all the time. I set at 10, back sensitivity to light conditions . . . As soon as I strike an arc I go dark . . . Lay it down for an hour or so, put it on, strike an arc, it goes dark . . Am I supposed to be turning it on or readying it?

Seems to work perfectly . . . .

Steve (Extreme Newby)

Your's is the the older Elite. The new digital you have to turn on after 15min. I wish the digital was auto on:(.

[fendermender]

I have a Miller Elite with the knobs you turn. I guess that is non-digital. Unless something is wrong, I think mine stays "ready" all the time. I set at 10, back sensitivity to light conditions . . . As soon as I strike an arc I go dark . . . Lay it down for an hour or so, put it on, strike an arc, it goes dark . . Am I supposed to be turning it on or readying it?

Seems to work perfectly . . . .

Steve (Extreme Newby)

Something might be wrong with mine or I may have to change the sensitivity.
Sometimes it "auto" on's and sometimes not.
I usuall strike an ark or two and if it doesn't darken I push the reset button and it does.
I went ahead and ordered a digital elite for the house yesterday morn. and the regular elite is still under warranty so I may send it back if the sensitivity thing doesn't work.
Randall

[Laiky]

no sensitivity setting should stop it from darkening when exposed to an arc! I might try a new battery if i were you.

[boldfabrication]

Sorry to say my elite went flying across the shop when it wouldnt darken while I was welding a rollcage that was in a tight spot no matter the sensitivity. This had happen more than once and I just had enough. I went with the 4 sensors cause I had had trouble with other helmets with anything less.
It held up though and now belongs to a good friend of mine, it was a great gift. I am now back to the oldskool $30 huntsman. Im not going to waste another $300+ for the digital. Its good to hear everyone else is happy with thiers.

[StillBoostin]

Sorry to say my elite went flying across the shop when it wouldnt darken while I was welding a rollcage that was in a tight spot no matter the sensitivity. This had happen more than once and I just had enough. I went with the 4 sensors cause I had had trouble with other helmets with anything less.
It held up though and now belongs to a good friend of mine, it was a great gift. I am now back to the oldskool $30 huntsman. Im not going to waste another $300+ for the digital. Its good to hear everyone else is happy with thiers.
The new fix shade MP-10 would be a great option for you. It is the same hood and headgear as the Elite's just a fix shade 10 or 11 or 12.4x4 window. Cheap too $33.47 bucks onEbay plus shipping (weldfabulous). Think I'm going to get one this week. Not sure if I'll get the fire or the pain black though.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/weldinghelmets/mp10.php

[Laiky]

for 33 bucks you should buy one to throw next time an auto dark gives you a problem!! much cheaper and just as satisfying.

[boldfabrication]

This I know thats why it was a gift and I went back to the $33 helmet which is always dark so I shouldnt have a problem. BTW it held up nice, worked like nothing ever happened which does say something about the durability of it, just not my cup of tea ;).

[lanceman73]

Elite, Elite, and Elite! The best on the market, you won't go wrong.

[smithdj]

personaly i would not buy the digital, i like the regular elite because there are in between shades, and with the digital its either 10 or 11, with the analog dials you will find inside the regular elite you have the ability to do in between shades, such as 10.5 or 11.5. what do you think?

[lanceman73]

There are settings between 9 and 12 on my helmet. The auto on and off are awesome! This is my third auto shade helmet, non have come from Harbor Freight. The elite is light and has solar assistance, so your battery last for a long time(3000 hours).

[Laiky]

personaly i would not buy the digital, i like the regular elite because there are in between shades, and with the digital its either 10 or 11, with the analog dials you will find inside the regular elite you have the ability to do in between shades, such as 10.5 or 11.5. what do you think?


thats the first time i have heard that argument made! i can see the upside of having an infinate adjustment, my older hobart hood is the same. I would still take my d-elite over it though, i think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (the only one i can think of is the lack of a knob). I can also say that the shade settings are easy to set and stay where you put them on the digital.

[fendermender]

My new digital showed up yesterday but the outside tempts. were over 100

+or - a bunch of degrees!!!!
So..........
I haven't tested it in the real world yet.