I've had several arc-activated helmets & hoods since, but I still close my eyes when I strike the arc out of habit.
Those must have been as slow tinting as hell to have you form a habit like that ....bugger that !
You're right about early ones, their vision widow was pretty small and some buddies helmets had furking batteries too....stuff that, as it's not like being at the bench where batteries are normally within reach.
I've had this cheap auto darkener for ~7 yrs since I lost everything in a workshop fire and don't even think it has blatteries instead it has a PV panel atop the viewing window which while not monstrous is still larger than a normal flip front. I've been pretty happy with it after needing 2 shades of lenses for arc and MIG in a flip front while with a auto helmet you just wind in more darkness.
Well, the blink as you strike thing was a habit developed with the old FibreMetal helmet; you’d flip the helmet up and position to strike, then blink and jerk your head a little as you heard the arc so the helmet pops down. Once you learn, it becomes second nature; maybe 1/4 second or so that you’re welding blind.
Easy to do horizontal & vertical in most situations while standing or working on a bench; when you have to do “in situ” welding is where it can be an assache... especially if you get out of the habit of using the flip visor because you’re working in the shop for long stints, like railing contracts & such.
I never got out of the habit because I never fully trusted the manufacturer’s claims of safety; just because your rods & cones can’t sense the light, doesn’t mean the retina isn’t being exposed.
The newer helmets have a small rechargeable battery in them that is maintained by the PV cell, that means even if you use it regularly the helmet will have a finite lifespan before it dies. I have no idea if there is any kind of regulation as to what, if any, failsafes these cheap helmets must have.
mnem
*knocks self unconscious with a post maul*