Miller’s Digital Elite TM Welding Helmet

Miller Digital Elite Welding Helmet
A welding helmet is an absolute must for anyone doing any level of welding, and there is an abyssal difference between a good helmet and a great helmet from a protection, from an ease of use and quality standpoint. In short, you get what you pay for, and for a little extra money spent you get a lot of features and safety.

Miller is known worldwide as one of the very best makers of welders, plasma cutters, metal working tools, and accessories, but they also make welding safety gear too, including welding helmets, jackets, gloves and so forth. They recently sent us a Digital Elite series welding helmet in their patriotic Stars and Stripes II paint scheme.

The Miller Digital Elite welding helmet offers four modes for the metalworker; Weld, Cut, Grind and X-Mode – which provides greater versatility than other standard auto-darkening helmets.


Miller Digital Elite Welding HelmetThe Digital Elite series is designed for professional welders and serious hobbyists alike who demand control, flexibility, and durability, while remaining lightweight (only 18 oz.).  Digital Elite helmets feature the precision of a digital control that allows users to set and store their shade, sensitivity and delay preferences for various applications:

  • Welding shades 8-13
  • Cutting shades 5-8
  • Grinding shade 3
  • X-Mode shades 8-13


The X-Mode provides full protection for those instances when there is an arc present, but the sensors are obscured.   X-Mode also eliminates interference from sunlight and out-of-position welding angles, such as those found in pipe welding or in obstructed or hidden-cavity welds—it also excels at low-amperage TIG welding (5 amps and below).  When activated, those four arc sensors that come standard with the Auto-Off feature, respond in 1/20,000 of a second, allowing for complete eye protection.

Key Features:

  • Manual-On and Auto-Off allow user to take full advantage of the 3,000 hour battery life
  • The 9.22 sq. in. viewing field houses four independent arc sensors for an intuitive and broad scope of vision
  • Precision of digital control with memory
  • Viewing Area – 3.85 in x 2.38 in / 9.22 sq in (97 x 60 mm)
  • Features Four Modes:
    • Weld Mode – Variable Shade #8 – 13
    • Cut Mode – Variable Shade #5 – 8
    • Grind Mode – Light State #3
    • X-Mode – Variable Shade #8 – 13- Electromagnetic Arc Sensing eliminates: Sunlight interference – Outdoors, Low-Amperage Lens Opening – TIG, Lens Openings – Pipe/Curves, Obstructed Sensors – Hidden/Cavity Welds
  • Four Arc Sensors – 1/20,000 sec lens speed
  • Sensitivity and Delay Control – .10 – 1.0 sec
  • TIG rating – 5 Amps
  • Manual-On/Auto-Off power control
  • Accessible Bottom-mounted controls
  • Weighs only 18 oz (510 g)
  • Replacement lithium batteries (2) 3,000 hours with solar assist
  • Convenient Magnifying Lens holder
  • Includes $25 Accessory Package: 5 outside and 2 inside cover lenses, helmet bag, comfort cushion
  • Meets ANSI Z87.1-2003 (High Impact) standard
  • Hard Hat Adapter accessory available (#222 003)
  • Magnifying lens holder included


 

The Miller Digital Elite TM Welding Helmet Review

I have been using the Miller Digital Elite welding helmet for about 6 months now with a total welding / grinding time of some 40 hours of use. 

The Miller Digital Elite™ Series helmets are ideally suited professionals and hobbyists who frequently switch between stick, MIG or TIG welding, do plasma cutting and/or spend time grinding or cutting steel too. It’s really 4 helmets in one. Versatility, weight and comfort are the features of this welding helmet that make it stand head and shoulders above every other welding helmet we have used.

The ability to keep this helmet comfortably on your head (extra padding at the front and back of the head bands) for hours on end are enough to make me spend the extra money. The viewing area is also generous, giving the welder excellent vision, especially when welding in odd positions, where a smaller viewing area will not work. The viewing area is not as large as an industrial welding helmet, but large enough to make a noticeable difference.  Further, the Miller Digital Elite welding helmet has a fast auto-darkening feature (1/20,000 of a second) and it at only 18 ounces you barely notice it on your noggin.

Miller Digital Elite Welding Helmet Review
Comfort
Weight
Protection
Auto-Darkening
Versatility
Viewing Area
Cost
Miller Digital Elite Welding Helmet Miller Digital Elite Welding Helmet
Miller Digital Elite Welding Helmet Miller Digital Elite Welding Helmet

The Verdict

Miller Digital Elite Welding HelmetThis is the finest welding helmet that has ever been atop my head (I have used a dozen or so different helmets over the years) and we can’t find a single thing that I could change about this helmet, in short I think I’m in love.

For an extra $50 or so, you will not only get an exceptionally well-built and comfortable welding helmet, but you get the flexibility for all types of metal working: MIG, TIG and Arc welding, metal grinding, metal cutting and much more. At roughly $275, the helmet is pricier than a typical auto-darkening helmet, but the cost-to-feature ratio is tipped in your favor and absolutely worth the money. Furthermore, what price can you put on your eyesight? Is it worth taking a chance with an el-cheapo welding helmet, when for a little extra cash you get piece of mind knowing that the quality of the Miller name is behind it? 

 

 

Miller Electric Mfg Co.

1635 West Spencer Street
Appleton, WI 54914
Phone: (920) 734-9821
Web: www.millerwelds.com

About Rick Webster

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