[Robad]

Originally Posted by sactocruiser

The HF one seems like a deal, but I just can't get past I'm trusting my vision to the people that sell the rest of the cheap stuff they carry. It's prob. fine though.

It's your vision but flash burns suck.

I use a Fibre-Metal auto darkening helmet and love it. Expensive but worth it to me. 3M (Hornell) also makes very high quality ADF "Auto Darkening Filter" welding helmets. All ADF helmets will darken within a few miliseconds, the real difference is in the time it takes to go back to the light state after the arc goes out.
Another important factor, and the one that makes a good helmet more expensive, is the optical clarity of the lens. The better the clarity of the lens the easier it is to see your weld pool.
You should also consider the ease of obtaining replacement parts for the welding helmet you buy; things like coverplates, headgear, sweatbands, etc.

Rob