Thanks for the info on my previous post... I contacted miller about the Hobart XL hood being brighter around the parameter. They recommended the XLix series.. In the mean time I went shopping around and found that the Speedglas 9000V also does not share this problem.. What should I do? What is the best: Hobart XLix, Speedglas 9000V, or the Speedglas 9000X as far as being uniformly dark....and a good hood...