I've got one in the shop collecting dust. Before I got bifocals I used it alot. It was tiring on the jaw to use it 8 to 10 hours per day, but it was nice to be able to raise the lens without moving your hands. The bifocals demand a 4x5 lens. Tilt the head too far and the focus is screwed up with the small welding lens. The Cherokee lens, if I remember correctly, is 4" wide by 3.5" long. The large lens 4x5 gives me more leaway.
Hey! I've got a nice welding shield and two boxes of lens for sale.
I use one exclusively for TIG because the inverters wouldn't reliably trigger the auto helmet I had. I guess the new auto helmets do better, but I like the chin-operated hood. Works as advertised. Scott.
I've been using one for TIG for about a year. It works well for me. I wear "progressive" rather than bifocals AND I put a mag. lens in the helmet. That way I can use the lens with or without my glasses should the need arise. Much seems to depend upon how my progressive glasses are adjusted/maladjusted at the time!
Given that I don't weld all day, the unit was a better economical choice than a high quality auto darkening. It is a bit heavier than other helmets and yawning or gum chewing can certainly increase brightness in a hurry! Overall, I am very satisfied with it.
Ken