Hey Chickweldor,
I missed your post and just found it so had to reply. Not sure if you've picked up a digital elite yet but if not here is my take.
I bought one last year? Think it was last year, anyhow. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the digital elite!! I have done all position welding with 7018, 6010, wire welded, tig welded, sideways welded, upside down welded and more. I picked up a 3m speedglas hood a few months ago. I wanted to try it out. It was WAY higher than the digital elite and with my cost at the supply house was just about more than I wanted to spend but had to try. The speedglas is alright, does not have a grind function and lacks several things that the Miller has. I'm actually considering selling this speedglas so I can buy another Miller. I'm not a big Miller guy but they hit it out of the park with the digital elite. The head gear is solid, it has the extra pad for the back of the head. The speedglas head gear, well, plain and simple it sucks big time. Flimsy, wobbly and just pretty poor considering its a $400+ hood.
When you turn on the hood, push the button for a second or two and it's on. It stays on for awhile, not sure how long it stays on but it won't go off in minutes. I think it's just about the best hood going, but that's just me!