You need the best headgear you can afford, stretch your budget if you can. Without eyes, you can't weld. I ended up getting the Miller Big Window Elite. $380.00 Canadian (tax included). Great helmet. Consider weight an issue as clunky, cheap helmets might weigh more causing unnessesary neck strain. For eg. the BWE is 18 oz. not noticable and I weld aluminum 8-10 hrs a day. Also consider air filters if you are in a poorly ventilated area, etc, will they fit under your helmet?
Take care and good luck.
I've done some testing of the major players, and my first three are, Miller big window elite, Optrel satalite, and Hornel speedglas. Each has a specific feature that is better on certain things, The speedglas is the lightest and most flexible shell, The Big window has 4 sensors so in out of position work your chances of being flashed is nearly zero, The satalite has a one touch grind feature that is really nice.
I have a degenerating disc in my neck and the light weight hood is truely easier on the neck, so the speedglas is my first choice, your needs may require a different choice.
pjs