Welding helmet

If you want an honest opinion, i hate auto darkening helmets.
I am a journeyman welder and have tried several brands from big bucks to the cheaper than cheap.
They are only good for tacking in tight places like roll cages in my opinion, and at that i always seem to get a light flash when the arc is initially started.
Maybe it's me, but every time i use one for any period of time, i get headaches and a bit of eye strain.
Also, the dial that represents the shade always seems too light for me.
I use a #11 for most things, and the #11 setting always seems a little light on auto darkening helmets.
I was using one that a friend of mine had in his shop, and thought i was losing my skills because i couldn't see the puddle when i welded. Then i switched to my ''old school'' helmet and it was night and day.
For what it's worth, i use a Fiber-Metal ''Tigerhood'' with the big lenses and that works the best for me.
Do what works for you, i like ''old school''.
Tom.