Are you able to see through an auto darkening welding helmet before you weld?

Absolutely yes! I got one for my brother-in-law (a Jackson brand, I think) and it was quite clear until the arc welding started. It would also darken down when looking at the sun (for an eclipse).

REALLY nice if you weld with a stick as getting that first arc started is awkward when looking through a permanently darkened lens.

With hoods you get what you pay for. You bypass low cost and also you get low cost. i'd want to bypass for a acceptance form hood which will very very last fairly of shopping for for a set of low priced hoods. i take advantage Speedglas and regardless of the reality which have the first one i purchased 25 years contained in the previous and it regardless of the reality that works almost as good as my new one. Why did i purchase a sparkling one? because the nice and cozy ones had extra useful thoughts than the former one did yet I regardless of the reality which will grab the former one ever each and every from time to time to save it operating.

yes,it darkens in micro seconds

Yes, but i would not go for the cheapest one on the market.

yes

yes

Yes you can, and that depend on what setting of sensitivity you use.

NO