@@hyojinlim6444 I didn't try the Viking, but from all thr reviews I watched, the Optrel is certainly much better clarity, I tig weld indoors, as a hobby, that's why I didn't mind spending 400 American pesos, as I know i will not break it, if I worked in a shop, thr cheap price on the Viking makes it a safe bet
aerospace welder here. I log many hours a week behind the hood. I’ve had problems with my esab a50. two ADF’s die on me, esab replaced them thankfully. Damn thing still flashes me when working a low visibility/out of position joint. Imma buy the crystal 2 ASAP.
panno is great too. Cant go wrong with either.. For some reason I actally prefer the pannnnnooooomax a bit more even though the crystal 2.0 has a tad more clarity.
I just have a Hobart for $69 on clearance as my first helmet. It’s actually light comfortable and I like the features. My only real complaint is in light mode I have a pretty hard time seeing . I have to use a fall light to see what I’m doing sometimes especially in a lower lighting area. So I’m going to attach a headlamp to it till I can get something better. I may get that Optrel or the Esab looks ok but I’ll have to look into it more.
some complaint that the crystal 2.0 is brigth and cause eye strain even in 12 setting and when you use it wirh stick welding they experience some mild flashing
Jackson sucks. used to be a Jackson fan, but their clarity sucks very dark amber color its just ugly, the hood itself has minimal covering, meaning it doesn't cover my neck, side of my face, and ears., every hood i had a dark spot which is a crack, its heavy and their customer service is mediocre. broke up with them like a crazy ex gf. switched to Lincoln viking never looked back.
Sure a couple of reasons! The biggest is the support from Jackson is not very good on helmets. There is not a number you can call/email which makes warranties very challenging. Plus for us they are not very popular. However I will say people who love Jackson are loyal and replace with Jackson! haha
My Crystal 2.0 (which is awesome) crapped out after very little hobby use. Covered under warrantee with no hassle but i'm waiting over a month for the new cartridge and no word yet on when i'll get it. They seem to have plenty of lenses for new helmets so i'm a bit soured on Optrel
i can either buy a xxi filter and slap it in my current 9100 or get the sentinel or the panaramx dman i cant choose im kinda leaning towards the panoramax tho i wish the local welding supply store carried them so i could at least see it in person
I need a light helmet . Like the lightest on the market . I currently use the digital infinity . Heavy . Uncomfortable. Hood doesn’t say up when trying to do laywout or even just inspect my weld. Suggestions on lightest hood?
Lincoln Viking 4C and Jackson are the clearest I have ever worn, for looking through the gap when welding a pipe root, any other of the helmets fail my gap test. Most of them become blurry the futher you weld from the heat, or have a horrible lens flare, and worst of all double the welding puddle. If you just do simple stuff go ahead and buy what you like, if you do complicated stuff Viking or Jackson is your answer. I have tried every single and more of these helmets myself.
I mainly Tig weld. I've used Miller and Snap-On helmets for 8yrs now. Currently I've been using the ESAB A50 for about 2 years now and im really having a hard time seeing stainless or any steel for that matter. My coworker bought the Optrel Panoramaxx Light for the world helmet and I tried it out and could see tiging any type of steel so much better! I just ordered the Optrel Crystal 2.0 and am going to use that for my tiging hood! And the ESAB will be for the random times I need to mig. Thanks for the reviews on the helmets!
If you are in an industrial setting yes I would say the 9100XXi is worth the price. The Lincoln would work too but just not quite as robust as the Speedglas. We stock both and they ship for free. If you have other questions please let us know. bakersgas.com/products/3mspeedglasweldinghelmet-9100xxiautodarklens-06-0100-30isw bakersgas.com/products/lincoln-viking-3350-4c-matte-black-4th-gen-welding-helmet-k3034-4
Is it worth shelling out a few hundred more from 9100XX to 9100fx XX... I grind occasionally, I tried the 9100 for a week and I’m pleased how light and comfy it was.. is the added grind visor from Fx makes it uncomfortable to wear for hours? Any Fx owners out there also want to comment is appreciated. Tyty
The Miller Digital Elite or the Spedglas 9100XXi. The Miller has a better price point/value in our opinion. We do have both in stock. Let us know if you have any questions. www.bakersgas.com/MIL281000.html www.bakersgas.com/NAS711-06-0100-30iSW.html
Bakers gas is good but they push miller like faboys.... so biased... but I have the lincoln 3350 4c, esab sentinel, and miller digital infinity..... here is THE REAL BREAKDOWN!!.... 1ST PLACE- Lincoln 3350 4c, it is of much much better quality then those above and is the best one hands down easily of the 3 I own. Also the screen is from a visual point the CLEAREST and NICES view and due it it being taller is the BEST of awkward and out of line viewing and angles. Also it has longest batteries and cheapest of batteries to replace and is rated for overhead and lowest TIG rating. Also has the most comfortable head gear in the market today. Also the cheapest to change both inside and outside lenses. Also takes ANY battery as long as its appropriately sized. And automatic differential to outside work and sun light vs arc. Of all 3 I own and I've also used the speed glass and optrel a good bit.... the 3350 has the best picture and clarity and is the most Reliable day and night and day after day in all weather inside and out. My opinion the best welding hood on the market today hands down. 2nd place ESAB A50 sentinel - good low profile hood. Good clarity and easy to change outside lense. Life of battery charge is good... about 4 to 6 months between change. It is picky on batteries. Also the ADF is good but will blurr on overhead SMAW after hours of use everyday but UNLIKE MILLER it is overhead rated and the head gear is way more comfortable than miller. Also the eas of change on outside lense is good. The clarity is not as good as Lincoln 3350 4c but better than miller. This is a good hood but not worth the 299.00 its a 245 hood at best. 3rd Place MILLER DIGITAL INFINITY- where do I start..... miller fucked up with this hood..... 1.... the clarity is the worse of modern true color.... at only a 1/1/1/2 ... is has the annoying green tint and just really isn't clear... I find that this hood is just an average hood and only people who like it are those who haven't used modern tech or are just annoying miller fan boys " power of blue" - Chad with a monster energy drink.... the hood is heavy which isn't bad but the head gear is flimsy cheap garbage. The outside lenses are only made by miller which is stupid because its not a common size.... so good luck on a Sunday or oh sh** moment and you need a quick chnge.....oh did I mention the annoying green tint or God awful headgear..... I'm sure an abortion is more comfortable. Also....... the batteries.... if you wanna burn a hole in your wallet but this hood.... for one it only take Panasonic brand batteries anything else is just eats up like a crack head with a paycheck..... 2ns off the Panasonic batteries are the most expensive of the bunch and are harder to find. .... the outside lense covers are more expensive and are only made by miller which is stipid..... its expensive and not worth it by a long sho. Its a good average helmet at best. As far as heavy welding it is pure crap. Its not overhead rated!!! Like why even make it then..... oh its a welding hood but not fir real welding. .... basically its just an over priced crap helmet that is higher maintenance than my ex wife and a gold digger.... you literally get nothing better than my 1st and second place helmets.... its on par with a Vulcan from harbor freight. ..... now fancies or the Kyle's and head of welding will like it. But for welding overhead or heavy use this is garbage. Your basically paying fir a name with sub oar parts and this helmet just isn't worth it. I still use it time to time but its more of my loaner. My Lincoln 3350 4c is my everyday use and my esab is my back up. The miller collects dust and was a waste of money.
I bought the Millet Digital Infinity as my first welding hood. I had nothing but problems, but I was new to welding, so I figured it was something I was doing. I ended up having issues with the batteries and couldn't find the Panasonic replacements locally, so I used Energizer. Every time I go to use this dumb thing, the batteries are dead. I even tried the cheap batteries sold at Tractor Supply with the welding equipment. I ended up getting an Auto-Arc for free from Hobart, and this thing is far superior to the Miller, even though it only used to cost about 25% as much. The literal only good thing about the Miller is the x-mode.
I using the lincoln viking 3350 4c but It is too heavy and has too big shell. I usually do some pipe welding when I work there is a confined place so I can`t use my viking3350 ,I really want to use that optrel cystal2.0 but very expensive lol ,so I could not try that one
Yes the Crystal is expensive, but a very nice helmet. Have you checked out the Miller weld mask for the confined spaces? bakersgas.com/products/millerweld-maskauto-darkeninggoggles-267370
Hey guys, shop teacher. I need to get a classroom set of helmets (30). I want a helmet with a cutting shade mode. I need to stay under $200 each. Technically my district is only paying $150 each and I'm going to fundraiser the other cost. What kinda Ed pricing can you help me with, to make it happen?
My eyes ache inside after I weld. Not arc eye, but aching inside or back of the eyes. Wasn’t like this when I started welding several years ago. Now, every time. I’ve used different brands, different shades, different settings. Nothing helps. Any reason for this? Are the lenses really 100% safe? Something is getting thru. Doctors said eyes are fine. The aching can last several weeks from one welding session.
Christopher Valdés I have used Lincoln and Miller. Further research would lead me to believe that welding lenses do not block 100% of UV, IR, and harmful visible light(especially blue light). According to a transmittance requirements table I found, a shade 14 lens can still transmit .0001% UV and .3% IR radiation. Even shade 5 Oxy-acetylene goggles allow 2.5% of IR to pass thru the lens according to the transmittance chart. Research also shows that effects of optical radiation are cumulative, such as age related cataracts for example. So from what I can surmise, eye damage can occur over time even with recommend eye protection. This is all based on my own observations and research, and thousands weld daily without any reported issues, so at this point I can only state all of this as an opinion or theory.
@@artc281 I see. I have used the gold foil style plexi 11s for arc and gouging and for MIG I use 12s, both always passive. I stopped welding as a tradesman 18 years ago and just hobby weld once in a while. If you have pain in the back of your eyes, primarily, it may be the optic nerves aren't getting enough B vitamins. Try sublingual B12 with B6 and folic acid. Are you getting enough quality sleep?
There is the Panoramaxx CLT which is a crystal 2.0 version of the panoramaxx available and there is the Panoramaxx Quattro as well, I'd suggest looking these two up. :)
I have the 9100XX as I don't true the auto active mode as I used to work in a warehouse where forklifts would come in as in the UK they need to have a becon on it and every time it would flash my hood would darken the amount of times I have walked into somthing when it darkens out of the blue, speed glas most robust if you get the heatproof lense protects can't beat it
Good question! I have the panarmaxx I don't mind it sometimes I wish I got the Crystal although I never used a crystal. Id love to know what he thinks.
Pipeliner hood will last years, will take overhead welding all day long, lenses cost nearly nothing, and I guarantee you won't see one of the hoods shown here, outside, on a real job.
![TOP 5 Best Welding Helmet [ 2024 Buyer's Guide ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AeNnHCmZ_BQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I've got the Optrel Crystal 2.0
That thing is mad! The clarity is on a different level
have you tried Lincoln viking 3350? If you have used, which one is better?
@@hyojinlim6444 I didn't try the Viking, but from all thr reviews I watched, the Optrel is certainly much better clarity, I tig weld indoors, as a hobby, that's why I didn't mind spending 400 American pesos, as I know i will not break it, if I worked in a shop, thr cheap price on the Viking makes it a safe bet
@@Buddy-po4hv Thank you mate
Thank you Bakers Gas, but sadly I didn't get this one from you guys!
@@Buddy-po4hv my shop buys my hoods, so I tend to go pricey as I can. 🤣
aerospace welder here. I log many hours a week behind the hood. I’ve had problems with my esab a50. two ADF’s die on me, esab replaced them thankfully. Damn thing still flashes me when working a low visibility/out of position joint. Imma buy the crystal 2 ASAP.
panno is great too. Cant go wrong with either.. For some reason I actally prefer the pannnnnooooomax a bit more even though the crystal 2.0 has a tad more clarity.
I just have a Hobart for $69 on clearance as my first helmet. It’s actually light comfortable and I like the features. My only real complaint is in light mode I have a pretty hard time seeing . I have to use a fall light to see what I’m doing sometimes especially in a lower lighting area. So I’m going to attach a headlamp to it till I can get something better. I may get that Optrel or the Esab looks ok but I’ll have to look into it more.
Always GREAT Videos.
Thanks Andrew!
some complaint that the crystal 2.0 is brigth and cause eye strain even in 12 setting and when you use it wirh stick welding they experience some mild flashing
How does the Sentinel hold up to overhead stick welding?
What about the Miller T94 series?
Curious as to why you don't cover the Jackson True sight?
Jackson sucks. used to be a Jackson fan, but their clarity sucks very dark amber color its just ugly, the hood itself has minimal covering, meaning it doesn't cover my neck, side of my face, and ears., every hood i had a dark spot which is a crack, its heavy and their customer service is mediocre. broke up with them like a crazy ex gf. switched to Lincoln viking never looked back.
Sure a couple of reasons! The biggest is the support from Jackson is not very good on helmets. There is not a number you can call/email which makes warranties very challenging. Plus for us they are not very popular. However I will say people who love Jackson are loyal and replace with Jackson! haha
Is this optrel worth it compared to the Lincoln hood ? for home use. mig ,tig , and some stick.
My Crystal 2.0 (which is awesome) crapped out after very little hobby use. Covered under warrantee with no hassle but i'm waiting over a month for the new cartridge and no word yet on when i'll get it. They seem to have plenty of lenses for new helmets so i'm a bit soured on Optrel
Hey! Sorry to hear that email us and we will see if we can help!
Cant beat the HF Vulcan for value and it performs perfectly well for all applications.
idk man i have this old kobalt helmet that was like 100 bucks and it kills helmets under 250 bucks.
i can either buy a xxi filter and slap it in my current 9100 or get the sentinel or the panaramx dman i cant choose im kinda leaning towards the panoramax tho i wish the local welding supply store carried them so i could at least see it in person
I need a light helmet . Like the lightest on the market . I currently use the digital infinity . Heavy . Uncomfortable. Hood doesn’t say up when trying to do laywout or even just inspect my weld. Suggestions on lightest hood?
Pancake or old school sugar scoop helmet.
Fibre metal "FUTURA" with the flip up lens. Lightest hood ever.
The top one is on the top 😉
I just bought the 3350 from you guys how do I get the mail in rebate??
Hi. I need one , what to choose Miller t94 or 3M speedglas? Mainly stick welding 🤔
T94 is much heavier and 3m has much more comfortable head gear
Miller infinity is too heavy. Don't buy it. Your head will thank you
I got Viking. Looks good headgear looks good but I think isn’t the best. Just need to check more
Lincoln Viking 4C and Jackson are the clearest I have ever worn, for looking through the gap when welding a pipe root, any other of the helmets fail my gap test. Most of them become blurry the futher you weld from the heat, or have a horrible lens flare, and worst of all double the welding puddle. If you just do simple stuff go ahead and buy what you like, if you do complicated stuff Viking or Jackson is your answer. I have tried every single and more of these helmets myself.
Also Jackson is a bit bright, along with 2.0, my #1 pick is the Viking with 4C technology.
Panoramaxx vs fronius connect. Which is better?
I mainly Tig weld. I've used Miller and Snap-On helmets for 8yrs now. Currently I've been using the ESAB A50 for about 2 years now and im really having a hard time seeing stainless or any steel for that matter. My coworker bought the Optrel Panoramaxx Light for the world helmet and I tried it out and could see tiging any type of steel so much better! I just ordered the Optrel Crystal 2.0 and am going to use that for my tiging hood! And the ESAB will be for the random times I need to mig.
Thanks for the reviews on the helmets!
So would you recommend the Optrel Panoramaxx over the ESAB A50?
So would u say the speedglas is worth the extra cost over the Lincoln Viking?
If you are in an industrial setting yes I would say the 9100XXi is worth the price. The Lincoln would work too but just not quite as robust as the Speedglas. We stock both and they ship for free. If you have other questions please let us know.
bakersgas.com/products/3mspeedglasweldinghelmet-9100xxiautodarklens-06-0100-30isw
bakersgas.com/products/lincoln-viking-3350-4c-matte-black-4th-gen-welding-helmet-k3034-4
Yes it is a really nice helmet.
I have both and the speedglas has better color and visibility..
Is it worth shelling out a few hundred more from 9100XX to 9100fx XX... I grind occasionally, I tried the 9100 for a week and I’m pleased how light and comfy it was.. is the added grind visor from Fx makes it uncomfortable to wear for hours? Any Fx owners out there also want to comment is appreciated. Tyty
The grind shield does add a bit of weight. If you like that clear option integrated it makes sense.
I repair railroad cars what would you say the best true color plus durability hood would be ?
The Miller Digital Elite or the Spedglas 9100XXi. The Miller has a better price point/value in our opinion. We do have both in stock. Let us know if you have any questions.
www.bakersgas.com/MIL281000.html
www.bakersgas.com/NAS711-06-0100-30iSW.html
Tyler I weld on the tracks. Looked through alot of hoods lately and used some of the top manufacturers, Lincoln Viking 3350 is my choice
Bakers gas is good but they push miller like faboys.... so biased... but I have the lincoln 3350 4c, esab sentinel, and miller digital infinity..... here is THE REAL BREAKDOWN!!....
1ST PLACE- Lincoln 3350 4c, it is of much much better quality then those above and is the best one hands down easily of the 3 I own. Also the screen is from a visual point the CLEAREST and NICES view and due it it being taller is the BEST of awkward and out of line viewing and angles. Also it has longest batteries and cheapest of batteries to replace and is rated for overhead and lowest TIG rating. Also has the most comfortable head gear in the market today. Also the cheapest to change both inside and outside lenses. Also takes ANY battery as long as its appropriately sized. And automatic differential to outside work and sun light vs arc. Of all 3 I own and I've also used the speed glass and optrel a good bit.... the 3350 has the best picture and clarity and is the most Reliable day and night and day after day in all weather inside and out. My opinion the best welding hood on the market today hands down.
2nd place ESAB A50 sentinel - good low profile hood. Good clarity and easy to change outside lense. Life of battery charge is good... about 4 to 6 months between change. It is picky on batteries. Also the ADF is good but will blurr on overhead SMAW after hours of use everyday but UNLIKE MILLER it is overhead rated and the head gear is way more comfortable than miller. Also the eas of change on outside lense is good. The clarity is not as good as Lincoln 3350 4c but better than miller. This is a good hood but not worth the 299.00 its a 245 hood at best.
3rd Place MILLER DIGITAL INFINITY- where do I start..... miller fucked up with this hood..... 1.... the clarity is the worse of modern true color.... at only a 1/1/1/2 ... is has the annoying green tint and just really isn't clear... I find that this hood is just an average hood and only people who like it are those who haven't used modern tech or are just annoying miller fan boys " power of blue" - Chad with a monster energy drink.... the hood is heavy which isn't bad but the head gear is flimsy cheap garbage. The outside lenses are only made by miller which is stupid because its not a common size.... so good luck on a Sunday or oh sh** moment and you need a quick chnge.....oh did I mention the annoying green tint or God awful headgear..... I'm sure an abortion is more comfortable. Also....... the batteries.... if you wanna burn a hole in your wallet but this hood.... for one it only take Panasonic brand batteries anything else is just eats up like a crack head with a paycheck..... 2ns off the Panasonic batteries are the most expensive of the bunch and are harder to find. .... the outside lense covers are more expensive and are only made by miller which is stipid..... its expensive and not worth it by a long sho. Its a good average helmet at best. As far as heavy welding it is pure crap. Its not overhead rated!!! Like why even make it then..... oh its a welding hood but not fir real welding. .... basically its just an over priced crap helmet that is higher maintenance than my ex wife and a gold digger.... you literally get nothing better than my 1st and second place helmets.... its on par with a Vulcan from harbor freight. ..... now fancies or the Kyle's and head of welding will like it. But for welding overhead or heavy use this is garbage. Your basically paying fir a name with sub oar parts and this helmet just isn't worth it. I still use it time to time but its more of my loaner. My Lincoln 3350 4c is my everyday use and my esab is my back up. The miller collects dust and was a waste of money.
Have you used any of the oprel helmets? Is the 3550 4c still your top pick?
I bought the Millet Digital Infinity as my first welding hood. I had nothing but problems, but I was new to welding, so I figured it was something I was doing.
I ended up having issues with the batteries and couldn't find the Panasonic replacements locally, so I used Energizer. Every time I go to use this dumb thing, the batteries are dead. I even tried the cheap batteries sold at Tractor Supply with the welding equipment.
I ended up getting an Auto-Arc for free from Hobart, and this thing is far superior to the Miller, even though it only used to cost about 25% as much.
The literal only good thing about the Miller is the x-mode.
I using the lincoln viking 3350 4c but It is too heavy and has too big shell. I usually do some pipe welding when I work there is a confined place
so I can`t use my viking3350 ,I really want to use that optrel cystal2.0 but very expensive lol ,so I could not try that one
Yes the Crystal is expensive, but a very nice helmet. Have you checked out the Miller weld mask for the confined spaces? bakersgas.com/products/millerweld-maskauto-darkeninggoggles-267370
Hey guys, shop teacher. I need to get a classroom set of helmets (30). I want a helmet with a cutting shade mode. I need to stay under $200 each. Technically my district is only paying $150 each and I'm going to fundraiser the other cost. What kinda Ed pricing can you help me with, to make it happen?
Hi Jared- yes we would be happy to help! Please call me today and I can go over some options.
If you really want to help your students don't buy any auto darkeners. Get cheap Jackson's with the flip up front lens
My eyes ache inside after I weld. Not arc eye, but aching inside or back of the eyes. Wasn’t like this when I started welding several years ago. Now, every time. I’ve used different brands, different shades, different settings. Nothing helps. Any reason for this? Are the lenses really 100% safe? Something is getting thru. Doctors said eyes are fine. The aching can last several weeks from one welding session.
The arc light that goes behind your helmet. Still fucks with your sight. Rivet some leather around the edge to block out the light.
What kind of welding helmet did you use several years ago? Was it a passive hood? It could be the slight reaction time of the auto shades.
Christopher Valdés I have used Lincoln and Miller. Further research would lead me to believe that welding lenses do not block 100% of UV, IR, and harmful visible light(especially blue light). According to a transmittance requirements table I found, a shade 14 lens can still transmit .0001% UV and .3% IR radiation. Even shade 5 Oxy-acetylene goggles allow 2.5% of IR to pass thru the lens according to the transmittance chart. Research also shows that effects of optical radiation are cumulative, such as age related cataracts for example. So from what I can surmise, eye damage can occur over time even with recommend eye protection. This is all based on my own observations and research, and thousands weld daily without any reported issues, so at this point I can only state all of this as an opinion or theory.
@@artc281 I see. I have used the gold foil style plexi 11s for arc and gouging and for MIG I use 12s, both always passive. I stopped welding as a tradesman 18 years ago and just hobby weld once in a while. If you have pain in the back of your eyes, primarily, it may be the optic nerves aren't getting enough B vitamins. Try sublingual B12 with B6 and folic acid. Are you getting enough quality sleep?
Christopher Valdés Everything else is normal. Only happens from welding.
I found the miller helmet to be so cheap quality wise it feels so loose and cheap but the clarity is pretty good
I would get the crystal 2.0 if it had the panoramaxx view, shade 13, and better head gear
There is the Panoramaxx CLT which is a crystal 2.0 version of the panoramaxx available and there is the Panoramaxx Quattro as well, I'd suggest looking these two up. :)
I have the 9100XX as I don't true the auto active mode as I used to work in a warehouse where forklifts would come in as in the UK they need to have a becon on it and every time it would flash my hood would darken the amount of times I have walked into somthing when it darkens out of the blue, speed glas most robust if you get the heatproof lense protects can't beat it
Do you prefer crystal 2.0 or panoramax ?
Good question! I have the panarmaxx I don't mind it sometimes I wish I got the Crystal although I never used a crystal. Id love to know what he thinks.
A Viking 3350 was under $200? things are almost $400 now.
Can I get the viking 3350 for that price today man that's a deal
Practical video
I have done reviews for all the top brands and been welding for over 25 years.
What about the Yeswelder hoods on Amazon ?
Optrel Crystal is... see my review.
Where is your review?
Pipeliner hood will last years, will take overhead welding all day long, lenses cost nearly nothing, and I guarantee you won't see one of the hoods shown here, outside, on a real job.
Welding Helmet! Welding Helmet! not hood.
No it's hood.
There are all way over priced. B/S BIG MONEY