I just picked up my $280 Optrel Satellite welding helmet today and have completed my first few welds.





OH

MY

GOODNESS






This thing is worth every single penny. I know it's expensive for a hobbyist, and I would never have bought it if I didn't weld pretty much every day. But if you're a person who just wants the best, this is highly recommended. The controls are nice and clear, the headband is comfortable, and the lightened image is really easy to see and the darkened image is nice and even. I've had problems with other auto-darkening helmets being "splochy" where some parts of the screen seems darker than other parts. This one isn't like that. I can clearly see my weld puddle and my welding is even improved because I can really see what I'm doing. One of those situations where I didn't realize how bad things were with the other helmets.

I'm excited, so I just had to share.

I bought a 300.00 helmet 8 years ago, and never looked back,

And mine is heavy by todays standards, but has held up well.
Welded the first 50 " Coinstar" machine frames with it. (they count your change and give you a credit slip and of course take a percentage.)
Great Purchase

I love my Optrel fairly tough too, the only complaint I have is that the lens covers are unique, thus $$$ Not a big deal for a hobbiest, but when I was using it every day, kinda expensive. If you only do sheet metal, it wouldn't need to be replaced very often at all. At 200+ amps, every couple days.

Way to go!


KT