Welding Tips and Tricks

Just bought an Optrel E684. Gonna bash it all next week in all positions. Let you know what I think then.


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OK, bashed it all week and ready to spill the beans.

Firstly I would like to say to say that I have used a number of auto helmets, cheapies and very expensive and I have a very low opinion of all of them. Poor clarity, poor head gear, heavy cumbersome shields etc.

My go to shield is a $25 bucket helmet fitted with a No.10 green glass lense and glass cheater (you know, for the problem lamps). Clarity is the best and the helmet is light and therefore stays on my head in all positions (which I unfortunately find myself in regularly). Beats the pants off all auto helmets I've used in the past.

So I've used the Optrel E684 solidly all week on the bench, and in the field in all positions including lying sideways, head tilted down 45 degrees and varied light conditions. The head gear was easy to adjust to the right place and the helmet stayed on my head in all positions, did not even slide a little. Thumbs up for this.

The helmet was fitted with a genuine Optrel cheater as it has a step in the ends that allows it to slide into position. Standard cheater won't fit. The genuine cheater costs $50 and is plastic (not glass). I found the clarity equal to my $25 bucket rig which is the first time an auto helmet has even come close. Used it in auto and manual modes, both worked very well. Clarity remained excellent in all types of light. In the shop I had to make sensitivity adjustments to stop flickering due to fluro lights. The cheater comes with a narrow piece of plastic which apparently slides into place along the top edge of the cheater to hold it in place or seal it somehow. It stays in place about 2 seconds so I chucked it back in the box, useless.

The helmet is very light, no fatigue issues.

i didn't use the grind mode at all. Wasn't going to damage the expensive shield with grinding sparks.

The only issue I have with the helmet is that I feel it is a little short in protecting the neck. Another inch would have seen a perfect score. And of course a couple hundred bucks off the price would have been welcome.

I give it a 9/10. Very happy with it. Would I buy it again? Not when I can get the same clarity form a $25 rig. But it was sure nice to have for some of the out of position work.

Coldman, I bought this helmet about 6 months ago and have been looking forward to your review after reading your first post.

I like it better then the Miller Digital Infinity which I have, not that it was the pinnacle of hoods. Was disappointed to find it (the Optrel) didn't accept standard mag lens, but I wear readers while welding so not a big deal for me. Like the clarity and operation of the hood, would recommend and buy it again.