Lincoln Electric VIKING 3350 Code Red Welding Helmet

I did a lot of research, and results indicate from reviews to not even think about other auto-darkening helmets - and for this helmet, those reviews are spot on (correct). Stay away from Harbor-Freight, YesWelder, even Miller Digital Elite 2.0, etc. I'm not stating this Lincoln is better than Miller Digital Elite 2.0, but rather for the weekend DiYer, this is your go-to helmet for Flux-Core, MiG, etc.As soon as I opened the box, I set the shade to 10 (for thin sheet metal flux core), and set the lag-time for becoming clear (after the arc distinguishes) to short "S", and went to the garage and fired up the new Lincoln 90-iFC flux core welder (110 Volts AC).Before I struck the arc, the lens was very clear. Once I struck an arc, the lens auto-darkened within 1/25,000 seconds, which is 200 times faster than the human "look away" reflex time when accidentally looking at the sun (1/125 second). The look-away reflex is a natural response built into the eye (central nervous system) from preventing retinal burns and burning the eyes out from bright lights.Amazingly, the arc appears very small and is not inflated like cheap lenses will do. The diameter of the visible arc during flux core (0.035 Lincoln flux wire) on 1/8" steel was about 1/8", so very small. As a result I could run a small bead like a micro-surgeon. The color of the arc is a blue-white color, and the small molten bead looks like liquid mercury, so there's no messing up on whether the bead is gluing together both side of the lap or butt being welded.The helmet's very comfortable when tightened around my head with a Lincoln do-rag on - yes, you need a do-rag for flux core, since it's spatter on steroids - everywhere. Be sure to wear long sleeve shirts - no matter how hot it is outside, as well as pants, and full suede gloves. The bright arc releases a lot of UV, which has proven to be a strong carcinogen - we're talking BCC (basal cell carcinomas) and other skin melanomas. Basically, the skin cancers that result in a horrible death - so don't be a fool.

This is exactly what it claimed to be top notch welding helmet. It is comfortable and really has some flexibility in adjustment. The darkening is instant and the adjustable darkness works excellent and is a weld saver. I love this thing!

GREAT

I normally break my helmets. I was looking for one with a head harness that wasn't made of plastic this time, and although this one is made of plastic, it hasn't broken in the usual spots that my other ones have. I used to have a yeswelder helmet which had just as good a viewport as this one, but numerous pieces of plastic broke off, like the locking mechanism for rotating the helmet up or down, and the little things that the headband locks onto. This helmet is really expensive but its nice to not have the helmet resting on my nose when i weld overhead, and one that locks its rotation really well. Also its not a big deal, but I was sent a standard black helmet instead of the code red paint job. I don't really care about that, I think at the time of my purchase the code red was cheaper than the black anyways, but still if you want a specific color, that'd be annoying to go through the return process for.

I’m in love with this helmet/mask. Can see my welds so much clearer with the big lens and true blue color. Straps are comfy for long use, the mask holds and adjusts flipped up, and it’s sexy looking. So glad I chose this one.

this is a great helmet. changes to the dark color when light from torch so it doesn't blind you.shipping was early by 2 days.. great

The helmet is very comfortable and the view is clear. The sensitivity is really sharp and easy to adjust.

Comfortable,large veiwing window