Helmet for £100?

[duncans]

I recently wanted a new helmet and was looking to spend ~£100 like you, ended up with an A50 and it is really comfy and simply works, you soon forget you are even wearing it!
Touch screen while a bit unnecessary is fine to use, external grind button is very nice if you need to "adjust" some welds
Comes with spare protective lenses and they are not expensive to replace.
The shape does mean the outer cover will likely get scratched but the ergonomics probably outweigh this unless you drag it around upside down lots!

as long as your aware of the lens scratches easily then you are more careful at least I can see what im doing now not like the old parweld one i was lent

 

[hooblah]

Hmm lots to think about. I think i've ruled out the optrel weldcap.

Is the A40 as comfortable as the A50?

Also i've read something solar powered vs battery powered? I thought they were all solar powered?

 

[duncans]

the A50 is well comfy I forgot to mention as soon as you stick it on your head feels great not like the parweld one it used to trap my bloody ears didn't half hurt hahaha

 

[Munkul]

Hmm lots to think about. I think i've ruled out the optrel weldcap.

Is the A40 as comfortable as the A50?

Also i've read something solar powered vs battery powered? I thought they were all solar powered?

I haven't tried the A40 but the older Warrior was really quite comfy for a "standard" type headband.

Nothing beats the comfort of an A50, though. The "Halo" headgear is just superb. I should know... I did 5 hours with one on almost continuously last night

 

[Chris Snow]

Also i've read something solar powered vs battery powered? I thought they were all solar powered?

They're usually both. Solar primarily so long as its bright enough.

I have read about the A50 draining batteries but I've not had mine long enough to know.

I have noticed it uses an accelerometer or similar to wake from sleep to save battery so i imagine it wouldn't cope well in a vehicle.

The manual does say to remove the batteries for extended storage.

 

[hooblah]

Here's a new one to add to the mix - Optrel P550 neo. I can't find much info about it on forums or YouTube. Is it new to the market? Seems to be selling for £150-200.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Here's a new one to add to the mix - Optrel P550 neo. I can't find much info about it on forums or YouTube. Is it new to the market? Seems to be selling for £150-200.

Nope, been around for ages. Good little helmet for the money, proper sturdy shell and a very clear lens.

 

[hooblah]

Nope, been around for ages. Good little helmet for the money, proper sturdy shell and a very clear lens.

Thanks Tom. How do you think it compares to others mentioned in this thread?

 

[Munkul]

Thanks Tom. How do you think it compares to others mentioned in this thread?

I tried one on, didn't like it. Esab and 3M do better hoods for similar money, maybe a little more.

By the way, the sentinels do drain your batteries - probably take 2 months from brand new to utterly dead. If you leave it say more than 2 weeks between jobs you're better to pop the batteries out between jobs. It's a pain, I know, but it's not a problem with regular use. I actually use rechargables, so if I forget to take em out, I pop some more in and recharge the dead ones.