Review Optrel Crystal 2.0

[Hood]

Its ok I found out how to do it just after I posted

If, before you choose to record, you disable the flash then it will not operate in video mode. Once in video mode there is no way to disable the flash so it has to be done before.

 

[HotRodTom]

I’ve just started using one of these crystal 2 masks! I have always used your average hobby welding mask! This is unreal. Love it. Even the grind function little press button is a game changer I always used to switch mask for grinding Even though the other mask had grind functions. Just so easy

However. I don’t really fancy being under a car bashing it about with rust repair. It’s doing ok on the bench welding at the moment. The air fed one looks good too!

 

[Hood]

I’ve just started using one of these crystal 2 masks! I have always used your average hobby welding mask! This is unreal. Love it. Even the grind function little press button is a game changer I always used to switch mask for grinding Even though the other mask had grind functions. Just so easy

However. I don’t really fancy being under a car bashing it about with rust repair. It’s doing ok on the bench welding at the moment. The air fed one looks good too!

They are very sturdy, mine gets serious abuse working in and around fishing boats.

 

[HotRodTom]

To be fair, it seemed strong and also a little flexible so don’t seem like it would crack. But impressed And like it!

 

[Hood]

Mine has fallen a couple of times, once was from about 30ft up onto the concrete slipway and no damage except for a scratch to the paint. Maybe I was just lucky but I reckon because they are so light and very flexible with the added protection of the front lens that they are pretty robust.

 

[fizzy]

Mine has fallen a couple of times, once was from about 30ft up onto the concrete slipway and no damage except for a scratch to the paint. Maybe I was just lucky but I reckon because they are so light and very flexible with the added protection of the front lens that they are pretty robust.

I know it's an awesome mask and everything but I was a little bit surprised to see the knobs and switchgear on the side are identical to my Optrel Satellite which is about 20 years old

 

[Hood]

I think they are similar but does the Satellite have Auto mode?

 

[Shox Dr]

I know it's an awesome mask and everything but I was a little bit surprised to see the knobs and switchgear on the side are identical to my Optrel Satellite which is about 20 years old

So are the lens, headband, shield. In fact everything bar the clever bits. If it ain't broke don’t try to fix it

 

[fizzy]

I think they are similar but does the Satellite have Auto mode?

No just a tiny green window
I thought it was awesome when I had it! probably was in it's day but the technology has changed a tad!

 

[Hood]

No just a tiny green window
I thought it was awesome when I had it! probably was in it's day but the technology has changed a tad!

It certainly has and the Auto mode is one of the great things, set it to On, adjust if required then never touch again no matter whether it is 30 amp Tig or 300Amp Mig, always the perfect shade

 

[Bill Edwards]

When I got both my Vegaview and Panoramaxx I tried to look after them and avoid using them for the nasty work where they get knocked and dropped, as they were such nice masks and also very expensive!

It didn't last long, and a farm workshop isn't a great place when it comes to looking after the helmet nor is outside in cattle yards. They've each had a good share of beatings and being dropped/knocked off their perch despite my best efforts. Must have used each one for a couple of years now I would think, the Vegaview never gave any trouble, the Panoramaxx developed a bad ADF and got replaced under warranty and it has gone again, this time it could be due to all the rough treatment or it might be another faulty ADF - still works, but has black spots.

The outer shells develop minor scratches but so far have never been damaged, I'd say they're pretty tough.

 

[Jim Davey]

Don’t forget Optrel give a 24 month warranty as standard, extendable to 36 month if you register the product online.
Just thought that was worth a mention.

 

[Munkul]

It certainly has and the Auto mode is one of the great things, set it to On, adjust if required then never touch again no matter whether it is 30 amp Tig or 300Amp Mig, always the perfect shade

This is something that I wish I had now - getting sick of turning the shade down for plasma cutting and forgetting to turn it back up

 

[George Erasmus]

Saw these a while back when they first came out from a Rapid welding newsletter, looked interesting. I got an Esab Origo Tech helmet with a Oxford Tig welder I bought from someone, biggest hassle for me a newby welder so far is just seeing the weld even on the lowest setting shade 9 I am struggling, or maybe it is just user operator error.

I am a newby hobby welder and could not justify the layout, but a couple of weeks ago sold some stuff on fleebay, and I had a bit of cash and saw the Optrel Crystal 2 on Fleebay came with a back pack two front lenses and one internal spare lens for £415, so pulled the trigger as I had my second personal project coming, I am no expert but the difference is night and day. I can see the weld area clearly like I know that is where I need to keep the Mig, with the Esab Origo Tech helmet I would drift off the seem, but with the Optrel Crystal 2 helmet I can see the seem, and keep the weld going straight and I don't want to sound like bragging but boy it did wonders for welds.

One other thing I noticed is that the glare from the internal screen from my neon light in the Optrel I don'y notice it at all whereas with the Esab the glare can sometimes cause me to loose sight of what I do probably just the way the helmet is shaped better to block external light.

Like any expensive new toy you take special care of it but on the second day I dropped it from about 2 meters now it's got a couple of scratches so now it is just another tool in the shed but a sharp tool, if you are a pro welder I suspect this will be sharp tool in the shed, and if you are a hobby welder it will transform your welding to a different dimension

 

[Shox Dr]

Nice one George, its bad enough trying to learn a new skill without doing it blindfolded. And the better you get you still need to see.

Yes they expensive. But if you look after it they last, I’ve still got my first Optrel satellite, its 10+yrs and still going strong.

 

[fizzy]

Saw these a while back when they first came out from a Rapid welding newsletter, looked interesting. I got an Esab Origo Tech helmet with a Oxford Tig welder I bought from someone, biggest hassle for me a newby welder so far is just seeing the weld even on the lowest setting shade 9 I am struggling, or maybe it is just user operator error.

I am a newby hobby welder and could not justify the layout, but a couple of weeks ago sold some stuff on fleebay, and I had a bit of cash and saw the Optrel Crystal 2 on Fleebay came with a back pack two front lenses and one internal spare lens for £415, so pulled the trigger as I had my second personal project coming, I am no expert but the difference is night and day. I can see the weld area clearly like I know that is where I need to keep the Mig, with the Esab Origo Tech helmet I would drift off the seem, but with the Optrel Crystal 2 helmet I can see the seem, and keep the weld going straight and I don't want to sound like bragging but boy it did wonders for welds.

One other thing I noticed is that the glare from the internal screen from my neon light in the Optrel I don'y notice it at all whereas with the Esab the glare can sometimes cause me to loose sight of what I do probably just the way the helmet is shaped better to block external light.

Like any expensive new toy you take special care of it but on the second day I dropped it from about 2 meters now it's got a couple of scratches so now it is just another tool in the shed but a sharp tool, if you are a pro welder I suspect this will be sharp tool in the shed, and if you are a hobby welder it will transform your welding to a different dimension

I agree - for a newbie it can make all the difference.
I am still amazed by the experts who just use a flip lid and get perfect results. I can but dream at that

 

[George Erasmus]

I agree - for a newbie it can make all the difference.
I am still amazed by the experts who just use a flip lid and get perfect results. I can but dream at that

I do admire their skill-set even with this expensive helmet I will never get to that level

 

[Beatroot]

code URCHFAB is still working if you order through inverter fusion

 

[Ruffian]

Can someone with a manual tell me what battery s these take??

I have a e364 or whatever numbers they are and suspect they use the same.

 

[Hood]

Think they are 2032 but will see if I have a manual from one of mine here.