Optrel Crystal 2 alternative

[Bill Edwards]

Well going from a £30 helmet to a high end Optrel is going to be quite a change!
I'm sure you won't regret it.

 

[northwest]

If you had bought anything else, in a couple of weeks you would have bought the Crystal as that is what you had set your heart on, so this is the best decision. Personally I have the Esab Sentinel as I balanced use/cost/features and that's what worked for me.

I do have this nagging doubt in my head though, should I have bought the Crystal.........

 

[Munkul]

Esab sentinel

This!
It's half the price of the Crystal, and 99% of the lens performance. With the most ergonomic hood/headgear ever made .

They are seriously good lenses. They come with a few spare amber and clear outer screens, and with the clear outer screen it has a very light undarkened state.

I have two of them, a standard and a PAPR one, that's how much i like them.

 

[anjum]

I haven't managed to accurately capture an arc shot through the Crystal because the phones camera auto adjusts to what it thinks it should be and it is not true to life.
I have however held the camera inside the Crystal and shown what it looks in the light state and that is in the video below.

What's the small square aluminium tank in your video
I've got one very similar but don't know what to use it for

 

[Hood]

That was an early water cooler I made for the Tig.

 

[anjum]

Thanks still don't know what to do with it. I'll just let it sit till I think of something
My arcone 5000vi has just failed so I'm back to using.the cheapie I bought
Not sure my welding would benefit or deserves any better

 

[mtt.tr]

This is a £60 mask just with my mobile looking through.

Without mask


Through lens

 

[hotponyshoes]

This is a £60 mask just with my mobile looking through.

Without mask
View attachment 223729

Through lens
View attachment 223728
View attachment 223730

Is this a new mask?
Have you taken the green protective film off it yet?

 

[mtt.tr]

Is this a new mask?
Have you taken the green protective film off it yet?

Just the colour of the parweld lens in person looks more a true colour

 

[MCKDAVID]

............Not sure my welding would benefit or deserves any better

in my experience, welding always gets better just by being able to see what you're doing better... like someone else said, the difference between a basic or low quality and a high quality lid is night and day... speedglas 9100 for me, but I've heard a lot of good reports on the crystal so will give it a go at some point

 

[fizzy]

Inverter fusion are one of the cheapest for the Crystal 2.
£305 plus VAT at the moment.
Great service and fast delivery

https://www.inverterfusion.co.uk/product-p/if123484.htm

I was tempted by the ESAB and the Viking but read of a few people with problems with them. My old Optrel lasted 20 years so can't grumble!

Oh and the new Crystal is awesome - sadly I now have no excuses left for my welding

 

[maz0]

Inverter fusion are one of the cheapest for the Crystal 2.
£305 plus VAT at the moment.
Great service and fast delivery

https://www.inverterfusion.co.uk/product-p/if123484.htm

I was tempted by the ESAB and the Viking but read of a few people with problems with them. My old Optrel lasted 20 years so can't grumble!

Oh and the new Crystal is awesome - sadly I now have no excuses left for my welding

That is such a nice lid and good price....do I need 3 helmets? hmmm

 

[mtt.tr]

That is such a nice lid and good price....do I need 3 helmets? hmmm

No



I guess

Yes

 

[Hood]

That is such a nice lid and good price....do I need 3 helmets? hmmm

I don't although 2 are handy for me as often I am away on a job and can leave the Crystal there but if I need to do some welding in the workshop I need another.
I did have a Panoramaxx but after getting the Crystal I decided to sell the Panoramaxx and get another Crystal, they are that good in my opinion.

 

[fizzy]

I don't although 2 are handy for me as often I am away on a job and can leave the Crystal there but if I need to do some welding in the workshop I need another.
I did have a Panoramaxx but after getting the Crystal I decided to sell the Panoramaxx and get another Crystal, they are that good in my opinion.

It's your fault I went ahead and bought the Crystal

 

[Hood]

It's your fault I went ahead and bought the Crystal

If you regretted it it would be my fault but seems you don't so it can't be my fault but rather my credit

 

[fizzy]

This is a £60 mask just with my mobile looking through.

Without mask
View attachment 223729

Through lens
View attachment 223728
View attachment 223730

That is very good for a cheap mask - they have come a long way!

 

[Bill Edwards]

I don't although 2 are handy for me as often I am away on a job and can leave the Crystal there but if I need to do some welding in the workshop I need another.
I did have a Panoramaxx but after getting the Crystal I decided to sell the Panoramaxx and get another Crystal, they are that good in my opinion.

Your review thread on the Crystal soon made me want one, and all this time later I keep on thinking that I want one. Trouble is, although the ADF is now knackered on my Panoramaxx it's still doing all I need and I really like it and can't justify getting a Crystal. But I keep wanting one...

 

[GreenBlood]

Your review thread on the Crystal soon made me want one, and all this time later I keep on thinking that I want one. Trouble is, although the ADF is now knackered on my Panoramaxx it's still doing all I need and I really like it and can't justify getting a Crystal. But I keep wanting one...

You only live once!

 

[anjum]

But bankers live forever.....