Optrel e680 or Esab eyetech 2?

[Drains]

Evenin all
I'm fed up with groping around in the dark with me old faithful 9-13 mask doing low- current Tig, so it's time for a new lid. Current front runners are the Optrel E680, or Esab Eyetech II 5-13 jobbie from Weldequip. Both are more or less the same price. Which is best? Any opinions on pros and cons?

 

[wyn]

I use an optrel satellite which is the forerunner to the e680 and it has been very good over the last couple of years.
I have only been down to around 40'ish amps with tig and no problems.
I use it mostly on a shade 7-8 for around 65 amps tig.

By the look of it the esab and optrel use the same lens/control units. I've read somewhere that the batteries are now replaceable on the e680.


Edit:
The e680 manual shows batteries as replaceable.

 

[malcolm]

Looks like the same lens unit to me. I've got a 5-13 and it seems to work. The batteries are replaceable on the Eyetech only if you have a stanley knife and possibly a soldering iron. If they are the same price I would put the ability to change batteries above the quality of head strap.

I find the lens calibration a bit light - I'll have it at 11 where I would expect 10. Not a problem for me but it could be an issue for people welding all day at 13.

 

[Shox Dr]

A for Optrel satellite, use it down to 3amps with out problems

 

[zzr1200]

A for Optrel satellite, use it down to 3amps with out problems

Welding tin foil?????

 

[Drains]

Thanks for the hints and tips folks. I've gone with the Optrel. Not really because of the battery issue, as I don't believe that's a major one to worry about, but because I think the Optrel looks better (I know, I know), and more to the point, the ESAB looked like it could restrict visibility a wee bit at the sides, or be a pain in tight spaces, as the front edges project out somewhat more than the Optrel. It would have been better if I could have tried both in the flesh. Unfortunately I was going by piccies.

Anyways, I'm sure it'll be fine. Thanks again!

Oh, and no, I didn't get the white one.