Optrel vegaview 2.5

[Richard.]

Miller head gear is excellent, very comfortable, and no problems at all in year I have been using it.

Unfortunately I can only go by the pics as I've not slapped a elite on my head. Comfortable I can see that but I'm not a fan of lots of head fitting adjustments. They tend to be flimsy or at least the speedglas ones are any how. I'll have to have a try of the Miller at some point so that I can make a proper opinion of it. If I like it then it will go on the short list.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Valid point but I had an eye sight check and new glasses every12 months as I am diabetic I most likely will benefit from a cheater lens.

That said I find the hardest thing is seeing after the arc. Its hard to explain but if I wait longer its harder to get started again. All I am speaking about is Mig BTW..

I have 2 pairs of glasses, one for driving/general use and the other for reading. Reading glasses are ok for welding, but nowhere near as good as driving glasses and magnifying lens.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Unfortunately I can only go by the pics as I've not slapped a elite on my head. Comfortable I can see that but I'm not a fan of lots of head fitting adjustments. They tend to be flimsy or at least the speedglas ones are any how. I'll have to have a try of the Miller at some point so that I can make a proper opinion of it. If I like it then it will go on the short list.

Used mine for over a year now nearly every day, very comfortable indeed, and never needed to fiddle with it once. They are lighter with more adjustment than HG from older helmets, and I guess thats the reason for being so comfortable, and no need to fiddle about?

 

[NickyEng]

Guys just to let you all know, rapidwelding have a great deal on for the Lincoln Viking 3350. Just spent my Xmas money got it for 178.00 all in delivered. That's about 62 quid cheaper than the miller elite delivered.
Spent hrs trolling thru online comparisons last night on the Web and some people favoured the Lincoln against the miller digital elite.
Main reasons are.
1.Miller elite not recommended for overhead work due to Molton metal falling in the lens holder lip getting trapped and burning it.
This happened on my old series 1 elite
2. The "no welding" optical clarity much better on the Lincoln, less green tint.
3. Screens for the front are more standard size apparently? Not sure aboat that one
4. Better headgear on the Lincoln.
That's just people's opinions of course.

Like Richard said the miller infinity digital looks very good, better than elite but is not ce stamped for sale here

 

[Chris Stevens]

I never put much faith in "reviews" carried out by people who in most cases have been provided with free gear in exchange for a good ad.

I guess with a welding helmet, you are only likely to know if it lives up to the blurb after using it for a couple of weeks?

But in regard to the name brands not sure if there is anything really bad, and unless you can hold some different ones in your hands before purchase, its simply a matter of deciding which blurb sounds more credible?

 

[MichaelV]

Guys just to let you all know, rapidwelding have a great deal on for the Lincoln Viking 3350. Just spent my Xmas money got it for 178.00 all in delivered. That's about 62 quid cheaper than the miller elite delivered.
Spent hrs trolling thru online comparisons last night on the Web and some people favoured the Lincoln against the miller digital elite.
Main reasons are.
1.Miller elite not recommended for overhead work due to Molton metal falling in the lens holder lip getting trapped and burning it.
This happened on my old series 1 elite
2. The "no welding" optical clarity much better on the Lincoln, less green tint.
3. Screens for the front are more standard size apparently? Not sure aboat that one
4. Better headgear on the Lincoln.
That's just people's opinions of course.

Like Richard said the miller infinity digital looks very good, better than elite but is not ce stamped for sale here

Best of luck with it, Nicky

 

[Richard.]

Guys just to let you all know, rapidwelding have a great deal on for the Lincoln Viking 3350. Just spent my Xmas money got it for 178.00 all in delivered. That's about 62 quid cheaper than the miller elite delivered.
Spent hrs trolling thru online comparisons last night on the Web and some people favoured the Lincoln against the miller digital elite.
Main reasons are.
1.Miller elite not recommended for overhead work due to Molton metal falling in the lens holder lip getting trapped and burning it.
This happened on my old series 1 elite
2. The "no welding" optical clarity much better on the Lincoln, less green tint.
3. Screens for the front are more standard size apparently? Not sure aboat that one
4. Better headgear on the Lincoln.
That's just people's opinions of course.

Like Richard said the miller infinity digital looks very good, better than elite but is not ce stamped for sale here

I would of made the same choice but it would of been quite bios towards the Lincoln given I've used one and found it brilliant.
The elite has a big price tag and only 1 feature to brag over the 3350 (X mode). The Lincoln has a bigger viewing area and the head gear looks more to my taste. The fact it's 60 quid cheaper would be a bonus. I'm sure I'll like the Miller when I try it as I've heard good things about it. As for reviews I'm with Chris in the respect I don't believe everything I read. However forums are worth looking on for reviews as they tend to be from owners not advertisers. Wendelspanswicks review on the Lincoln is what persuaded me to go and try one and the review was spot on as the lid is great and the price even better. I can't decide which I like best between the 3350 and the wh70. Both have ups and downs and similar money. I cannot decide which is best.

 

[ukracer]

I would of made the same choice but it would of been quite bios towards the Lincoln given I've used one and found it brilliant.
The elite has a big price tag and only 1 feature to brag over the 3350 (X mode). The Lincoln has a bigger viewing area and the head gear looks more to my taste. The fact it's 60 quid cheaper would be a bonus. I'm sure I'll like the Miller when I try it as I've heard good things about it. As for reviews I'm with Chris in the respect I don't believe everything I read. However forums are worth looking on for reviews as they tend to be from owners not advertisers. Wendelspanswicks review on the Lincoln is what persuaded me to go and try one and the review was spot on as the lid is great and the price even better. I can't decide which I like best between the 3350 and the wh70. Both have ups and downs and similar money. I cannot decide which is best.

What are the ups and downs richard??

 

[Richard.]

Between the Lincoln and the Jackson. Well none have any real downs but I prefer parts of one over the other.
The Jackson has the best optics. I've never found a lid that matches it and my new tech is close. The Jackson has the best head gear too. The 370 head gear is such a brilliant, strong, simple thing. I'd go as far to say it's got to be the best out there. But the let down on that lid is external controls. Like my newtech everything is exposed to spatter and knocks and it's so annoying that I have to remove it to change it. I much prefer it under the view.
The Lincoln has the bigger viewing area out of the two and everything is on the inside where it belongs. It has decent head gear and decent optics. The Lincoln actually has no down sides where as the Jackson does but the Jackson has sides to it that are beyond brilliant like its optics which tend to make me think its downsides don't matter.
Urg!!!!! frustrating as there is only 10 quid in them.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I'm trying to take the plunge and part with hard earned on the Vegaview - but where on earth do you go for spare parts?
A quick search isn't revealing anything and I at least want replacement front lenses, I don't believe the sales hype that everything will simply roll off them! Where can I buy replacement parts, do I have to go to an authorised distributor or something daft?

And the cheapest I can find is £220 inc VAT, I take it nobody knows of any cheaper...?

 

[MichaelV]

I'm trying to take the plunge and part with hard earned on the Vegaview - but where on earth do you go for spare parts?
A quick search isn't revealing anything and I at least want replacement front lenses, I don't believe the sales hype that everything will simply roll off them! Where can I buy replacement parts, do I have to go to an authorised distributor or something daft?

And the cheapest I can find is £220 inc VAT, I take it nobody knows of any cheaper...?

Bill - I paid a wee bit more, but United supplied the lid with no fewer than seven front lenses. Again, not wanting to advertise per se, but that fact alone I considered to be very positive.
Michael

 

[Richard.]

If united supply them they will be easily obtained and quickly at a fair price. United welding are very good

 

[ukracer]

I'm trying to take the plunge and part with hard earned on the Vegaview - but where on earth do you go for spare parts?
A quick search isn't revealing anything and I at least want replacement front lenses, I don't believe the sales hype that everything will simply roll off them! Where can I buy replacement parts, do I have to go to an authorised distributor or something daft?

And the cheapest I can find is £220 inc VAT, I take it nobody knows of any cheaper...?

MAny places they are 215..... plus vat. So 220 delivered seems cool.

 

[Richard.]

Optrel lids are one of the most expensive about they certainly charge around top end speedglas cash for there top lids. I'd be far more interested if they put something a little bigger on the front of it to look through.

 

[Bill Edwards]

OWWW!
I've gone and done it, money spent. I thought £20/25 on an auto mask was extravagant, never thought I'd buy something like this...

I hope it's worth it!

 

[Richard.]

OWWW!
I've gone and done it, money spent. I thought £20/25 on an auto mask was extravagant, never thought I'd buy something like this...

I hope it's worth it!

I'm sure it will be. I'm feeling rather left out now. Your all buying new toys

 

[MichaelV]

Good luck with it, Bill

 

[Bill Edwards]

I'm sure it will be. I'm feeling rather left out now. Your all buying new toys

The downside to buying new toys is the poverty which follows...

 

[NickyEng]

The downside to buying new toys is the poverty which follows...

Your not wrong there bill. I gonna be Paying for kids Xmas stuff till April, never mind the new Tig machine and welding helmet
**** it, it's only money, I don't have much but I have customers with plenty and most are miserable t**** so I rather be the Way I am, you cant take it underground with you when the time comes anyway....just watched its a wonderful life George Bailey is my hero...what a guy

 

[Bill Edwards]

Your not wrong there bill. I gonna be Paying for kids Xmas stuff till April, never mind the new Tig machine and welding helmet
**** it, it's only money, I don't have much but I have customers with plenty and most are miserable t**** so I rather be the Way I am, you cant take it underground with you when the time comes anyway....just watched its a wonderful life George Bailey is my hero...what a guy

Ohhh, how true.