ESAB Aristo Tech 5-13 ?

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

Does anyone have any experience with the ESAB Aristo Tech 5-13 ?

http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/Welding_Helmets/ESAB_Aristo_Tech__5-13/esab_aristo_tech__5-13.html

I'm using a generic adjustable shade mask at the moment but it struggles a bit with low current TIG and I'd also like something which can be used for plasma cutting.

The published specs for this one seem to tick all the boxes I'm after but it doesn't specifically state how good it is at picking up low amp TIG arcs.

I'm also considering the Speedglass 9100 range which seems to have some good extra features, although the internal controls do look a bit fiddly. I often work on quite big assemblies with variable lighting conditions so the ability to change settings easily on the fly is quite important. Similarly a grinding mode where you have to take the mask off to activate it seems to defeat the object a bit to me...

I've also read mixed reviews of the 9100 build quality, especially the headgear.

I spend a lot of time welding (TIG, MMA and MIG) so I don't mind spending a bit for quality and performance, and I'd rather buy a good tool once than a cheap tool and replace it every few months, although my budget is not unlimited.

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

 

[mirafioriman]

Not a bad price seen it on the net for £169.99. Can't see very detailed specs anywhere though. ESAB's marketing doesn't seem that great to me their material doesn't even seem to state the size of the viewing area.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

Not a bad price seen it on the net for £169.99. Can't see very detailed specs anywhere though. ESAB's marketing doesn't seem that great to me their material doesn't even seem to state the size of the viewing area.

Yeah its a bit frustrating, I know its a decent brand and the overall specs are what I want I would just like a bit more detail to compare it to the speedglass offerings. Everything I've found so far is just a cut and paste of the text from the official sales pitch.

 

[chunkolini]

You dont need a dark mask for plasma cutting, I just use a clear face shield and have done for years with no problems.
Otherwise yes, buy a decent mask for welding.
But for cutting and grinding I prefer a clear face shield, bigger area to look through and more peripheral vision.
I guess you are another arty metal botherer what kind of stuff are you doing?
Try posting in the projects section or introductions.
oh, and welcome aboard.
Chunko'.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

You dont need a dark mask for plasma cutting, I just use a clear face shield and have done for years with no problems.
Otherwise yes, buy a decent mask for welding.
But for cutting and grinding I prefer a clear face shield, bigger area to look through and more peripheral vision.
I guess you are another arty metal botherer what kind of stuff are you doing?
Try posting in the projects section or introductions.
oh, and welcome aboard.
Chunko'.

Yes arty metal botherer indeed. At the moment I'm mostly doing steel fabrication, I do a bit of cast iron now and again when I get the chance as well. A fair bit of my recent stuff in on my website : www.ChrisJohnsSculpture.co.uk

I generally wear shade 5 glasses for plasma cutting and I've found the shade makes it easier to follow fiddly lines, and having an auto lens in a lower shade would probably be handly but its not absolutely essential as dark glasses are basically fine. Similalry an easy to activate grinding mode would be handy but not essential since it would really be more for the odd bit of grinding inbetween welding than serious ammounts.

 

[Hitch]

Yeah its a bit frustrating, I know its a decent brand and the overall specs are what I want I would just like a bit more detail to compare it to the speedglass offerings. Everything I've found so far is just a cut and paste of the text from the official sales pitch.

I have never used of seen the one in question, but just because its branded doesn't make it good in my recent experience of Esab headshields.

 

[hotrodder]

Personally i can forgive Speedglas for their mickey mouse head gear as the side windows and the exhaust vents make them soooo light and airy. I don't find the internal controls a pain- the early ones (years ago) that had analogue controls couldn't really be adjusted with gloved hands but the membrane buttons aren't clumsy/fiddly with TIG gloves at least. I would have thought external controls would be easier to break? They must be more restrictive when it comes to squeezing your bonce into tight spots?

Can't comment on the 9100 as i've only used the 9000 series (currently using a 9002x) but i thought it was supposed to be an improvement over the earlier headgear? I guess they're probably still know for being stupidly fussy in that it's either too tight to nod down or won't stay up?

I'm probably wrong/out of date but don't ESAB use Optrel lenses? If that's the case aren't the batteries the 'non replaceable' type? Personally i won't buy a bucket that needs to be cut open to replace batteries on principle

 

[Welderpaul]

I favour the Esab Eyetech's as per pic. Very robustly built; last a long time until the screen eventually dies (last me 12-18 months). Problem is they have been discontinued, but there seems to be a ready supply of new ones on ebay that go for 50-60 quid new.
Bought a new speedglas one recently but didnt really get on with it. Seem far too delicate and forget everytime to turn it on. Not quite sure why you need to switch them on...? other makes, including Esab seem to have got round this one?

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

Well in the end I decided to bite the bullet and treat myself to an Optrel e680, which while a bit more than I was planning to spend gives all the appearances of being definitely good.

It arrived this morning and I had the chance to have a bit of a go with it. First impressions are that it seems excellent.

To wear it's very lightweight, well balanced and feels very stable both down and up. The headgear seems to work very well with a good range of adjustment and teh mask itself provides proper full face coverage with very little gap at the neck.

The filter cartridge is a bit smaller than some other top end models by other brands but the design of the helmet puts it very close to your eyes so the field of view is pretty decent. For welding it's more than adequate and it certainly seems big enough that there's very little need to lift the mask for preparation in the light state and I was quite happily wandering about the workshop to grab parts and tools with the visor down.

The view through the lens in the light state is very clear indeed, as I mentioned before, although the lens isn't massive the design of the helmet gives a very wide field of view which is more than adequate for setting up assemblies and grinding.

When welding the switching time is noticeably faster than my previous budget helmet and so far no sign of strobing with TIG, although I've not tried it on very low amps yet, it definitely responds very fast when striking an arc with a 1.6mm tungsten.

The 'true colour' filter does what it says on the tin, Rather than everything being green and orange you can see a full range of colours even the blue fringe to the arc. It's difficult to say for sure how useful this is but my impression is that you get much more of a sense of depth and detail.

The external controls are well thought out and easy to use. Grinding mode is activated by a simple push button which is very easy to use and feels positive. I'm not intending to use this for serious grinding but the facility is very useful if you just need to quickly grind out a defect or clean up a bit you missed without trying to remember where you put your goggles. Similarly it's easy to tweak the shade without taking it off.

One minor gripe is that the outer lens cover sticks out a bit so you can't put it face down on the bench without risking scratching it and new lenses aren't that cheap. One the plus side they have a built in gasket which should protect the cartridge from ingress of dust.

So overall I'm very impressed, admittedly my basis for comparison is a fairly cheap mask but this is definitely a massive step up in terms of comfort and clarity of view. I don't imagine that it will magically make my welding any better but I can certainly see that it will make it easier to improve... if that makes sense.

In terms of value for money this is certainly not cheap, it's definitely better than a budget mask but I suppose it comes down to how much you are prepared to pay for an incremental improvement. I fancied splashing out on a nice bit of kit and it certainly is that.

 

[Seano]

Like hotrodder I love my speedglass, I also use the 9002x with a cheater lens fitted, I find it really light and comfortable to wear for long periods, internal membrane control pad is easy to use, but obviously can't be adjusted on the run, I like the idea of the true colour filter and if that could be fitted to the speedglass I think that would be just about perfect....

Sean.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

Like hotrodder I love my speedglass, I also use the 9002x with a cheater lens fitted, I find it really light and comfortable to wear for long periods, internal membrane control pad is easy to use, but obviously can't be adjusted on the run, I like the idea of the true colour filter and if that could be fitted to the speedglass I think that would be just about perfect....

Sean.

I suspect that this is one of those things which comes down to personal preference. External controls are a big plus for me as I do a lot of quite varied fab work which often involves quite a bit of designing as you go along so the easy grind mode and external adjustments are a big plus to me whereas I can see that it might be no big thing to other people.

 

[Seano]

I suspect that this is one of those things which comes down to personal preference. External controls are a big plus for me as I do a lot of quite varied fab work which often involves quite a bit of designing as you go along so the easy grind mode and external adjustments are a big plus to me whereas I can see that it might be no big thing to other people.

Give it a good roadest Crisjohns and write a short eval, it's always good to have honest opinions on how kit works out.

 

[mirafioriman]

Thanks for the great review of the e680. I currently have a budget mask that for the cost of it works pretty well. I've decided I fancy a better helmet so I'll have to start saving up!

Thanks to what I've read on here I think I'll be saving for an e680. I like the look of it and it seems to be a good quality product that works well.