Optrel vegaview 2.5

[MichaelV]

I've just taken delivery of an Optrel vegaview 2.5, supplied by United Welding . An excellent lid, and excellent service from United. ChuckE has posted a very detailed review on YouTube, to which I can add very little. Suffice to say, it's extremely comfortable, lightweight, and adjusts to accommodate just about any heed. The clarity before and after you strike up is very impressive, colour transmission very nice, and the 2.5 shade makes lining up a lot easier. Very good value for the money... and once you use one, you won't want to use anything else

Mod Edit: Link removed

 

[Chris Stevens]

Wonder how much the control panel on the outside would cost to replace if it gets damaged?

 

[Kent]

And we are not advertising?

 

[Wozzaaah]

He's been a member for over 3 years so it's unlikely he's just decided to spam the forum.

 

[Richard.]

Wonder how much the control panel on the outside would cost to replace if it gets damaged?

Probably more than a complete unit.

 

[outofthefire]

Why would the control panel get damaged? It doesn't look much different from my optrel e680 and I've worn it most days for the last 5 years without it getting damaged

 

[Bill Edwards]

Interesting, I'd been looking at these quite recently.
Richard, did you find a supply for the mask you recently tried that you said was better than anything else you've ever used?

 

[Kent]

He's been a member for over 3 years so it's unlikely he's just decided to spam the forum.

Longer than me then but why does it say new member then?

 

[Richard.]

Interesting, I'd been looking at these quite recently.
Richard, did you find a supply for the mask you recently tried that you said was better than anything else you've ever used?

No chance. I'll be lucky to lay my hands on one of them unless import from the states which I would happily do seen as it was that good but then there is the issue of inners and outers. Again from the states and that gets expensive and inconvenient. The wh70 from Jackson I tried not long ago is as good from an optic PoV but missing some quality features the w70 has so I'll stick with the newtech XL for now.

 

[Richard.]

Longer than me then but why does it say new member then?

It always says new member if your post count is low. He's been a member 3 years but that was his first post.

 

[Kent]

It always says new member if your post count is low. He's been a member 3 years but that was his first post.

Thanks. Obviously it wasn't an advert

 

[MichaelV]

Hi Kent - just to put your mind at ease... I didn't intend to advertise a supplier overtly, but just wanted to comment on a great standard of service received. Sorry for any kerfuffle!
Michael

 

[Chris Stevens]

Why would the control panel get damaged? It doesn't look much different from my optrel e680 and I've worn it most days for the last 5 years without it getting damaged

The control panel is on the outside of the helmet and could get damaged by either dropping the helmet on the floor, or by something falling on it. I guess a new one would probably cost more than a complete helmet, so not sure that controls on the outside are that great an idea?

 

[Richard.]

It's common for them on the outside and a lot of lids do it and make them durable.
Personally I cannot stand them on the outside but for other reasons like been able to alter without having to take the mask off.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I wonder how many people opt for external controls from the perspective of improved function?

 

[Richard.]

My new tech has outer controls. It's a stunning lid but this is one of its down falls IMO. My next one what ever it may be will be required to be as good optically as the new tech but with internal controls.

 

[Shox Dr]

The Optrel has external controls, I've only caught one of the knobs once, it came off but was undamaged. As for adjustments, I can't remember that last time I touched any of those.

 

[Kent]

The control panel is on the outside of the helmet and could get damaged by either dropping the helmet on the floor, or by something falling on it. I guess a new one would probably cost more than a complete helmet, so not sure that controls on the outside are that great an idea?

The reasons above are exactly why I don't believe in expensive lids
I don't want to spend half my day fretting over my all too fragile and overpriced gear

 

[Chris Stevens]

The reasons above are exactly why I don't believe in expensive lids
I don't want to spend half my day fretting over my all too fragile and overpriced gear

Cheap helmets are like cheap angle grinders. Fine for occasional use, but if used everyday the cost of replacement soon becomes higher than buying quality in the first place. I have a 12 year old Speedglas which is used almost every day, and which still works fine.

 

[Kent]

Cheap helmets are like cheap angle grinders. Fine for occasional use, but if used everyday the cost of replacement soon becomes higher than buying quality in the first place. I have a 12 year old Speedglas which is used almost every day, and which still works fine.

I have to disagree. Drop something on them and they all break. Give them a good soaking likewise
I wore the same old split screen fibreglass one for years no trouble at all and my welds passed inspection on nuclear. Aircraft and more
I was in the first UK industry trials of auto darkening visors. They were not up to it and it was nearly give years before you saw them in use. Yet still quite a few bosses won't spring for them- why? Mum
Ok I use them now and have a couple of parweld last year one went for a swim and they bear many an impact scar from being dropped etc
If I was in a tidy little bench job I should be more tempted to spring a bit more cash but I do not think my welding should improve beyond its current level markedly if at all.

Breathing protection is a whole different ball game and if it's required on a job then cash should be a minor matter
Can I charge more an hour for my use of a more expensive visor? No! Therefore it costs me unless it speeds up priced work - which auto screens can achieve but if they work then they work and I can assure you even the budget ones work OK for everything I do
I read elsewhere that many are buying fixed shade old school visors again with some gold tint? Perhaps we can only re- invent the wheel so much?