Lincoln Electric Viking™ Industrial Passive™ Black Welding Helmet

Really liking’s this

This was my first welding helmet purchase, for use with a small flux core wire welder I bought. I stayed away from the auto darken helmets because it seemed you either spend a lot of money for a good one or you get a potentially unsafe helmet for cheap. This helmet works perfect for me. It has nice adjustments, the drop down feature works well, and it's very comfortable for the short time spans I wear it. I can't speak to how well it would work for all day use because I've never done that, but for a beginner hobbyist like me it filled the bill. No worries about safety and reasonable cost.

The Viking passive welding helmet is an excellent helmet/hood for occasional welding, and as perhaps a back up for the professional. Great comfort and viewing area, and the hands free 'drop down' with a head nod works perfectly. The shade 11 works fine for MIG or stick welding. The head harness is adjustable as is the drop down tension. I use this hood regularly in a hobby shop and would purchase again. Though the far more expensive self darkening helmets remain the rage - purists may remember that many bridges, skyscrapers, race cars and airplanes were built with welders wearing passive helmets like this one.

Has many adjustables. Head size, darkness level, darkness reaction time and clear length setting for grinding only. Recommended

The welding helmet (also lincoln electric) I have had for nearly 20 years finally broke in a manner I couldn't fix it. I typically weld ~ 1 or 2 times a month so I didn't really see the need to spend the money on an automatic darkening helmet. It surprised me how difficult it actually is to find a good quality helmet that isn't auto darkening. Searched pretty hard on the reviews to find this one. I'm not disappointed at all. Lincoln electric continues to build great products and I expect this one to last a long time. The only one con I would say about this is that it doesn't have a flip up lens. So you do have to open the helmet each time. With the little welding I do not a big deal to me at all but you should be aware of this when you purchase.