Weld My World - Welding News

Paint It Black — The New Optrel Crystal 2.0

Optrel Crystal 2.0 1006.901 on a job site welding

Looking to get into a top-tier welding helmet? Don't like welding helmets that stand out with bold colors? The Optrel Crystal 2.0 in matte black is here! The Crystal 2.0 in it's classic silver colorway quickly became one of our best selling hoods. Optrel's Crystal Lens Technology is hard to beat, and having a light state of 2.0, we couldn't deny that it was a game changer when it came out.

Optrel Crystal 2.0 in Black - Part number 1006.901

Is the Optrel Crystal Lens Technology all that?

We certainly think so! Having such an incredible light state means that when you wear a Crystal, there will be less switching of protective headwear. By that I mean you will be able to keep your helmet on and down during prep work, weldment positioning, welding (obviously) and post-weld clean-up! No more flipping up the hood constantly or changing over to a face shield.

I love wearing my Crystal 2.0 for exactly that. I can see the my workspace completely unclouded pre and post-weld, and when I am welding it is the cherry on top. The way that the weld bead just pops off of the base-material is seriously incredible.

What is different about the black Crystal 2.0?

Absolutely nothing tech-wise. Just the color of the shell! The silver shell is said to be more heat-reflective, but the black version is $30 cheaper. What is a little extra sweat worth to you? The black Crystal 2.0 still features everything you love in it's silver counterpart – Autopilot, sensitivity adjustment, Twilight Function, hard hat adaptability and an external grind button.

Why do customer's pay a "premium" for Optrel helmets?

Here is my best guess. First, Optrel invests a ton of time and money into R&D, and as a result, they have set records time and time again. Their top-tier helmets also have the "Autopilot" feature. In a nut shell, Autopilot smoothly transitions between shades 4 and 12 depending on your current application. This protects your eyes without choppy shade changes. It also is pretty great for the obvious reason of not having to manually set your shade if you switch processes.

Plus, they have an incredible team that handles any warranty claims quickly. If you have an issue with your ADF, headgear or shell, they have your back. They prefer to work directly with you too, so you don't have to bother with emailing us back and forth. You can get your warranty completed from Optrel themselves!

Should I go with the Crystal 2.0 or the Panoramaxx?

I get this question a lot. It is all going to come down with what you are comfortable with. The Crystal 2.0 fits like a classic hood. It has an old-school-style ratcheting headgear and sits off of your face like any other helmet. I will say that if you get a bit claustrophobic, go with the Crystal 2.0. Where the Panoramaxx differs is that it will sit up on your nose very close to your eyes like a pair of goggles. This is where we get the name Panoramaxx – i.e. the panoramic view. Since it sits so close to your face, your peripherals are much more visible.

If you wear glasses, don't let the Panoramaxx deter you. I personally wear glasses and have no issues with the Pano hood. It has a couple of micro-adjustments to fit it to your face/head better. Both the Crystal and Panoramaxx offer cheater lens options too if you are so inclined.