Two of the best-selling welding helmets at Baker’s Gas and Welding are the Miller Digital Elite and Lincoln’s Viking Helmet. While both will deliver all of the
specifications that you could ever need for a top of the line auto-darkening
welding helmet, let’s talk about value, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
While the Viking helmet 3350 won’t deliver the X-Mode option found in
the Digital Elite, it offers a lot of value at Baker’s discounted price of $215
with free shipping (as of this writing). That’s lower than what most stores
offer, in fact. Here’s a look at what your money gets you:
A Welding Helmet with a Large Viewing Area
Every welder who reviews Lincoln’s Viking welding helmet enjoys the large
viewing area that is 3.74 inches high. That’s slightly larger than many helmets
on the market, and every bit counts when you’re working on a welding project.
A Welding Helmet with Shade Options
The Viking welding helmet provides a full range of shade options: 6-13 along
with a grind mode so that you never have to take off your helmet while on the
job. This wider range of shades makes it possible to strike a lot of sparks
while stick welding or do some low amperage TIG welding and still see your work
piece clearly without getting flashed.
The shade controls are easily managed with an internal shade control option
and a variety of positions that give welders all of the flexibility they need
for a wide variety of projects.
The shades are powered by solar-powered batteries that you can easily
replace, ensuring that you will always have enough power while you work and that
your helmet can be easily fixed if the batteries die.
Customizing a Welding Helmet
You’ll have plenty of customization options with the Viking Welding Helmet.
You’ll be able to add a cheater lens for finer welding projects that require
extreme attention to detail, with options to add a lens on the inside or outside
of the helmet. In addition, you can add a hard hat adaptor if you’re welding at
a job site with a lot of overhead hazards.
Welding Helmet Safety
The Viking welding helmet scores high in every category for safety. It
provides four arc sensors that will catch flashes and darken your shades while
you work, protecting you in a variety of positions. It also covers a significant
portion of your neck so that you don’t have to worry about “sun burn” from the
UV rays given off while you weld.
If you’re worried about neck strain, the Viking Helmet is comparable to other
welding helmets in weight so that you don’t have to worry about additional
weight hurting your neck.
The Value That the Viking Welding Helmet Delivers
This welding helmet from Lincoln provides some of the best value for the
money you invest in it. Many reviewers say that they won’t buy another helmet
again. With its light size, price, shade options, and customization options, the
Viking helmet provides the home and hobby welder all of the protection you could
ever need.
Miller’s Digital Elite may arguably be a little more heavy duty, and the
X-Mode option is the safest option for out of position welds since it can detect
flashes and darken your shades immediately.