3MSpeedglas Welding Helmet 9100, 06-0100-30iSW, with Auto-Darkening Filter 9100XXi 3 Arc Sensors for MMAW TIG MIG Tack Plasma Arc Welding and Grinding Mask, 1 Each

I upgraded to the Speedglas 9100xxi. I've owned a Lincoln Electric Viking 3350, Lincoln FGS Series, Miller Digital Elite, and numerous 3M pipeliners. All of which have served me well. But the Speedglas stands out. It's lightweight, the headgear is comfortable, the side viewing panels (#5 shade) are incredibly nice when it comes to safety and knowing where you're going. The xxi cartridge is phenomenal. Colors are vibrant and true. Visabilty when the arc is struck is next level when it comes to clarity. But the most understated feature that I never knew I would appreciate so much, the venting. I know welding hoods, unless they have respirators, are free flowing because of the open-back design. But 3M added ventilation that allows your breath to be exhausted from the hood. Fumes don't enter the hood from the venting either. Clever design. But best of all, you don't fog up your lenses and you stay cooler when working because the furnace that is you exhaling escapes the hood without traveling over your face. It's amazing. The headgear is also great, it's super comfortable even after all-day wear. It fits the way you want. Adjustability is seemingly endless. The brake works perfect. So no more busting yourself in the mouth. Cover is easily removed from the front. So no more handling your ADF cartridge to get it out through the headgear. This also means changing or cleaning lenses is a breeze. The price seems a bit much. But when you consider how great of a hood this is, you won't regret your purchase. Plus to me, my eyes are worth more to protect. When it comes to a hood, you get exactly what you pay for. There isn't a sub $100 hood I would trust the way I trust this one. The $450 price tag is more than worth it.I have over 500 hours under one of these hoods and I recommend to all my fellow welders and fabricators that they get one for themselves. It gets the Midwest Fab seal of approval!!!

I have had this speedglas for about 4 months. It has been incredibly reliable and durable. The lens is huge and very clear, you can even see around your puddle even with darker shades. Most surprising to me is that this hood just doesn’t die. For one welding out in -15 with an auto darkening lens I for sure thought that it would barely darken or not darken at all. But it never skipped a beat, plus the vents helped the lens never fog up. This hood has been dropped and thrown before yet it still works as if it’s brand new. The only real negatives I have with this hood is that it is a little heavy and outdated lens wise. I have tried Millers, Lincoln’s, and optrels but personally this style of hood is my favorite so I will continue to use.Edit: still been using it on the daily since I bought it, still works great and is super clear!

The media could not be loaded. The vision in helmet is top notch all though on the ad the viewing screen doesn’t seem big the helmets mounting systems bring you closer opening the field of view even more , having preferal vision in an atmosphere like the high speed factory I work in is a huge win. Much more alert to forklifts and crane chains. The headgear fits snug and stays tight , I flip 600-800 times a day and it still works like newSide note: it does get dirty quickly with the matte finish , but wipe with windex and then apply small amount of any car wax . Keeps dust away and for the silver shield a small coat of PB BLASTER..I know what you’re thinking , but not only does it remove serious grime it also reduces splatter staying on the helmet

Great helmet overall, I own some of the top brands and this one does not disappoint. The XXi filter is very, very clear, like high definition for welding, its well made and easy to use. I am only using this for tig and put a 3m cheater in it. The standouts for this helmet are the side windows, auto on/off, shade 3 light state and vents, does not fog ADF. Having the helmet down for long periods is not as stuffy feeling with the side windows, plus I can see around me as I re-position. About the only thing I would change is the headgear, I still find the JACKSON just a bit better and locks up, not a huge deal but as good as the helmet is it's the only thing that possibly could be upgraded by 3m. When you consider all the other exceptional aspects of this helmet though it is top of the line for any professional welder.

This is the best helmet, which one I had. I am a welder 16 years. And this is my opinion 👍

Love the optics of the Speedglas 9100, very light and clear. The headband and adjustments are easy and comfortable. I use a 2X magnifier for low amperage TIG. My only complaint is that it is quite heavy. I returned a Miller Digital Elite and found the Speedglas to be more comfortable and feel like higher quality all around.

I've owned quite a few helmets that I purchased for $150 or less. Invariably, over time, I get brilliant blinding flashes while welding. For a long time I thought I was doing something wrong but, no, the lenses simply fail. The 3M are very expensive but if you value your vision, they are worth every penny.

It’s a good hood but not worth the money in my opinion. You could say I regret buying it. It’s big and heavy and there are much better cheaper options. Just slap a tefuawe auto lens in any 2x4 hood.