3M™ Heavy-Duty Powered Air Purifying Respirator with Light-Weight Clear Visor

At Welding Helmets Online we have taken the time to compare all the best welding helmets currently on the Australian market and we’ve created a unique and consistent cross-reference feature list across all welding helmets featured on this site so you can easily and accurately compare features across different brands of welding helmets without the marketing "mumbo-jumbo". We keep it simple so you can keep it simple when making a decision on the welding helmet that would best suit your individual needs.

Here we list any feature that doesn’t fit the criteria below or sets this welding helmet apart from the rest of the pack.

• Optical classifications are listed in this format X/X/X/X
• Numbers range from 1 to 3 where 1 is the best and 3 is the worst.
• Each position represents a different area of measurement: (Optical quality / Diffusion of light / Variation in luminous transmittance / Angle dependency)
• A 1/1/1/1 ranking is the best possible optical classification however please note that this classification does not take into account new welding lens technology that allows true vision (explained above in Viewing Quality section). True vision is more important than a 1/1/1/1 classification if viewing quality is what is important to you.

• Viewing areas have been conveniently classed as Standard, Large or Extra Large
• Viewing area in mm and in the same format every time – height x width.
• Field of vision can also be noted here for lenses that are brought closer to the eyes to increase field of vision.

Does the lens use new technology to provide true vision (allows a wider spectrum of colour through the lens) or a standard viewing experience (greenish view)?

This is the shade level when you are not welding. The lower the number the better the vision for set-up, moving around and non-welding tasks, especially when combined with new auto-darkening technology that allows true vision.

Dark shades are used to control the level of visible light seen through the auto-darkening welding filter. Lighter shades like 8 are better for TIG welding and higher shades are required as you use higher amps.

How powerful the lens is in detecting the arc so that it can auto-darken consistently and reliably. The lower the number the better and 1 amp is the most powerful possible.

What type of grinding feature does the welding helmet feature – flip-up, grind mode etc.

What applications the manufacturer has listed the helmet is suitable to handle eg. Stick, MIG, TIG

Standard manufacturer’s warranty period of cover.

Weight of the product (not including the packaging).

Does the welding lens have replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar powered, solar assisted or something else?

What added comfort features does this helmet include.

Many helmets include extras like cover lenses and helmet bags.

This section is added for any welding helmet that features respiratory protection.

• Required Minimum Protection Factor: The factor by which the respirator reduces exposure to welding fume if correctly worn and used in the correct circumstances. Example: RMPF of 50 would provide air at least 50 times cleaner than the air of an unprotected welder.
• Flow rate: How many litres of air are delivered to the welder per minute.
• Weight: How heavy the respirator is when worn
• Battery Life: How long the battery runs for before needing a charge.
• Filter Options: What filter options are available to the welder with this system