Instapark ADF Series GX600 Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Adjustable Shade Range #5 - #13

I purchased this helmet as a Christmas gift, didn't get a chance to test it until February. The auto dark did not work. To much time had past for a return option. Posted a review stating my frustrations, within a day I had an email asking if I wanted a new helmet or a refund with no need to return the dysfunctional helmet. Requested a new helmet, it works awesome!! So happy because my boyfriend really loved this helmet! Outstanding customer service and a great product!

This welding helmet has lots of features, comes already assembled and is adjustable for various head sizes.It has dual setting ranges, 5-9 and 9-13, to control the darkness of the lens. It has a "grind" setting to use while grinding. It's also supplied with extra lens covers. The lens has a "Test" setting as well that allows the user to check the darkening function of the lens. Another feature is the adjustable delay for turning off the darkening feature after welding. For the price it's packed with useful features. My helmet was ready to work right out of the box aside from headband adjustments.It responds instantly to an arc and I don't get any spots in my eyes when I'm done. The "grind" function works well, too, since you can clearly see everything you need to see. Setting it on about 9.5 or 10 works just about perfectly for MIG welding...for me anyway.The colors on the outside of the helmet (I got the eagle design) are very brilliant and the decals are cleanly applied. It looks very nice.It includes a nice, easy to understand instruction booklet, too.My only complaint is with the headband suspension. It feels flimsy and needs to be tightened too tightly in order to move the helmet up and down without it sliding around on my head. So once it's secure enough I need to use both hands to raise/lower it...one hand to move the helmet, one hand to hold it in place. It also doesn't offer nearly as much cushion in the forehead area as some others I've used. It can be adjusted for angle of view (to the work piece) and for distance from the face. There's an annoying bulge molding into the plastic on the left side that hits me right in the temple area when the headband is tightened enough to keep it secure on my head.The headband would be a deal killer for me if I needed to purchase another helmet. It's a severe weak point in an otherwise top-shelf welding helmet.***UPDATED: 6/12/2017*** After my initial 3-Star review (due to the headband issue) I was contacted by the seller. They offered to replace the entire helmet. I asked that only the headband/suspension be replaced. I received a new one, with several additional padded sweatbands included, in the mail 2 days later. The new suspension is far superior to the original. It has a sturdier attaching system and has far more adjustment latitude than the original.The new suspension, combined with superior customer service, makes this a 5-Star helmet in my mind. Highly recommended.

It is light weight and it works fine. However the head adjustments feel a little flimsy but it too works fine.This is my first auto darken lens so I'm not sure if this is a normal thing but it darkens under florescent lighting. My shop is full of florescent lights that I have to switch off before using. I thought it didn't work at first untill ot dawned on me.

Have used this several times since I received it and it has worked flawlessly. As good, no it is better than the Miller helmet it replaced in my opinion. Control knob on outside easy to adjust.

Got it for my welding class, works great no problems just wish you could adjust the sensitivity. (UPDATED) the company read my comment and sent me a new one with sensitivity control got here in like two days very fast and very happy would buy from them over and over again!!!

Lightweight, and it looks great . I can see well through the small viewing field, and the auto dark feature works as advertised . I do not weld daily, so for me this is a great helmet .

If something only has a one month warranty, don't get it. Build quality is what you'd expect, not good but not bad. Unless you're holding an arc that is way too long, it's nearly impossible to see anything but the puddle. Helmet is battery powered and solar powered, apparently, but if I left it in my car overnight I'd have to leave it in the sun for half an hour to share before it would work. After a month of using it, it finally completely failed. Wouldn't darken, left it in the sun for an hour, nothing worked all day. Moral of the story, buy something from a respected brand, and don't skimp. Getting flashed by the arc sucks. Also, the shade five wouldn't darken when oxy-fuel cutting.

For the price, the helmet works. The adjusting headband is very cheap and does not mold well to your head. in fact it causes pressure pain on your head if you wear it more the a few minutes. the adjusting knobs on side of helmet fell off as I was welding. As they say. . .You get what you pay for.