The guys from Lincoln Welding paid us a visit today, bringing us some of their new Vista welding helmets...

In town for the annual Sun 'N Fun Airshow in Lakeland, the guys from Lincoln Electric stopped by our office to show off their new Vista welding helmets. Pretty neat pieces, with solor powered batteries that control the auto tinting mask, variable tint controls, and a host of other options. The exact list of features is below, but suffice to say, these helmets are pretty trick!

Here's the specs Lincoln gave us on the new helmet:

Utilizing the latest auto-darkening technology, all VISTA helmets include a full-featured cartridge, including four arc sensors, variable shade, variable sensitivity and variable delay.

More visibility - In addition to the sizable view size on the VISTA 3000, welders can choose the VISTA 1000 and VISTA 2000 cartridge view sizes, which are offered at lower price points. Regardless of view size or sensitivity settings, all VISTA helmet lens always protect against harmful UV and invisible light.

More convenient - Welders have enough to worry about when they're on the job. With VISTA helmets, there is no power switch needed to turn on and off during or between jobs. The helmets are solar powered, so there are no batteries to charge and no alkaline corrosion.

More control - VISTA helmets include variable shade adjustment from shade 9 up to 13. They also include variable sensitivity, including a grind mode that fixes the shade at the light state of shade 3 for grinding. In addition, a TIG mode assists the helmet in detecting the arc in low amperage welding applications. Variable delay is also included, ideal for protecting operators from the bright light of slow cooling weld nuggets during high amperage welding.

More features - Four independent arc sensors help ensure the auto-darkening lens reliably and safely darkens in any application - moving from light to dark in 1/10,000 of a second. The TIG mode is designed to detect the welding arc as low as 5 amps.

The VISTA line also includes a cover/spatter plate that can be conveniently changed in seconds from the front of the helmet. Welders can custom fit the helmet with the new Push-N-Turn(TM) headgear, and the patent-pending tilt mechanism easily adjusts the viewing angle and helmet down stop. This is backed by the Positive Lock-Up(TM), which holds the helmet up until it is time to weld.

Hot new graphics - Lincoln's VISTA line launches with four hot graphic designs. In addition to the basic textured black, welders can choose the stars and stripes Patriot, the iridescent paint NASCAR(R) design or the attitude-laden Heavy Metal graphic. Every helmet includes a Personal-Pak(TM) with a soft helmet bag with zip-up pocket, a graphic Lincoln bandana and an owner I.D. label.