Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet Review
As you would expect, the sleek and stylish Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet also comes with a slew of features you’ll put to good use.
It is a fantastic option for someone searching for welding gear to tackle any project from grinding to MIG welding.
Compared to many other helmets on the market, this model has far more to offer and is incredibly easy to use for beginners and experienced welders alike.
Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet
When you wear the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet for the first time, you’ll realize just how intuitive it is.
After your first use, you won’t want to consider using any other welding helmet again. It has plenty of sleek and technologically advanced features that are sure to make your job easier.
If you have worked with other auto-darkening helmets before performing poorly, this helmet is designed to take the hassle out of manual adjustments.
With its ability to automatically sense the brightness of your arc and darken itself accordingly, welding has never been so seamless. You’ll no longer have to remove your mask to make adjustments before every weld.
The overall style of the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet is something to take note of as well. It is designed with every user in mind, as it comes in a sleek matte black color with a highly protective lens. You won’t have to worry about distracting or obtrusive colors and graphics.
Who Is This Welding Helmet Meant For?
Compared to other welding helmets on the market with the same number of features, the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet is simpler to use. This makes it the perfect option for beginners, as all settings are accessible via the touchscreen.
Advanced welders will also appreciate the streamlined and easy-to-use controls.
This helmet is also designed with comfort in mind, as it features a Halo headgear design. You won’t have to worry about feeling much discomfort if you’re working on long projects where your mask is needed for more than an hour.
It’s also ideal for those who work in industrial environments, as there are a couple of additional features designed for your safety around heavy equipment.
What’s Included?
When you order the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet, you’ll receive a couple of extra items to keep it in its best possible condition.
You will also have two lenses and two extra cover lenses. You may also receive a helmet bag to prevent dust from affecting the sensors.
The only other item that would be convenient to have would be welding gloves. Though you likely already own a pair, it would make the helmet ready to use right out of the box.
You may also want to consider purchasing two extra lithium metal batteries, just in case yours arrives without them.
Overview of Features
This helmet offers the following:
- Auto-darkening: By far, the largest selling point of the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet is that it is auto-darkening. Using the four sensors on the front of the helmet will automatically adjust the shade to the appropriate darkness. The intuitive sensors are well built to where they won’t engage from ambient light.
- Heavy-duty shell: Compared to other welding helmets that appear to be rather low quality and flimsy, this shell is quite impressive without being too heavy. The shell is designed using high-impact-resistant nylon, giving you an added ounce of protection.
- Halo headgear design: Another fantastic feature of the welding helmet is that it has a Halo design for optimal comfort and balance. It’s low-profile to where if the hood is in the upwards position, it gives you maximum head clearance. In addition, there is a five-point adjustable headgear installed in the helmet for a customized fit.
- Large viewing area: The viewing area is far more impressive than with other helmets, measuring at 3.93” by 2.36”. It also has a 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating and a five through 13 ADF.
- Color touch screen: Compared to manual controls, the touch screen on this helmet is the most impressive. All you have to do is select the right settings for optimal precision. There are also eight memory settings that you can use to access your preferred adjustments easily.
- External grind button: If you want to engage the grind feature of the helmet, all you have to do is use the external grind button. This will automatically adjust the lens to shade four.
How to Use It
Using the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet is incredibly simple, which is why it is so popular. The first thing you will have to do before welding is to test all of the different variable shades.
Using the color touch screen, select the appropriate settings to ensure the helmet is ready for use. Once you have achieved your desired settings, you can begin welding immediately. The four sensors on the front of the helmet will automatically detect the arc strike and adjust the darkness of the lens. Once finished, the lens will automatically brighten.
Storing your welding helmet is very important, as you’ll want to make sure it’s kept in a well-lit area. As it is solar-powered, you’ll want to make sure it receives enough sunlight to where it’s ready to use for your next job.
Alternative
A recommended alternative to the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet is the Antra Welding Helmet. It is far less expensive and has plenty of additional features, including:
- Cheater compatible: The Antra Welding Helmet is compatible with both magnifying lenses and cheaters, so you can get the closest view possible.
- Sleep setting: If you forget to turn your helmet on and off, it comes with an intuitive sleep feature. After not being used for a certain time, it will automatically turn off.
Verdict
If the price isn’t a concern and you’re looking for a top-shelf welding helmet, the Esab SENTINEL A50 Welding Helmet is a fantastic option.
With auto-darkening, a convenient touch screen for digital controls, and a very comfortable fit, it’s ideal for professionals and hobbyists alike. It also has a sleek and stylish design highly recommended for any tradesperson.