• A welding helmet showcasing the curved glass technology, with a 150 mm curved filter.

    Get wider views in a slimmer helmet.

    We gave professional TIG welders prototypes of helmets with different lens sizes. Their favourite lens size was the curved, 2-to-1 aspect ratio we used for designing the 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Filter G5-02. A wider view was much higher rated than a taller view.*

    And the only way to get wider views without making the helmet wider is by inventing a curved filter.

    * 3M internal data on file.

Which colour tone works best for you?

Work with an even better view and control of your weld puddle. With the new 3M™ Speedglas™ Variable Colour Technology, you can choose between natural (A), cool (B) or warm (C) tones for your dark state. You determine which colour tone provides the best viewing contrast for your welds, and the most comfort for your eyes.

  • A weld seen through an auto-darkening filter, tinted green.

    (A) Dark state 8 at “natural” variable colour level

  • A weld seen through an auto-darkening filter, tinted a cool green-blue.

    (B) Dark state 8 at “cool” variable colour level

  • A weld seen through an auto-darkening filter, tinted a warm red-green hue.

    (C) Dark state 8 at “warm” variable colour level

A welding helmet with a blue auto-darkening filter.

Auto-Darkening Filters

Compare filters   

Improving upon what the welder sees.

Your goal is to weld consistently great welds. Our goal is to provide you with eye and face protection and also improved welding filter optics for better clarity.


How auto-darkening filters work.

Always read and follow all user instructions.

  • The view before a weld through an auto-darkening filter.
    Before

    With the helmet in the safe down position, you have a clear view through the welding filter. Both of your hands are free and the electrode can be precisely positioned.

  • The darkened view during a weld, seen through an auto-darkening filter.
    During

    Within a millisecond of the arc strike, the filter has switched to the dark state.

  • The view after a weld through an auto-darkening filter.
    After

    The filter automatically returns to the clear state after welding is complete, allowing your immediate inspection of the weld pool, and preparation for the next weld.


Auto-Darkening Filter Technologies

Natural Colour Technology toggle

Variable Dark State Colours toggle

Curved Glass Technology toggle


Auto-Darkening Filters

A black, auto-darkening filter.

9100 Passive

Compatible helmets
9100, 9100 QR, 9100-Air, 9100 FX, 9100 FX-Air, 9100MP,
M-407SG,
M-409SG
9002NC 9100, 9100 QR, 9100-Air, 9100 FX, 9100 FX-Air, 9100MP, M-407SG, M-409SG G5-01 G5-02
Approximate viewing area
2.8" x 4.2"
(73 x 107 mm)
2.13" x 4.09"
(54 x 107 mm)
2.1" x 4.2"
(54 x 107 mm)
2.8" x 4.2"
(73 x 107 mm)
2.8" x 4.3"
(73 x 109 mm)
3" x 5.9"
(76 x 150 mm)
3M™ Speedglas™ Natural Colour Technology
         
3M™ Speedglas™ Variable Colour Technology
 
Curved Glass Technology
 
3M™ Speedglas™ Tack Welding Comfort Mode
     
Number of sensors (arc detection)
2 3 4
Dark state
10/11/12/13 8-12 5,8,9-13 8-13 8-14 8-12
Light state
Shade 3 Shade 2.5
UV/IR Protection (permanent)
10/11/12/13 12 13 14 12
External grinding mode control
Yes (only on 9100XXi kit: 06-0000-30i-KIT-CA)

A black, 3M™ Speedglas™ G5-02 Welding Helmet with a curved auto-darkening filter, with a background of the sun rising over a planet.
Learn more

How to choose a welding filter.

  • Work with an even better view and control of your weld puddle. With the new 3M™ Speedglas™ Variable Colour Technology (G5-01VC), you can choose between natural, cool or warm tones for your dark state. You determine which colour tone provides the best viewing contrast for your welds, and the most comfort for your eyes.

  • If yes, you have plenty of models to pick from: all our auto-darkening filters have variable (selectable) dark shades.

  • This is a key decision factor. You might want to also consider your needs for specific dark shade levels, light-to-dark switching sensitivity, and dark-to-light delay options which are features that vary from model to model.

    Recommended shade numbers according to ANSI Z49.1:2012

    Welding process
    Current in amperes (A)
    1.5 6 10 20 30 40 60 80 100 125 150 160 200 225 250 300 350 400 450 500 600 700 800 900 1000
    Shielded Metal Arc
    10 12 14
    Gas Metal Arc Welding
    11 12 14
    Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
    10 12 14
    Air Carbon Arc Cutting
    12 14
    Plasma Arc Welding
    6-8 10 12 14
    Plasma Arc Cutting
    4 5 6 8 9 12 14
    Carbon Arc Welding
    14
      1.5 6 10 20 30 40 60 80 100 125 150 160 200 225 250 300 350 400 450 500 600 700 800 900 1000
  • For many welders, the ability to see more of their workpiece without moving their helmet or head is very important. For these “big picture” people, the G5-02 model provides 100% wider filter field of view compared to our previous largest 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Filter.*


    *G5-02 field of view is compared with 9100XX. An apertometer was used to measure the field of view differences.

  • Then our tack welding comfort mode may be for you. The comfort mode setting may help reduce eye fatigue caused by your eye constantly adjusting to differing light levels during tack welding. It's available on G5-01TW, 9100XX, and 9100X filters.


Related products

  • 3M™ Speedglas™ Helmets — Inspired by your reality.

  • Get additional powered or supplied air respiratory protection.

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