The 3M™ Speedglas™ 9100 FX Air with the award-winning Adflo™ PAPR launched in 2011 and quickly became established as the professional welder’s respiratory welding helmet of choice. Since then, the helmet has been used within thousands of businesses to effectively shape and build Australia and New Zealand over the last 11 years.
And now, the Speedglas G5-01 TW Welding Helmet has arrived! This helmet enters the market as a new and improved version of the 9100 FX Air, launched to make the best even better at the exact same price point.
So how exactly do the helmets compare? Let’s begin with what sets the G5-01 TW apart from the FX Air:
What are the key differences between the G5-01 TW and 9100 FX Air?
Firstly, the G5-01 TW effectively improves upon all the signature elements of the FX Air, including a 15% larger flip-up grinding visor (170 x 104mm), a slimmer, more ergonomic design, and 50% longer Adflo™ battery runtime (12 hours rather than 8).
The helmet also has a stack of new technology to offer relative to the FX Air, including Climate Control to freely adjust the amount and direction of airflow inside the helmet. The G5-01 TW welding visor can be removed altogether to reduce the overall weight of the helmet by over 35% for non-welding applications, and is just as easy to reattach!
Extra head and neck protection can customise the helmet to meet specific requirements, from fluorescent yellow for higher visibility to leather for increased durability. An optional helmet-mounted task light runs off the Adflo battery to provide hours of powerful lighting in poorly lit spaces. The G5-01 TW lens is even Bluetooth® enabled, so lens settings can be changed remotely without the need to remove the helmet and compromise your respiratory protection.
Lastly, the Speedglas G5-01 TW presents a Tack Welding Mode never before seen in a Speedglas helmet. The lens uses an intermediate shade 5 light state to help minimise eye strain during extended tack welding applications with rapid transitions from dark to light to dark again. This in turn ensures a smoother dark-light transition and more comfortable overall welding experience.
What are the similarities?
As aforementioned, the G5-01 TW enters the market at the same price point as the 9100 FX Air: meaning the additional features outlined above come at no added cost!
It is also important to note that despite these improved features, the Speedglas G5-01 TW and the FX Air share the same core parts. This makes the switch even easier to manage if you’re thinking about upgrading!
Below is a breakdown of the spare parts that the two helmets have in common:
SAME:
DIFFERENT:
As you can see, the core consumables requiring the most regular turnover (cover lenses, filters) are the same. This in turn will ensure there aren’t complications or added expenses for a workplace where welders are using different Speedglas respiratory helmets.
How can I upgrade?
If you are a current Adflo user, the easiest and most economical way to upgrade to the new Speedglas G5-01 TW is to purchase the Upgrade Kit, which contains the headtop and lens, and attach it to your existing respirator. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of the new Speedglas G5-01 TW and keep your Adflo PAPR!
