The Lincoln VIKING 3350 welding helmet is one of the most popular models now, especially in terms of value for money. As someone who has been using this hood for a few years now, I admire its robust build, easy-to-adjust auto-darkening system, and practical design for any welder. However, as with any product, it has both pros and cons.
So, I decided to review the Lincoln 3350 auto-darkening welding helmet to provide you with a thorough understanding of its PERFORMANCE based on our experience, helping you determine whether it is worth your money.
The Verdict: Evaluating the VIKING 3350
Having used the Lincoln Electric VIKING 3350 for years in my welding shop, I can confidently assert that it remains one of the best welding helmets in 2024. For beginners seeking a reliable hood that’s comfortable, user-friendly, easy to adjust, and offers OUTSTANDING VISUAL CLARITY, it certainly is a fantastic choice. While there are a few minor drawbacks, its numerous advantages significantly outweigh them.
Advantages
The helmet’s ergonomic design made my long welding sessions more bearable, as it sits comfortably on the head without causing any strain.
A large wide-angle auto-darkening lens with total control for shade, sensitivity, and delay.
Alongside the standard #9 to #13 shade range, the helmet offers a lighter range of shades (#5 to #8), providing flexibility for various welding, cutting, and grinding tasks.
The helmet’s settings are straightforward to adjust, even for beginners, allowing for quick and hassle-free customization.
With a rating of 1/1/1/1, this helmet offers unparalleled visual clarity, enhancing welding precision and reducing eye strain.
Disadvantages
Although Lincoln resolved most issues with this hood, the replaceable CR2450 coin battery could have a little longer lifespan. Over a two-year period, we used four batteries for heavy welding at our shop. However, this should not be a problem with most. We followed these steps for a successful replacement every time.
These user reviews are the proof of how value-for-money the Lincoln 3350 welding helmet is:
Sturdy Material and Reliable Durability
Let’s start with the aspects you’ll first notice when picking up the helmet – its material and sturdiness. The shell feels like polycarbonate, giving the helmet a robust and sturdy feel. This is reassuring when you pick up the helmet or pull it over your face. The Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 is available in both matte and glossy finishes with various colors, each offering a sleek look for a welding helmet.
In terms of durability, I wouldn’t say the helmet is unbreakable, but my VIKING 3350 has withstood the test of time and rigorous use, proving it’s quite resilient. While it may get a bit battered with rough handling and heavy use, it should still perform its job effectively.
Ergonomics, Comfort, And User-Friendly Design
Now, let’s focus on the practical aspects of this helmet. One of its standout features is its ergonomic design, which offers remarkable comfort. The spacious interior ensures a snug fit, while the head strap includes front padding for extra comfort.
What truly sets the Lincoln Electric VIKING 3350 apart are the two padded straps on top of your head. This feature significantly reduces forehead pressure, minimizing fatigue during long welding sessions.
When I lent the helmet to trainees at our workshop, they found it exceptionally easy to use. The controls are intuitive, with clearly marked knobs and a toggle for switching between shade ranges #5 to #8 and #9 to #13. Check this shade chart to find out what’s suitable for your application.
Overall, this helmet excels in comfort and convenience, making it a top choice for both novice and experienced welders.
How Did Lincoln Viking 3350 Welding Helmet Perform?
So far so good, but how is its performance? Is it good enough for professional welding work? Let’s find out.
Superb Auto-darkening And A Versatile Shade Range
The 4C auto-darkening lens works pretty well, with a quick reaction time. It performed so well that I never had to replace it. The lens doesn’t look very different from other premium auto-darkening lenses on the market when the dark shade is activated. The only difference I noticed is that this lens has a green-blue tint.
In regards to the auto-darkening feature, one of my favorite features is that the Lincoln Viking 3350 welding mask comes with two shade ranges. In addition to the standard #9 to #13 DIN ratings, you can also toggle to a #5 to #8 range for low-amperage processes, like TIG welding, cutting, and grinding. This is a huge plus, especially if you have to use different welding techniques regularly.
Decent Sensor Performance With Sufficient Adjustability
The helmet is equipped with four arc sensors, which I find excellent for professional welding in busy workshops like mine. These sensors work exceptionally well, almost never failing to catch a flash. You can easily adjust its sensitivity using the dial on the exterior according to your needs, so there’s no need to worry about the lens darkening every time someone around you strikes an arc.
Additionally, the delay setting knob comes in handy when the welding task requires you to take small breaks to adjust your position.
Wide Viewing Angle
The Viking 3350 helmet boasts a 12.5 square inch auto-darkening lens, offering a wide viewing angle that ensures you have a clear field of vision, especially in the VERTICAL direction. This means you won’t need to keep turning your head to see what you’re working on.
Liam, one of our welders, has found this feature particularly helpful for maintaining the hood’s position during welding, especially on larger projects.
Excellent 1/1/1/1 Clarity Of Lincoln Viking 3350
Another compelling reason to consider this welding helmet is its outstanding optical performance. Rated at 1/1/1/1, it offers the highest level of clarity ever achievable in a welding hood.
Optical clarity is crucial for welding lenses and is assessed based on four key parameters: OPTICAL CLASS, LIGHT DIFFUSION, LIGHT HOMOGENEITY, and ANGLE DEPENDENCE. Each parameter is graded from 1 to 3, with 1 indicating the best and 3 the worst. (learn more here)
I’d also like to point out that the lens clarity is particularly more useful when you are NOT welding. You might be wondering, “How does this benefit me?”
Well, it’s quite significant. Having a clear view before and after striking the arc allows for greater precision during welding. I discovered that the Lincoln VIKING 3350 provides a clear with its 4C lens view even in shaded areas, eliminating the need to lift the helmet as I would with other models.
Uncompromised Safety
When it comes to safety, this welding hood leaves little room for complaints. Featuring an excellent auto-darkening mechanism, four precise arc sensors, and improved headgear, it effectively shields your eyes from arc flash while ensuring comfort.
And guess what? It also provides coverage for the top of your head, and you can easily use different accessories for additional protection at the back if necessary (example: glare guard).
Additional Settings For More Convenience
Among the 30+ welding helmets we have tested so far, this is one of the best in terms of the grind mode function. Though we have now more advanced helmets for welding, some of our welders still use it every day because it is much easier to use.
Previously, we had an earlier model of this hood that lacked any indicator for when the grind mode was turned on. Thanks to Lincoln Electric, this issue has been addressed in the upgraded K3034-4 VIKING 3350, which now features a blinking LED indicator, resolving the problem.
I’m not a fan of the grind mode button placement, though – it’s pretty easy to accidentally turn on grind mode while you think you just switched off the helmet. However, I found that you can easily unplug the lens’s connection to the button in case you don’t use grind mode.
Also Read: How To Use Lincoln Viking 3350?
Easy Cleaning, Maintenance, And Storage
One of the aspects I truly appreciate about the VIKING 3350 is how easy it is to maintain and keep clean. Its design allows for quick wipes when needed. Both the transparent cover lens and the ADF unit inside are easily removable, making cleaning them a swift task after welding. This feature is especially beneficial, as welders often postpone cleaning due to time constraints.
Storage shouldn’t be a hassle either, as the helmet is the same size as most auto-darkening hoods and fits in any standard welding helmet bag. If you’re not ready to invest in a dedicated bag yet, ensure to store the helmet in a clean, dry place, away from dust.
Should You Buy Lincoln Electric Viking 3350?
To be honest, this helmet SURPRISED me – I wasn’t expecting such high performance from it, especially considering its simple appearance. Its optical clarity is a major strength, enabling precise welding. The ease of use, especially when adjusting the settings, makes it ideal for professionals starting out. While I’m comfortable with either, beginners might find the knob-based adjustment easier than a digital control panel.
Another unique feature worth highlighting is its ability to switch between two DIN shade ranges (5-8, and 9-13). This flexibility ensures you can set the ADF to the perfect shade for maximum visibility without compromising safety for any welding, cutting, or grinding tasks.
Considering everything, I’d strongly recommend it unless you require specific features not included in this helmet. It offers great value for its performance, and I’m confident you won’t regret purchasing it.
Alternatives To Viking 3350
While this welding hood is amazing, there are still areas where other helmets in the market might fare better. Here are some of the most suitable alternatives to the VIKING 3350 that I handpicked for you:
- 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100: Lightweight and durable, this helmet from 3M is even more comfortable than the Lincoln Electric VIKING. It also features side windows that allow you to use your peripheral vision, which is a big plus.
- ESAB Sentinel A50: Yet another welding helmet with 1/1/1/1 optical clarity, the ESAB Sentinel A50 features glove-friendly buttons and a large viewing area. The ESAB OpTCS True Color Lens Technology used in this hood helps reduce eye fatigue when working for long hours.
- Miller Digital Elite Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet: The Miller Digital Elite looks kind of similar to the VIKING 3350 on the exterior but is a lot more sophisticated. Not only does it come with a digital control panel, but Miller’s patented electromagnetic arc detection sensors work wonders when welding in bright environments.
It has been a long while since the Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 first came out, and plenty of newer welding helmets have been launched in the meantime. However, it still remains one of my all-time favorites in 2024 – one that I can confidently recommend, especially for new welders.
