TECMEN Welding Helmets: A game-changer in respiratory protection

At Weldready, we’re always on the lookout for affordable high-quality welding solutions that bring real value to Canadian welders. That’s why we’re excited to introduce TECMEN welding helmets and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) to our product offering.

With over 40 years of R&D in high-end PPE, TECMEN is already trusted by welders across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Tecmen has finally entered North America, and is quickly gaining ground! Their FreFlow PAPR welding helmet system is CSA approved and offers top-tier safety while meeting three core needs: Perfect lens clarity, all-day comfort, and consistent clean airflow. Best of all, it comes at a reasonable price point with affordable replacement parts.

If you're familiar with the 3M Speedglas G5-01, you know it has long been considered a gold standard in PAPR welding protection. If you are familiar with the Optrel Crystal, you know it has long been considered the gold standard in lens quality. TECMEN is offering a product that takes the best of the two biggest names in PAPRS, and merges them into one outstanding product; the Tecmen TM1000 with 950D digital ADF and FreFlow Pro Blower.

Tecmen 950D Digital Lens

Bluetooth App: Connect to your lens using the Smart ADF app. The app can be used to switch between weld, grind, cut, smart, and mix mode without having to remove your helmet. It can also be used to adjust shade level, sensitivity, delay, and store settings to memory. The app is especially handy for PAPR applications where removing the helmet to change settings can be annoying.

Auto-Shade Adjusting Smart Mode: Say goodbye to manual adjusting of shade level. With smart mode, the ADF monitors the arc in real time, and automatically adjusts shade level by the millisecond to stay in synch with the arc. This greatly enhances clarity of the weld puddle when TIG welding, as the helmet micro-adjusts shade level as amperage is adjusted mid-weld This feature is also a big plus for PAPR applications, as the hood does not need to be removed to change shade level.

Tack-Weld Optimized Mix Mode: When welding in mix mode, the ADF has a longer and more gradual return from dark to light state which greatly reduces eye strain when tack welding or stitch welding, especially in high amperage applications. When welding in mix mode, the return to the light state has three phases: delay from dark to intermediate shade, gradient phase (this is when you would re-ignite your arc), delay from intermediate shade to light state.

Memory Mode: Quicky and easily save and recall your preferred settings to one of three memory slots. Save time when switching jobs or tasks. Multiple users can store their own settings when using the Smart ADF app.

Dark Mode: Makes the helmet function as a fixed shade passive lens. This is ideal for situations in narrow spaces where sensors are obstructed, welding with extremely weak arcs, or when multiple welders are nearby.

Weld Mode: If you want to use your helmet the same as any standard auto-darkening helmet, this is the mode for you. Shade levels are adjustable in half shade increments from 9.0-15.0, which makes it suitable for welding at all amperage ranges. Sensitivity is adjusted from 0-5, and delay from 0-10.

Flip-Up Grind Shield Switch between welding and non-welding tasks by flipping up the lens to reveal a large grinding shield. This is ideal for those that perform a full spectrum of metal fabricating tasks, and not just welding.

Perfect 1/1/1/1 Optical Clarity Rating: The 950D ADF achieves a perfect score across all optical clarity metrics. There is absolutely nothing that could be improved on, optical clarity is perfect with no visible distortion.

XL True Color Viewing Area: With a 107 x 75mm (4.21" x 2.95") viewing area, and epic true color experience, this lens will have you wondering how you survived on your old helmet for so long. The lens offers a super low shade level of 2.5 in the light state, which means weld seams and surroundings will be crystal clear. In the dark state the true color lens ensures stark contrast between the work, the weld puddle, and the arc which ultimately results in superior welds.

Shade 5 Side Windows: Stay aware of your surroundings with tinted side windows. Retaining visibility and awareness of your surroundings is a critical safety feature, especially in high traffic environments, or applications where you are surrounded by other welders. Welders need to know when it is safe to take the hood off without getting flashed. Blackout covers are included in the box for those that prefer total darkness in the hood. 

High Visibility Digital Controls: Settings are changed with buttons that can be pressed while wearing welding gloves, and settings are clearly displayed on a high resolution color display. This is valuable for old tired eyes, and low light situations, as it nearly eliminates the likelihood that a user applied incorrect settings due to old worn dials with small, hard-to-read numbers.

Tecmen FreFlow Pro Blower:

TH3 Certified P3 Filtration: Breath the cleanest air possible thanks to a TH3 certified P3 filter that achieves 99.997% efficiency. This means only 0.003% of contaminants make it through the filter!

Full Color Digital Display: Information such as battery life, filter life, and air flow rate are clearly displayed on a full color digital screen. No fumbling around trying to determine what a series of blinking lights means like you would on the competitions products!

NFC Smart Filter Monitoring: Each individual filter includes an NFC tag that is used to track and monitor filter life. Total usage hours is clearly displayed on the digital display. A meter showing filter status slowly fills as your filter becomes clogged.

Here's what welders have to say:

"I never give 5 stars but this unit is awful close. Easily on par with the high end 3M units at a portion of their price. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this setup to someone (business or friend) looking to upscale their welding equipment."  — J. David M.

"Best PAPR welding helmet for best price

I have been a professional welder for over 30 years and I have never owned such an amazing helmet. The lens is sharp and clear and the helmet is more comfortable than the 3M super expensive equivalent. I recommend this shield to any professional welder , your lungs will thank you for it. Also the consumables are much cheaper than the competition." — Eric

Final verdict

If you are looking for maximum protection, comfort and clarity, the TECMEN welding helmet PAPR system offers a compelling alternative to 3M—at a more accessible and reasonable price point. 

Ready to upgrade?

Browse our TECMEN and 3M PAPR selection, or reach out to our team for personalized recommendations. Email sales@weld-ready.ca to get started.