Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet

Overview

The Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 is a panoramic auto-darkening welding helmet made by Optrel AG of Switzerland, sold under part number 1010.000. Its defining feature is a very light resting state: when the arc is not burning, the filter sits at shade level 2.5, so the welder can see the workpiece, the shop floor and colleagues almost as clearly as through clear safety glasses. The datasheet describes a colour-realistic panoramic view, which combines the main auto-darkening cassette with an extended field of vision around it. When the arc strikes, the filter darkens to the shade selected by the user, either automatically through ShadeTronic between shade 5 and 12 or manually between 7 and 12.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 to fabrication shops, shipyards, pipeline contractors and maintenance teams in Oman and the GCC, together with cover lenses and spare parts, with regional support from Muscat. For employers, a helmet that welders do not need to flip up between welds reduces neck strain and keeps eyes protected during grinding, tacking and inspection.

How the Auto-Darkening Filter Works

As a general principle, an auto-darkening filter (ADF) uses liquid crystal cells between polarising layers. Optical sensors detect the arc, and electronics apply a voltage that rotates the crystals and darkens the lens within a fraction of a millisecond. UV and IR radiation are blocked permanently, whether the filter is dark or light. On the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5, five sensors watch for the arc, and the datasheet gives a light-to-dark switching time of 90 microseconds at room temperature and 70 microseconds at 55 degrees C. UV and IR protection is specified as maximum at any shade setting.

ShadeTronic is Optrel’s function for adjusting the shade automatically to the brightness of the arc, so a welder moving between a low-amp TIG root and a higher-amp fill does not need to stop and change settings. FadeTronic controls the opening delay when the arc stops, adjustable from 0.1 s to 2.0 s, which lets the glowing weld pool cool before the filter returns to the light state. Sensitivity is infinitely variable with a Super High range, useful for very low-amp TIG, and a grinding mode keeps the lens light for grinding work.

Engineering Design of the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5

The cassette measures 90 x 110 x 9.5 mm with a 50 x 100 mm main viewing area, and is protected by a front cover lens and an inner cover lens. Power comes from a 280 mAh lithium-polymer battery with a battery management system, recharged over Micro USB and supported by solar cells, with automatic switch-on and a sleep mode. The datasheet rates the battery for 300 to 500 charging cycles.

The shell is moulded in black PA6.6 and keeps its shape up to 220 degrees C, while the front cover lens is stable to 137 degrees C. The Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 weighs 575 g, or 745 g in the version with powered air purifying respirator (PAPR). It is fitted with the optrel IsoFit headgear. Operating temperature runs from minus 10 to plus 55 degrees C, which covers indoor workshops in the Gulf summer when ventilation is in place.

Key Features

The main characteristics of the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 as listed in the manufacturer technical data are summarised here.

• Light state of shade 2.5 for a clear, colour-realistic view when not welding.
• Automatic ShadeTronic shade 5 to 12, or manual shade 7 to 12.
• Five arc sensors and switching from light to dark in 90 microseconds at 23 degrees C.
• FadeTronic opening delay from 0.1 s to 2.0 s and grinding mode.
• Rechargeable 280 mAh lithium-polymer battery with solar support, auto-on and sleep mode.
• EN 379 classification 1/1/1/2: optical class, scattered light, homogeneity and angular dependence.
• EN 166 class B front and inner cover lenses and EN 175 class B helmet shell.
• Available with PAPR, where the datasheet lists EN 12941 TH3, and in a supplied air version to EN 14594 3B.

Practical Notes on Shade Selection and Care

As general welding guidance, lower shades in the 9 to 10 band are commonly used for low-amp TIG, while higher amperage MIG/MAG, flux-cored and stick work typically calls for shades 11 to 13; the welder should always follow the shade table in the user manual and local safety rules. With the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5, the automatic ShadeTronic mode handles much of this adjustment itself. Cover lenses are consumables: replacing a spattered front lens early keeps the view sharp and protects the cassette, and keeping the battery charged over the Micro USB port avoids interruptions on long shifts.

Industrial Applications

The datasheet approves the helmet for all electric arc welding processes: stick (SMAW), MIG/MAG (GMAW) including high deposition processes, flux-cored wire, TIG (GTAW), plasma and micro plasma welding, plasma cutting and grinding in grind mode. It is explicitly not for oxy-gas or laser welding. In practice that matches the mixed work of pipe spool shops, structural steel yards, tank builders and maintenance crews in Oman, where one welder may tack, weld root and fill passes, and grind in the same shift. The Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 suits that pattern because the lens can stay down throughout.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 and accessories to contractors in Muscat, Sohar, Duqm and Salalah and across the GCC. Many buyers purchase helmets together with machines such as the ESAB Rebel EMP 285ic or the Lincoln Electric Power Wave S500; other helmets and face protection are listed in the welding helmets and face protection category.

Technical Specifications

The following values for the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 are from the Optrel technical data sheet.

Scope of delivery for the Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 is the helmet, manual, storage bag, Micro USB cable, warranty card and one front cover lens.

Call To Action

Contact Seven Star LLC with the quantity of Optrel panoramaxx 2.5 helmets you need, whether you require the PAPR version, and any spare cover lenses, and our Muscat team will prepare a quotation. The manufacturer technical data sheet can be downloaded from this page, and we supply customers throughout Oman and the GCC.