Are cheap autodark helmets safe?

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I bought an autodark helmet from Lowes Home Improvement. It's their Kobalt brand.  Which means it's probably some Chinese generic model that everybody sells cheap.  Probably the same as harbor freight etc.  I liked it because it had some good features.  It's darkens from 9 to 13, so I can torch with it, charges with a solar cell, and never has to be turned on.  Are there any safey risks with UV with the cheaper models?  There would be nothing worse than to hurt my eyes just because I was trying to save a buck.Thanks,Adam
Reply:No, there should not be any UV safety risks.  They may not work as well or have as fast a reaction time, but that's about it.
Reply:As long as it says some were on there OSHA ANSI approved your fine.
Reply:Lowe's also sells the Lincoln hoods.  The Lincoln ones I have seen there are made by Jackson.  Jackson are very good auto hoods, no chinese junk.  The price on them at Lowe's is good too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:yes they are safe
Reply:I have used the cheaper type of helmets for a few years, not wanting to spend big bucks, as it's never long before someone drops something on it. Some of them stopped working before something got dropped on them, but other than that I had no problem with them.However I've just changed companies and I'm more bench welding now, the first day I was there they issued me with a brand new Optrel Orion. I'll tell you what I'll never buy a cheap helmet again.
Reply:You'll get a lot of different opinions here, but mine is:I don't gamble with my eyes, since they cannot be replaced.  Cheap hoods are often made in China, and other countries where they have no or few quality standards.  I don't mind a chinese wrench, but I don't depend on a wrench to protect my eyes.For all you know, the delay of the cheap hoods is 4 times as long as a good name brand.  I've been welding for over 20 years, and do not need glasses.  I do not use auto darkening hoods.  I think that says a lot.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Lowe's also sells the Lincoln hoods.  The Lincoln ones I have seen there are made by Jackson.  Jackson are very good auto hoods, no chinese junk.  The price on them at Lowe's is good too.
Reply:Originally Posted by Josh705As long as it says some were on there OSHA ANSI approved your fine.
Reply:I bought one of the cheap adjustable ones off ebay when I got my 115v mig a while ago. Being my first welder I thought it was fine and seemed to work well enough. It just stopped turning on the other day and I ordered a Tig about the same time so I figured it was time to upgrade. I ordered a 3m/hornell speedglas and the difference in clarity and reaction time was amazing well worth the extra 60 bucks or so I paied. -Chris