Welding helmet from Lowes

[SHORT KID]

Was looking at welding helmets at Lowes today. Was wondering if anyone has that Kobalt # sgya11? It is a variable shade auto darkening for $99.98. My Horrible Freight auto darkening is several years old and the ratchet adjuster seems to be stripped, so I am always looking. Seems to be good for the price, comes with extra outer lenses, batteries and bag and has a grind mode and a cheater can be added if needed. Anyone using one of these, and what do you think of it? I don't weld that much but I am practicing tig. So far I manage to glue most of my problems around here, together. Thanks in advance.

 

[msmith]

I have never tried the Kobalt so I can't honestly speak on it's behalf. I will say this though...I got a wild hair one day a few years ago, maybe ten, and ordered this in silver K601 Optrel Satellite Welding Helmet | eBay. I don't regret it at all. NEVER needs batteries, has several settings including a grinding mode. I love it, and even though it was expensive, every time I pick it up I do not regret getting it.

 

[dzljon]

The kobalt hood is good for the price if you would like a Longevity Powerview Elite I can hook you up for not much more

 

[Arc weld]

I have never tried the Kobalt so I can't honestly speak on it's behalf. I will say this though...I got a wild hair one day a few years ago, maybe ten, and ordered this in silver K601 Optrel Satellite Welding Helmet | eBay. I don't regret it at all. NEVER needs batteries, has several settings including a grinding mode. I love it, and even though it was expensive, every time I pick it up I do not regret getting it.

I think Optrel satellites use a battery but when it dies, there's no way to replace it because the two pieces are epoxied together.

 

[Big Barn]

I think Optrel satellites use a battery but when it dies, there's no way to replace it because the two pieces are epoxied together.

I can attest to that. Bought one 14 years ago and another one last year came with a used welder I bought from a friend. YouTube shows varying success with breaking open the battery cases. Saved the ratcheting headgear and threw the rest away.

My LWS won't sell them anymore for that reason.

Terry