Safety of ebay helmets and branded equivalents?

[visor_down]

Hi

I know there have been threads on the merits of both options ebay vs branded, however my q relates to the standard of the UV/IR filter specifically.

I am looking for an ADF helmet and have had a look at loads online, I was planning to buy branded
but I have noticed that a lot of the branded helmets have a part number that when put into google brings up the usual Chinese export co's that would appear to distribute them from the manufacturer over there. So no surprises, but a few of the 'branded' ones are just badged up imports.

I was then swayed towards ebay helmets, as you seem to be able to get a fully featured helmet for around £50, BUT with only one set of eyes I don't want to find in a few years that the UV/IR filter isn't up to standard. I appreciate they are CE/ANSI marked however I am sure there is little regulation on stamping this on abroad.
Does anyone know of a way you can test the UV/IR filter is working at home? (I do not mean the ADF part which you can test with a light, I mean the UV/IR coating)

Although some of the branded helmets have the chinese filters, I figure they would have a lot more to lose than an ebay seller if the product is found to be inferior on the safety aspect of the ADF, does anyone know of a UK brand that completes CE certification their end as opposed to relying on the importer?
Also 3M Uvex/optrel aside, does anyone know of any other reputable brands? I am after one with an XL view ideally and replaceable batteries. sub £100
At the mo considering SWP Eliminator XV and Rtec Speedmaster XL.

 

[BrokenBiker]

you can get decent lids from weld equip for less than a ton. Not sure how to test uv but ive had my cheap (£12) ebay special for 3 years now and not once have i had any symptoms of arc eye or any tanning on my face. It works just as well as my r-tech

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think I would be confident to suggest the lens in the R-Tech is no better or worse than the ebay one's and probably the identical lens to some of them.

R- Tech may though check the CE stamp is genuine, the problem with a lot of the imported stuff is the fact it is no more than a stuck on label.

I have used an ebay cheap mask for 3 years and all seems fine, never noticed any sign of sore or tired eyes even after days when I did a lot of welding.

However when it finally gives up the ghost I will buy something a bit better to obtain a better quality shell and more robust comfortable headband.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

All (even pound land sunglasses) are uv proof. Any type of lens or screen will block uv and ir. Our gaffer makes us all wear specs round the shop to stop you getting arc eye from flashes. The brightness will dazzle you for a min but no harm done. Same story as you can't get sunburnt in a car.

 

[Daz1968]

I have also used a cheap eBay helmet for a good few years and have never had a problem, if I was welding for a living I would by better one probably a speedglas but mainly because the spares are readily available.

 

[Sean]

its the rest of the helmet that shows its price - the flip up mech wears and the headband slips one screw tightens the other loosens and falls out etc