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Re:How to Get Started in Soldering for Beginners by nibbleshifter on Monday April 10, 2023 @02:58PM (#35515977)
There's an exception, IMO, for safety critical items in sports.

I've seen so many people show up at climbing walls with cheap carabiners from amazon/etc that aren't rated for climbing, but when you view the listing all the images show climbing.

Re:How to Get Started in Soldering for Beginners by toss1 on Tuesday April 11, 2023 @09:58AM (#35525238)
OMG YES! I wasn't thinking of that aspect.

Absolutely, for safety gear, get only top notch equipment!!!

Safety gear turns many incidents from something like notifying your family or waking up wondering "why can't I remember or see anything" to something like "damn, that's a huge dent in that helmet" or "so much for those goggles".

I've heard participating in a number of sports:

"If you only have a $10 head, then sure, get a $10 helmet ..."

. . . Indeed, I would NEVER buy any safety-related gear from Amazon or AliBaba. I know too much about Chinese manufacturing, focused entirely on profit, and quality is literally a foreign concept to them. , and that doesn't even start to mention the scams, where they not only illustrate climbing, but falsely claim ratings. I work in carbon fiber design & fabrication, and will never even buy a bicycle made in China, even from a top US company.

Just don't do it. Saving a few dozen or hundred dollars or euro is not worth the extra risk.

Re:How to Get Started in Soldering for Beginners by nibbleshifter on Tuesday April 11, 2023 @03:18PM (#35529982)
With helmets, I won't even buy them online - because I can't fit check them, and reputable retailers won't take returns of helmets.

Its cheaper to buy a helmet online, but it is generally better to pay the extra 10-15% and try the fucking thing on in a shop, ensure it fits, etc.

Some manufacturers (Mammut, for example) only really offer one or two sizes, others offer a variety.