Lower priced generators are known to have poor frequency control which can fry out circuit boards. What are you going to do in an emergency situation if your circuit board frys out. It seems to me like in a SHTF situation that gas may be old or of poor quality, you may need to travel light, or to a remote area. A couple of car batteries and jumper cables or a ready welder have a lot less things to go wrong and are a lot more portable. A ready welder is also a great addition to a home shop to augment a stick welder for mig, or as a spool gun for aluminum. Readywelder.com | There's nothing like it!
You make a good point. The boards on the low end welders are not up to the task sometimes as well as the low end gennys. I realize that budgets are an issue and folks shop for pricing. I have a miller 115 V unit and a Honda genny. These were not acquired for prep. as I use the snot out of them. I try and stay away from stick welding if possible