Hi-tech lighters, need help!

V-1

V-1

Joined
Apr 14, 1999
Messages
1,497
Does anyone know were I can find a really nice lighter that has an extremely high temp. flame that can be refilled? I'm late for work so I'll do a search of this forum when I get hoem but in case there isn't anything, thanks for the help.
 
Others may have different experiences but I have yet to find a butane lighter that was reliable in the long run. As MNH said in the thread that Greg referenced, I've got a draw full of non-working butane lighters.

A few years ago, Marlboro was giving away piezoelectric wind-proof lighters as premiums. They worked very well at first but invariably stopped working after a few weeks. I thought the type of lighter had promise & so bought a windproof/waterproof Colibri Quantum all-weather lighter with a rubber armor cover. You probably know what's coming -- it no longer works properly.

Today, I carry a Zippo with a small disposable Bic in the change pocket of my jeans as backup. There may be great hi-tech lighters out there but I'll stick with what I know to work.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
I have had a Windmill lighter (29$ from Impact tactical weapons systems) and I like it alot, reliable, hot burning flame. Too new to tell yet though.
 
Thanks for the help guys. These were exactly what I had in mind. The lighter was going to be a christmas gift for my father but I'm not sure now if I should get him one. Sounds like they will last long enough for my dad to really like it then... stop working. Maybe I'll buy him one and another Zippo for when it goes. Can't beat a Zippo. I still have the one my grandfather carried through WWII. I'm glad I got it. Means allot.
 
I've heard good things about the lighters at http://www.essentialgear.com/ but never used one, myself. They do look cool though
smile.gif
 
I have to side with the Zippo carriers of the world. Nothing says I'm proud to be an American more so than a Zippo.

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
I've tried those torch lighters, they're a lot of fun. And I had one once that looked and opened like a Zippo, but once opened there is a button, hold the button down for a torch, let it go for a normal flame, close the cover to turn it off. But every one of those just stopped working for no easily fixable reason.

I carry 2 lighters always, and I smoke a lot so I use my lighter more often than just about anything else I carry. I carry a Zippo and a disposable Bic. These are the only 2 reliable lighters I have found.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
I bought a Colibri Quantum about a year ago and carried it every day. Some of the things that sucked about it were that it was expensive ($100), the lid got in the way sometimes, and I came to the realization that unless you are trying to light something to smoke (which I don't), then you really would be better off with a lighter that has a flame. Then around the fourth of July my cousin stuck a sparkler down into the barrel of the lighter in an attempt to light it, destroying the platinum lighting coil in the process. It is currently in for repair under warrenty. Since then I have been carrying a black bic with a 1/4 wide rubber band wrapped twice around the handle for traction. So, the lesson is save your money. When I get the lighter back I will probably sell it and stick with the bic.
 
I have a cheap IMCO lighter that I really like. More on the Zippo side of the low-tech spectrum. I have found evporation rate better on the IMCO than the Zippo. Got mine for $13 Canadian. I think they may be getting rare, but I'm not sure. The only problem is the flint consumption - the agressive wheel and feeding spring EAT flint. I pack two extra in the cylinder so I don't worry too much. The way it's designed ensures fire up almost 100% of the time. No failures yet. They're based on army lighters that used to be made from shell casings (is this true? that's what I've been told).

RLR
 
Got a Brunton Helios a few weeks ago and so far it does all that they said it would. It is absolutely wind proof and burns hot as the blazes. They do say not to keep it lit for over 10 seconds and not to touch the element. I can live with these conditions. I will keep you updated.

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Hoah! (Its an Army thing!)
 
OK, I've had my 29$ Windmill lighter now for a coupla months, and I can say it works really well, especially in the wind. It's a keeper, and I would recommend it.
 
I got a Colibri Quantum about 8 years ago and it's still working like the day it came out of the box. Go figure. And I think it was under $50 at the time.
 
I thought the "pocket rockets" that got passed out at a party I went to were pretty sweet
smile.gif
It was shaped like a propane torch and had a real hot flame for a butane lighter, sounded like a little jet. They were pretty far from reliable though
frown.gif


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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.
 
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