Waterproof Lighters: Opinions on Solo Storm

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diletante

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Mar 20, 2002
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I'm thinking about getting a Solo Storm waterproof lighter to replace the Bic I usually carry hiking. Has anyone used one of these? If so what is your opinion of it?

You can get them for less than $10 online. They are 3" x 1.75" x .5" and weigh 1.6 oz. They are supposed to be windproof (torch style flame) waterproof and refillable. The manufacturer also claims "The U.S. Armed Forces selected the "Storm" for its reliable use in extreme weather conditions."
 
i have carried an alaskan guide lighter from cabella which is similar to what you are talking about, have had no trouble with it for 7 years, and have used it in alaska, africa, wyoming, from below zero to 100 above. just keep it full of gas, and it works.


laex
 
I have one,must say that its merites are soso you must use a top quality butane fuel or the nozzel will have a tendacy to clog. Mine doesnt always lite with the first try. I cant comment on its lighting abilities in high wind, or how water proof it is. I still come back to my RONSEN EURO ,just a better user to me. and believe it or not it lites 98% of the time on the first try! Just my own personal opinion. I find lighter hype than truthful fact alot of times in advertisements
 
I have one. It looked like a good, inexpensive solution. I gues lighters and flashlights are like blades. Save up and buy the best you can.

I dunked it (sealed) in 3"of water for approx 1 minute. It got wet inside. I figure it'll get a lot more than this in a fall into a stream or creek, etc. while in my pants pocket.

I shook the lighter off on the way out side to test it in our 40-50 mph gusts here today. It would not light - I assumed because of the dampness, so I brought it in and used canned air. I still don't know about wind however, since the dunking seems to have done it in.

IIRC it's "guaranteed" to work, so if it dosen't fire up again I guess I'll report back on their warantee/service dept.
 
After observing for a few strikes, I noticed that the peizo was flaming (after I dried the lighter off.) I turned the pressure down to minimum and it did light.

I needed to sheild it with my hand for the initial light, but after that the lighter did well in the gusts.
 
I'm getting the Solo Storm for my birthday. If it doesn't preform as advertised, maybe I'll spring for the Windmill Lighter a/k/a Cabelas "Alaskan Outfitter All Weather Lighter" based on alco141's experience. Once again, it appears you get what you pay for.
 
I have one of the Windmills. I got the glow-in-the-dark model for about $20 from Sportsman's Guide. It garage tested fine when I got it, but I haven't had it out in the real world yet. Actually, I'm not sure where I put it. I think it's in my truck kit, although I intended to use it for camping. I figured the g-i-t-d feature might come in handy in a darkened shelter or on a moonless night. I'm planning a shake-down weekend of some new gear next month, and I'll try to remember to take it along. I'll share my results then.
 
My sister gave me two of these. I haven't filled them yet, so I can't evaluate their performance, but they are most definitely NOT waterproof. The o-ring is purely cosmetic on the two examples I have because the cap does not close tightly against them--there is a visible gap you can blow air through. A quick test under the faucet showed they are not even very water resistant--forget about submersion :( I'm buying a Windmill.
 
I have one of these lighters also, I have found one bad thing about them. The gas resivor is very small so you have to refill it often it would not be good in a surivivol sense. I have solderd with it, did a good job.
 
but I can't say I'm too thrilled with it. It's fine inside, but outside is another story. Can anyone recommend a truly weatherproof lighter, one that they have actually used in unfavorable conditions?
 
I've got one of these Cabelas Match Cases. They're also marketed under the Silva brand (they've got a button compass in the plug). They're larger than many lighters about 1" x 3" but have a double o-ring seal and are guaranteed to 2,000 feet. I just wish they made a smaller one that could be worn on a neck lanyard with an SAK Outrider, ARC AAA LED light and modified Fox 40 whistle.
 
I am interested in this thread as I've tried a few of these torch style lighters and have been disappointed. My test doesn't usually have to involve wind or water, just light the thing and let it run for 15 or more seconds - make believe you are trying to heat something... What I find is that after only a short time, the outlet valve heats up to a point where the flame either blows out (even on a low setting), or it won't light again immediately until it cools down.

If I'm going to buy a torch style lighter, I want it to work like a torch at least to the limit of its fuel supply. Someone above said they could solder with this one, so maybe it is OK in this regard, but the other criticisms seem to rule it out anyway...

Anyone got a link to the "windmill"? Would that pass the torch test?
 
LINK The Windmill's cap also opens 180 degrees compared to 90 degrees for the Solo Storm. Being able to get the cap out of the way is nice.

When I was at Ft. Knox in the '80s, there was a store off post (a Brigade Quartermaster or Cav. Store I think) had some little torch-style lighters like the Blazer that had a screw on cap with a rubber o-ring. They were expensive but were clearly geared more toward water resistance than ease of use.
 
I've always stuck with mini bics because I break lighters fast. I'm a smoker so use mine all the time. Windmill lighters lasted two months and the Storm less. Any with wire heat filaments are crap in my book. Here are two that work, though I am still not sure how weather proof they are but they are tougher than most. Lighters need protection; they are not phosphorus grenades. All the jet lighters use fuel fast but then how long is your trip going to be? Not for the survival tin. Anyway you should carry several fire making means, even when you don't smoke. Truthfully I've given up on matches.

Pocket Micro Torch, www.iwantoneofthose.com. Bulky but I think I saw Ray Mears using one. Never got round to getting one but I think I ought to.

American Buyers inc, saw them at the Shot Show with Guns&Ammo 12 Gauge shot gun cartridge gismo lighter. My freebee has worked flat out since. Similarish jet system to the Micro Torch. Build quality high and comes with a lanyard. I'll try to find the link.
 
I was trying to replace the Mini-Bic that I carry stuck burner down in a short piece of bicycle inner tube on a neck lanyard. The size is right and if you want to weather proof it, you can stick it in the inner tube burner-up (taking care that the fuel button is not depressed). It's always handy and I can just yank it out of the inner tube when I want to use it. Maybe I won't replace it after all.
 
Well the blazer people at http://www.hill.u-net.com/ claim to have what I want, that being a torch style lighter that can actually work as a torch and won't fail because the flame is on for a while. They are very expensive though (relatively speaking), but I went ahead and ordered one for evaluation..

Thanks for the pointer
 
Mathew, that's a great looking gadget. Try it out and let us know how it works for you.
 
Thats the one :) it had better work.

I've used pen sized gas soldering irons before to light fires. They don't have an ignition system so you have to light them. They make you very lazy because you think you don't have to take the care to build your fire correctly. After a few failures, fire lights - fire goes out, you realise you may as well do the job properly.

Do tell us how how it goes.
 
Got the Blazer ( http://www.hill.u-net.com/ ). Expensive, but it does what I wanted. Flame will stay on for long periods and still light again instantly. The torch head is designed to run hot if necessary. Nice little toy, but you have to be careful lighting ordinary things like cigaretts or pipes with it. Tendency is to hold the flame too close. Tried this on a pipe (tobacco) and accidentally vaporized most of the tobacco clear down to the bottom of the bowl!
 
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