Zippo Lighters and Cameras

[iainfm]

Why are zippo lighters so cool? Do you recommend them? What camera do you guys use which takes good pictures, has good zoom, is sturdy, and is relatively small and lightweight?

 

[Ellis Wyatt]

Just a regular Olympus digital camera for me. It is 5 years old now, about time for a newer one so I can get some better pictures. And yes, Zippos are good lighters, just make sure to fill them up regularly because the lighter fluid evaporates out of them over time.

 

[Bob W]

Not a lighter user, but I do have a new digital pocket camera that zooms and takes decent pictures. It's a Canon PowerShot SD1200IS. Very small and lightweight. Optical zoom to 3X. It's discontinued already though, probably meaning there's a newer and better model available.

My new 'real' camera is a Nikon D5000. Definitely not pocket size, but it zooms as much as you can dream, if you buy the lens.

Something I'd like to try, a compact digital camera with interchangeable lenses, like the Olympus E-P models or new Sony NEX series.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I just really love that "chling" of a Zippo. I've owned a few. I had a plain brass that was engraved with F*** Communism. After the war, I had a plain stainless with F*** Islam. My current Zippo that I've had for the past almost 4 years just fired a cigarette as I'm typing this. I engraved it back in 11-06.

As far as cameras go... my 3gs iphone does all I need.

 

[phaserrifle]

zippo lighters are fine, if you are a smoker, or are using a lighter often (like several times a day). Otherwise it's not really worth the aggro of having to re-fill them every few days. in that case it would either be worth getting a butane insert (Z-plus or thunderbird) so you use butane which doesn't leak, or a different style of lighter (bic disposeable for example)

 

[Steel Talon]

Yes get a zippo, even if you do not smoke. IMHO they are the most dependable lighter there is. In an emergency it can be fueled with a number of different flam liquids. Fuel and flints are readily available you can carry extra flints under the wool insert. Get a leather belt carrier for it and it will always be ready for you.

As for a good affordable digital camera I like the Nikon cool pix line. again have a leather belt carrier made for it and it will always be there

 

[NaturalMystic]

I've got several Zippos that I stopped using for several reasons. Not as "windproof" as I like, fuel evaporates too quickly, sometimes too hard to light, heavier than regular lighters.

As for cameras, I like Canons and have the SD700 IS, SD870 IS, S90, G11.
I also have an old Nikon, the CoolPix 4300 which was my first digital P&S but I switched to Canon because I find their P&S better than Nikon. I've also got a new Pentax Optio still in box, that I'll probably give my brother.
Panasonic also makes really good P&S cameras and I think the best you can get right now are between the Canons and Panasonics.
As far as DSLRs I prefer Nikons and I've got the Nikon D70 and D300, plus thousands of dollars in extra gear - 3 SB800s, studio strobes, lenses, etc.

 

[displacedtexan]

I've never smoked, not a single puff of anything in my life.

I carry a Zippo everywhere. I love the sound, and they are useful to have.

 

[unit311]

I've never smoked, not a single puff of anything in my life.

I carry a Zippo everywhere. I love the sound, and they are useful to have.

You don't know what your missing.

 

[Chirripa]

I picked up a Zippo that is a minature flashlight.
Its a buzz when some one says "Hey mate do you have a light?"
Chirripa.

 

[Moff8]

I got one years ago for my PSK, everytime I wanted to use it the fuel had evaporated. Still love the noise when it opens though. I got a bullet lighter that seals shut for my PSK.

Tam

 

[displacedtexan]

You don't know what your missing.

My grandfather died of lung cancer. Horrible way to die.

 

[the lone gunman]

Zippos are well made, Problem being the fluids are crap anymore. Long time ago you could fill a zippo once a month ,now its every 2-3 days. I have several of them but I carry a Bic now. It always lights and easy to see if its getting low,then toss it and spend another buck for a new one.

 

[drgnclwk]

I don't think a zippo is ideal since the fuel can evaporate pretty quickly, but I find the windproof-ness to work fine for me. A zippo is more of a novelty though imo. A nice alternative is a butane insert to replace normal zippo insert.

 

[NaturalMystic]

I got the Z-Plus butane insert for my one of my full sized Zippos and like most lighters I have with the Electro Quartz Ignition or Piezo ignition (?) it stopped working after a couple months.
Too bad really because I like the Z-Plus.

 

[drgnclwk]

^I actually went with the thunderbird insert instead. It's a soft flame rather than a torch and it still uses a flint and wheel like a regular zippo.

 

[somber]

If you enjoy the sounds from a Zippo, you should definitely look into S.T Dupont lighters as well. They almost leak proof, so you'll keep your fuel longer than a week if you're not a smoker.

 

[NaturalMystic]

^I actually went with the thunderbird insert instead. It's a soft flame rather than a torch and it still uses a flint and wheel like a regular zippo.

I've never heard of the Thunderbird insert before. I guess it's too little too late now though. I've got enough lighters and as of this past Sunday I quit smoking (again). Let's hope this time it's for good. As much as I've enjoyed smoking, I'd be the first to admit that it really is a disgusting habit.
For emergencies, etc, I have a few peanut lighters and Bics in my EDC gear.

 

[b.c.molin]

Any thoughts or opinions on the Zippo BLU version please?

 

[Kermit]

Zippo have an extremely high reputation with me, the factory will restore a broken model always. Life Time Guaranteed, you don't see that very often any more.

They by no means are the holy grail of lighters, more along the lines of massive pewter beer stein that's collected more dents from drunken nights than you can count.