Bruton Firestorm

The firestorm is a weatherproof lighter by Brunton. The lighter measures 3.3'' x 1.8'' and weights 1.6 ounces.

The ignition is piezoelectric and should be good for over 30.000 ignitions, the fuel is butane refillable as expected. The flame should be able to resist winds up to 80 mph.

The lighter has a threaded cap with an o-ring to make it waterproof, the cap has a hole for a splitring or lanyard, there is also a metal clip in the lighter body to attach it to a pocket or inside a backpack.

We found this lighter to be rugged and serviceable the construction is solid and the design looks very nice, the clip and lanyard hole are very good details for different carrying options.

You can read more in Brunton's website and order for $48 from Tad Gear.

Keychain Lighter

This is a keychain lighter in the form of a spy capsule. It's as small as the small spy capsules, and comes with a small ballchain for attachment to keyrings purses, etc.

The lighter itself is a standard mechanic ignition lighter using standard fuel the zippo fuel refills work perfectly and the flint is also standard and oh-surprise the zippo flints work as replacements.

Being in a closed capsule the lighter won't leak fuel and won't smell fuel, with a standard charge of fuel it can work for weeks or months if you don't use it often. Even in a closed capsule the fuel that is very volatile will eventually evaporate but from our quick tests we think it can be months before a charge of fuel renders the lighter useless without use. This means this little lighter is fine in emergency kits or to go camping. It is not wind resistant and there is no shielding from the wind so you need to cover it with your hands as a regular lighter if you are outside.

The flame is a regular normal looking flame, not hot enough as the butane piezoelectric ligters but good enough to start a fire and other normal activities.

A good keychain lighter with the strong advantage of being very easy to refill and service if needed.

You can get it for $5 from EDCdepot.

Micro Jet Torch

The Micro-Jet is a buthane torch with piezoelectric ignition. The really interesting thing is that this torch can use a disposable buthane lighter as a cartridge if no lighter is available it can use a refillable cartridge also included.

Not all the disposable lighter brands will fit but the following ones do: Scripto/Toaki (Mighty Match, Ultralite, Vesta, Graffiti) or Calico (Jeweltones) and others might fit if they have the same size. Bic lighters do not fit.

Using the buthane in the disposable lighter as fuel the micro-jet will produce a very hot blue flame that will be wind resistant and will be able to light and melt many different things.

The torch can be used in any application where a strong flame is needed, cooking, melting, paint removal, hobbies, jewelry etc. It is also good for camping and outdoor activities since the strong wind resistant flame will be able to light a fire with less effort than a normal disposable lighter. Refills are as cheap and easy to get as getting a lighter that fits.

We liked the ability to use the torch for projects and hobbies without worrying about fuel running out, you can always have some lighters as cheap refills.

The runtime is aproximately 20 minutes with a normal "charge" and the flame burns at about 1300C (2400F) the size is 4.3" x 2.6" x 1" (11 x 6.6 x 2.5 cm). It works great to fuse paracord and melt plastic.

You can order for $20 from Cabelas.

Vector Gear Lighter

This lighter uses a system called "lean-burn" that basically generates a stable combustion by setting the platinum catalyzer in the middle of internal burner cylinder, which in turn generates a secondary gas combustion.

This system reduces gas consumption and allows the lighter to work in limited oxygen environments like high altitudes.The flame is wind resistant and the case is strong to resist shock. It is not water proof so you need to avoid dropping it in water.

The lighter is refilled by common buthane fuel and it has a small window in the back to see the amount of fuel left, this is a very useful detail that not all the top quality lighters have.

The lighter performs very well, the lean-burn system is great to keep fuel consumption to minimum in long trips or excursions and the flame will be strong enough to resiste bad weather, rain and wind, being able to use it in high altitudes is another great advantage.

The lighter is available in 5 different finishes and colors you can read more about it and order for $80 from the product page.

Brunton Helios

The Helios is a very strong piezoelectric butane lighter from Brunton. The flame is windproof up to 80mph, you can light it up and hold the lighter out of a window in a car moving at 50mph and the flame will still be alive when you get it inside. This makes the Helios suitable for camping and survival kits as a reliable tool to start fires in the most difficult conditions.

The Helios loads 1.7oz of Butane and produces a high temperature torch-style flame, a lot hotter than regular lighters.

With the lid closed the Helios is waterproof, it comes with a wrist lanyard and a pocket clip on one side, the construction is solid and can resist drops and impacts without serious problems. The piezoelectric ignition should be good for up to 30,000 ignitions.

A very strong and weather proof lighter that will always work in case of need. You can read more about it on Brunton's website and order it for $50 from TAD Gear.