I have considered using those in my kits in the past, although if I recall correctly they need to burn for 10-15 seconds or more before they actually develop enough heat to relight themselves. If this is indeed the case, the benefit (in strong winds) is essentially negated.

Based on this thread, I'm seriously thinking about picking up a Brunton Helios tomorrow, but I'm really going to be pissed at myself for wasting the money (they're not ceap) if it turns out to be like all the other refillables I've owned in the past.

Jim

Brunton has been good about replacing all the defective compasses I bought from them, so check out their warranty before you buy.

Hope it works, but I would carry a reliable backup.

Replacement warrantees are ok when something doesn’t work, but it would be better to not have it break in the first place.



This sounds too far fetched to believe, No one can have this much bad luck. But it did happen to me just like this.

Back in about 1990-91 I bought a Simmons Rifle scope, it was their 6 to 18 power Presidential Ranger scope, it was the best most expensive scope they made. I put it on my 22-250 Mauser rifle and was a happy camper, till I tried to sight it in. it would every once in a while be off 8-inches in 100-yards. I took a Redfield scope on the rifle (taken off my 3006) and it worked perfect. This told me the scope was the problem. It had a great warrantee, send it back and we will send you a new one, sounds great. But the second scope would not go through all the power range when zooming in. I sent it back. The next one was blurry around the edges. I told them I wanted my money back as all these scopes are junk, they refused and said they would replace it. I had them send me a few sets of binoculars to equal what the scope cost. One set of binoculars was back ordered (3-months) the other one came right away, it would point each eye piece different directions when shaken. I threw them away. The second set I gave to my son (5-years old) to play with. My friend that sold Simmons scopes in his gun shop stopped carrying them.

Needless to say, a good warrantee does not impress me after this 9-month fiasco.

Good quality does.


PS I buy Redfield, Burris or Leopold scopes only. All others don’t get a look.

I'll definitely be looking for some O-Rings. I saw some GITD ones but they were too large. The ones on these things are really thin and when you tighten fully, they tend to bunch outward and can even break the seal. I took a better O-Ring off of a chrome version of the peanut lighter that I kept around - it seems better. I think it would actually work better with a washer type ring instead of an O-ring which rolls when you tighten down the lid. The washer type might be near impossible to find...

Anyway, it's still a fantastic lighter. I've replaced my Redilite which I carried for a long time. Those eventually evaporate the fuel despite the fairly tight fitting lid.

I love the form factor so much I'm considering getting another stainless one to remove the lighter and use it as a container. Unless someone knows of a good stainless or titanium container. The aluminum ones always seem thin-walled and too big to me.

Only refillable lighters I've had that got used enough to comment on were Ronsons @ about $8 each. Not wind proof but they work when filled. I usually use medium grade butane (Scripto or Ronson).

BobS

PM sent.

Pete

I don't know about stainless ones, but reasonable aluminum ones are available from EDCDepot.com in 3 sizes at very low cost. They also send a small one with every order.

Respectfully,

Jerry

I'll check that out. The last Aluminum one I had got so scratched and dented it wasn't usable and I stopped carrying. I've seen some HAIII tubes that were pretty sturdy, but they were very large. I wish I had unlimited money and could hire someone to craft me one or ten out out of titanium. :-)