Thanks for all the replies! I'm glad I started this thread because it seems most "heavy duty" lighters out there deliver less than they promise.

So I guess the right quesiton would be, is there any reasonably priced lighter sturdy and reliable enough that you could actually depend on in the wilderness?

heh heh I'll second that - had a refill cannister from the 70's that I found recently. I used it in my Blazer and the butane is working fine!

I always carry backups to critical systems, ie dependable matches to lighter, compass to GPS, water tablets to filter, etc. That being said, I would trust my original Blazer as a primary.

Anyone but me had this problem ?

I an unable to get my windmill lighter to work properly over
7-8,000ft alt. no matter how I adjust the flame/fuel control.

You mean besides Zippos which you have to carry extra fuel with, or rod type sparkers you need tinder for?

I tend to have quite a few Bics. I like the other brands which prevent the fuel button getting pressed and losing their fuel.
I know Iron Raven has a method of using electrician's nylon zip ties to wedge the fuel button up to prevent that too.

I tend to be like Thumb and carry lots of backup in the fire department. Spare lighters, sparkers, a small magnifying glass...
at this time everything except matches it seems, and we will likely pick up a box of them when we go shopping next time.

Like I said before, I routinely carry several backups. At least a couple of the following: magnesium firestarter, firesteel, matches, Zippo, BIC lighter. All of them work but each has some major drawback. Only the firesteel and magnesium are really foolproof as far as getting a spark BUT using them to light a fire in heavy rain is close to impossible unless you also have proper tinder at hand.

So all things considered, I'd just like to know if there is a truly reliable, low maintenance lighter out there. Because nothing works as well as open flame in the woods...

Just for S&G, I'll throw this one out there - I carried a "permanent match" on my first few section hikes. That's the little rectangular box doped with lighter fluid that the striker with wick is screwed into: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Match

It is very dependable although certainly not windproof. It doesn't have the evaporation problems Zippos have and can be used just as a striker if the fluid is gone...

Not a bad backup. I ended up with about 20 of these - someone had a batch on eBay of 70s vintage, with Big Bambu, ZigZag, etc. I picked them up cheap and gave them out as Christmas gifts. Ah, the memories;>

My British Army Knife needed a suitable companion, I thought the Zippo BLU might have been a contender but the Oubo lighter won out. The Oubo was more reliable and windproof lighter than the Zippo. The only downside is that it is not waterproof

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16699

Of course a stainless steel flashlight was needed as well.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18625

I have seen many fancy turbo lighters. Many of them I helped people purchase (against my advice) when I worked for REI. Most were returned anyway.
I will never trust my life to one. They are unpredictable and temperamental at best.
Thanks for your research and experimentation but all of those lighters are questionable IMO.
Bics are all you should trust. Hell for the price you can carry a dozen Bics although you only need two.
I have found Bics in puddles on the ledges of cliffs in Yosemite, on hiking trails, at campsites that I could get lit in under 60 seconds. If they have gas and are not rusted then they WILL work sooner or later; if you know how to get em going.
Many turbos are very unreliable and all are over priced.
Sorry to rain on your parade.
I have used Bics at 14,000 feet without any issues more than once.
Bic and BSA Hot Spark....all you need..oh and matches too.
And maybe a nice aluminum Sparklite for fun.
Spend the $$ on a knife.

I have this one and use it regularly. The slide/push button lock works well as a safety and to open the lid. The small glass window gives me a pick at the propane level.

The first time I used this lighter at altitude I couldn't figure out why the flame was so inadequate. But after a "thump on the side of the head" I realised that I had set it for my home altitude of 1850 ft and that I need to adjust the flame height screw for my new location. Since then I haven't had an issue with it. You can adjust the flame height (actually it's more like a torch than a flame!) to suit your needs. It performs well in strong winds.

It has a rubber seal/gasket that is to prevent water from getting into the mechanism - I've never tested it as I always keep my wick dry! Survival gear should always kept in good condition, IMHO, otherwise what's the point?

I got mine in bright yellow - a lighter is not something you want to lose so I stayed away from green or brown or black. Dark colours are for city folk and not for out in the woods. I don't remember what I paid for it as that was many years ago, but it bears a painted logo from the store I bought it from.