Bill --<br><br> I, too, have Fresnel lenses in several kits.<br><br> Just for grins, I combined a couple of threads here and decided this weekend to try using a Fresnel lens for firestarting. Additionally, I tried using Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on a cotton ball, and again on dryer lint, instead of using a Sparklite tinder to start the fire.<br><br> A couple of things jumped out at me:<br>1. Don't count on a Fresnel for firestarting unless you've tried it under non-critical circumstances first. I started with a bright, clear day in tropical sun (where I live in St Croix), and first noticed that it takes a really steady hand to focus the lens properly. Even a momentary cloud passing over kills the heat. So does a wavering hand.<br>2. Black dryer lint, moistened with vaseline and fluffed up, smokes/ignites almost instantly. But it'll smoke without creating enough of a flame to easily ignite larger tinder. And the white smoke actually interferes with the focus of the lens as you keep at it.<br>3. A white cotton ball doesn't light easily, even with Vaseline on it. Being white, it's a lot harder to focus a pinpoint of light on the white surface compared to the black one, which shows your focus (or lack thereof) quite clearly.<br>4. Either way, if you're planning on using Vaseline and cotton or dryer lint, the Vaseline dries very quickly in the wind, down to a mere greasy feel. If you're gonna carry this kind of tinder, keep it airtight and light it quick. Black is easier by far. <br>5. Magnesium scrapings and flint and steel were no problem at all. I'd count on that if my lighter and matches were gone. <br> The Fresnel and cotton MAY work in ideal weather -- but it's no cinch!<br> Try for yourself and see. Fortunately it's one of those fun, cheap and easy weekend projects that you can really learn from,<br><br> Regards -- Karl