>>I had thought that the Stormproof was an exception to this
>>somewhat common weakness in these type of lighters.

And it probably is; I've never owned or used one. It's just that, having been "burned" (if you'll pardon the pun) once, even though it was a cheap barbeque starter type, I'm automatically suspicious of all p-e lighters. However, it's easy enough to check - if it lights successfully after spending a night in your freezer, it should be okay for pretty much any temperatures you'll encounter in Colorado.

Double-checking the reviews is still a good idea, but I'd want to see for myself that *my* lighter was going to work in extreme cold conditions, if possible. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's like you're reading my mind! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That is exactly what I intend to do with it when I receive it. I'll let you know how it goes incase you or anyone else is curious.

Thanks. I'd appreciate the info.

p-e lighters are more vulnerable to spark failure due to dust and debris than to cold. I agree that sub-freezing temperatures may cause problems for butane (not fluid zippo) lighters, but you can generally warm the lighter. However, altitude has caused me more trouble with butane than temperature... and I couldn't always "go lower".
... this may be more Lighter-lore than you want to hear, but if you want to increase your chances of the butane lighter working at altitude you have to bleed out air from the tank and then fill the lighter at roughly the same altitude where it is expected to operate...(roughly the same). This reduces (but doesn't guarantee against) the "vapor lock" or sputtering that we see with many butane lighters.

well in a little over two weeks I'll get to do some altitude testing as well <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm not afraid to test it for dirt either ... its supposed to be stormproof and i take that as meaning dust storms too so if it fails I WILL return it <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The new Windmill Stormproof lighter passed the freezer test. It spent the night in the freezer with the flame level set right in the middle between + and -. I took it out of the freezer this morning and immediatly lit it before it had a chance to warm up. It lit right up on the first push of the button. I plan to do this a few more times just to make sure this wasn't just dumb luck. I will also have altitude test results after the holidays are over.

Brian;

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I may have been unjustly lumping all PE lighters into the same category.