Silva Helios Storm Lighter Review - 04/11/08
PLEASE NOTE, THESE FINDING WERE BASED ON AN OLD REVIEW. SINCE THE REVIEW THE PRODUCTS SEEM TO BE MADE OF A LOWER QUALITY!
Three reviews in two days! I should be clear here, the reviews were done some time ago, but now is the only time I have had chance to put a few on the site. In total this year I have done about 70 reviews of different products for different people and companies. These range from custom made knives to photographic equipment, such as the Nikon D300, Nikon 105mm VR macro lens, and even a Canon 500mm prime lens. I will add these reviews when I get time, but today I have decided to add a short piece on the Silva Helios Storm Lighter.
The Helios Silva Storm Lighter Withstands wind speeds of up to 25 m/s. Once filled with butane gas it produces a flame more like that from a jet fighter than a lighter! It also has a window on the side of the lighter which shows how much fuel is left in the tank, quite handy. The flame is also adjustable and has a piezo ignition incorporated which can be used over 30.000 times, not bad for £13.95.
The lid clips down over the ‘jet burner' and has a special clip for when it needs to be kept closed and extra secure. Simply dislodge this clip, press a button and the lid flicks back and the lighter is ready for action. At first when I lit the lighter I was simply not impressed, but then realised I had used the wrong gas nozzle (supplied with the gas bottle), once I filled it up (properly this time) and gave it another go. WOW, that flame was powerful and exceptionally HOT, more like a blow torch and whilst looking stupid trying to emulate the wind I failed to blow the flame out.
The lighter is supplied with a long lanyard and presentation tin which makes it an ideal Christmas gift.
BUILD QUALITY 8/10
PERFORMANCE 10/10
PRICE 10/10
OVERALL 28/30
PLEASE NOTE, THESE FINDING WERE BASED ON AN OLD REVIEW. SINCE THE REVIEW THE PRODUCTS SEEM TO BE MADE OF A LOWER QUALITY!
CONCLUSION - I tend not to use lighters very much when out in the field as I prefer the challenge of starting a fire in a more natural way. However, when I venture further a field for prolonged periods of time I would also take the Helios Storm Lighter with me as a backup. I also find this quite useful as due to an injury a couple of years ago I don't always find it very easy friction fire lighting anymore due to damaged tendons in my wrists. So for me this lighter does come prove to be a good companion.
You can purchase your Helios Storm Lighter here
PLEASE NOTE, THESE FINDING WERE BASED ON AN OLD REVIEW. SINCE THE REVIEW THE PRODUCTS SEEM TO BE MADE OF A LOWER QUALITY!
Catch you on the trail
Kris
Comments
Johan on 14/02/10
The same as Ian and Steen. I bought two of them and both packed up on me within a few weeks. It looks very impressive and rugged but the Piso igniter system is very unrealiable.
Do you have teir direct website or mail so i can report it directly to them.
Kris on 08/10/09
Dear Steen and Ian,
I have reviewed your comments, and passed them on. As a result, the product has been withdrawn from sale at Greenman. Thanks for your honest findings!
Steen Johansen on 25/09/09
My Silva storm lighter stayed in my personal buoyancy aid as a back-up for six months.
It failed to work the first time I needed it. The piezo igniter failed. 50 cent disposable lighters are far more dependable.
Kris on 04/09/09
Good to see some honest opinions. When I review things I can only go by my findings. I have used three of these to date, all with no problems.
If you got yours from Greenman, fire an e-mail over.
Cheers
Ian Strydom on 03/09/09
My Helios Storm Lighter worked well for a couple of months, then the igniter started failling, battling to light the flame, now the unit leaks out all the gas internally, the moment you fill it, renedering it useless.
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Tom on 24/02/10
wish I'd read these reviews before i bought one, not a reliable lighter if cold won't light and low build quality expected metal and made of cheap plastic, paid 20 quid which translates to crap, worth about £7.99.