REVIEW: RADLIGHT: HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIGHTER
- Cliff Jacobson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Cliff Jacobson
Here’s an interesting new product. RADLIGHT is a “take off” on the old Zippo lighter, but it’s much larger, has a very powerful “upright" flame for lighting campfires and gasoline stoves. It’s as windproof as the old Zippos and (unlike Zippo) it’s really waterproof. I submerged mine in water for three minutes—opened it, struck the spark wheel and bingo, instant huge flame. See the Radlight website (https://www.radlight.co/) for details.
The giant windproof flame (it’s at least three times larger than Zippo) is great for lighting campfires when the wind is up. Unlike normal lighters, the flame is well away from your hand, which makes it safer to light gasoline camp stoves that sometimes flare when starting.
The lighter is totally waterproof, so the fluid doesn’t evaporate quickly, like in the old Zippos. And this thing holds a lot of fluid. You could probably go a couple weeks on a camping trip without re-filling it. The huge spark wheel throws a giant pile of sparks, and like Zippo, keeps flaming in the wind. The lighter box slides open and pivots into place (the Radlight website shows how). It can be extended two inches which puts your hand about five inches from the flame. The lighter is too heavy to comfortably carry in your pocket (I think Radlight should offer a belt carry sheath) but boy is it nice in camp. Like a Zippo, it’s easily refillable. There's a waterproof gasket on the base of the flame box so if the lighter is open and is accidentally dropped into water, only the wick will get wet. If that happens, take a few deep breaths, blow the wick dry, and you're back in business in a minute or two. Again, when closed, the lighter is completely watertight. There are two extra (Zippo) flints stored inside the flame box. All metal construction and extremely well built.
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