The Essential Gear Windmill Stormproof Lighter received the highest rating in a group of five firestarters. Described as a "reliable mini-torch" it won praise for starting fires with no tinder, lighting branches 2 inches thick, and staying lit in 30 mph winds and heavy rain.
Bacpacker Magazine: October 2006, pg 96
Case Material
Dimensions
height x width x depth
Weight
polycarbonate plastic
2-1/8" x 1-3/4" x 5/8"
(53mm x 42mm x 16mm)
1.1 oz
(31 gm)
All Windmill Windproof lighters use the same lighter cartridge, only the
case varies.
Features
Piezoelectric ignition technology - Piezoelectricity, now commonly
used as igniters for gas stoves and outdoor grills, eliminates the need for
batteries or flints which fail when wet. Releasing the lighter ignition
button mechanically bends the lighter's piezoelectric crystal which produces
an electric current. Ignition occurs when an electric spark meets the
butane gas in the combustion chamber.
.
Windproof flame - A continuous flame is produced as butane gas vapors
ignite upon contact witht he superheated catalyzer coil element. The
lighter burns at very high temperatures (800 - 1,000 degrees C; 1400 to
>2,000 degrees F), producing a clean, hot flame which is nearly invisible
in outdoor bright light.
Refillable butane gas fuel- Windmill suggest using a premium butane fuel. For altitudes below 5,000 feet, regular butane fuel (pictured on the right) is sufficient. Burn time with each fuel filling is approximately 300 ignitions at 3-5 seconds duration (over 30 minutes). Easily refills in seconds with butane gas fuel which is available at most grocery, drug and convenience stores (check were cartons of cigarettes are sold). Shipped without butane fuel by law.
Use at high altitude - Premium fuel must be used when the lighter is taken more than 5,000 feet above sea level. Some Premium butane brands include Vector, Lucienne or Colibri. After refilling with butane gas and before igniting, allow the gas temperature to equilibrate with mechanism temperature (the gas will be much colder) by holding the lighter in your hand or pocket or letting lighter stand for 1-2 minutes. Windmill lighters will work in extremely cold environments (down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit) as long as the lighter itself is kept from freezing. Simply storing it in an inside pocket will accomplish this. To improve lighter ignition & increase flame height at higher elevations, move the flame adjustment ring CLOCKWISE towards the "-" mark. Doing so reduces the flow of butane gas and allows for more oxygen inside the combustion chamber, thus enabling ignition in lower-oxygen environments. At lower altitudes, where oxygen is in greater supply, the fuel adjustment ring should be moved COUNTER-CLOCKWISE towards the "+" marking, increasing the rate of gas flow. Push ignition button slowly in a two-step movement. First, push button down until you hear the gas flowing and then press the button down all the way until the strike mechanism "clicks." The sequence is always: gas, spark, ignition. If there is a spark before gas is flowing, ignition will not occur.
Manufacturing quality control - Each lighter is individually tested at the Windmill factory to assure the piezoelectric ignition system and the flame adjustment ring are working properly. Windmill provides a lifetime warranty against mechanical defects.
Sample regular
butane can; about $3
(A) o-ring seal
(B) fuel window
(C) flame window
(D) flame adjustment
(A) Water-resistant rubber o-ring seal - 3 rubber o-ring seals
ensure water resistance when the lighter cap is closed. The lighter
provides dependable spark and reliable ignition even under extreme weather
conditions.
(B) Fuel level sight glass - Fuel window on side of lighter indicates
when fuel needs re-filling.
(C) Flame window - A ceramic flame window located on the side
of the burner unit glows a bright white color when the lighter is ignited.
(D) Flame level adjustment - A flame adjustment ring regulates gas
flow for different altitudes.
The flame is more like a blow-torch
than the flame of a standard lighter.
Adjusted to a medium setting, the flame is ¾" (2 cm) tall with a pin-point
tip. The flame burns steadily, without the "dancing" typical of a standard
lighter.
The flame is very difficult to capture in a photograph as in
the picture on the left. The flame shape has been outlined in
the picture on the right.
