Customer Reviews

Windmill Delta Stormproof Lighter

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

Three years ago I bought this lighter, and recently, the fire coil broke off, so I ordered another one. Then I realized the original was guaranteed for life, so I called Essential Gear, got a return number, and sent my broken lighter to them, even though I hadn't bought the original from them, a fact I told them. The new lighter arrived and worked great, and two weeks later, my old lighter arrived, fixed and at no cost. I use this lighter on the golf course in high winds, and never have a problem. With a lifetime guarantee, it just can't be beat, and I can't say enough about Essential Gear's great service.

I was looking for a good Jeep lighter -- let me explain. I own a 2000 Jeep Wrangler, and the best times are with the top down and the doors off. As such there is quite a bit of wind; even at slow speeds it makes using a traditional lighter an impossible task. I could use the electric cigarette lighter but that involves disconnecting the 3 or 4 electronic devices I've got daisy-chained out of that jack - not appealing and a pain while driving. This lighter changes that -- I've used it at 75MPH on the highway with no issues at all. I particularly like the water-resistant (proof? haven't tested that) nature, the "take a beating" construction and quality electronic ignition - not a problem after quite a bit of abuse. This lighter also seems to be more frugal with fuel than other lighters I've used -- it takes quite a while to burn through an entire tank. All in all, a great device - I highly recommend it.

Got this lighter about two years ago, and I came back for another. While it doesn't have the style of a Zippo, it is much more dependable, consistent, and trouble-free. It's versatility comes from the jet flame that lets you light in any position - great for candles in holders that a BIC cant get at, or lighting a grill through the match port. Its combustion chamber and catalyst coil produce a concentrated flame that is much hotter than other jet lighters, and it can start up a fire in damp kindling very quickly, even in the rain. Wind doesn't affect it whatsoever, it had no problem lighting fireworks on the beach at night with 40 mph winds. The butane tank holds enough for about 20 minutes of medium height burn (adjustable), which is plenty for a week of hiking, and the window lets you see how much you have left.

But the real difference that separates this rest is durability. It has two latching mechanisms to keep the top shut - they may look goofy but they work. When the top is closed it is next to indestructible, I've dropped in a lake, had a coal melt through part of the rubber, kicked it across a parking lot, even ran it over with a truck (all by accident), and it still works fine. Simply put, if there is gas in the tank, it will light up on the first try, period. When functionality and dependability are more important than style and aesthetics, this lighter is the best choice.

The day I got this modern marvel, I tried every way I could think of to disprove the manufacturer's claims about it's durability and robustness, and I've been trying out various other things now and then ever since. I have to say, it has passed every test I have subjected it to with flying colors.

If you're shopping for a new lighter, forget that famous liquid-fueled lighter brand. Instead, get something that can really take a beating. It bounces, it floats, it lights when wet, it lights six inches in front of an 18 inch room fan on "maximum", it does not accidentally pop open in your pocket, and it certainly wont give you that nasty gasoline taste on your cigarettes, cigars, or even pipes -- yes, the jet of flame it provides works quite well for all three. You can flick it open and light it with one hand just like the other brand, too, with a bit of practice.

I bought this lighter for emergency use starting fires (I do alot of climbing/backpacking). When I first got it I played with it adjusting the flame and whatnot and found that the metal button used to ignite it gets so hot after about 10 seconds its painful (even on a low setting!). I could also smell something like burning rubber/plastic coming from the inside so for kicks I used the medium setting with a glove for about 30 seconds and the parts around the button actually started melting!!! Luckily I got it at an REI store and they have the best return policy. For cigarettes this would work fine but for any use that requires continuous flame its just too powerful for its own construction!

I was looking for a good butane lighter for my cigars, and a friend recommended this one. My first shipment was defective: the fuel feed was uneven, and all of the gas leaked out overnight. I exchanged it for a new one, which works.

Pros: It looks impressive from a distance, and it probably won't break if you accidentally sit on it or something.

Cons: The wind won't blow it out, but if there's more than the gentlest of breezes the flame will be pathetic, and you won't be able to toast your cigars. Next, the thumb switch heats up extremely quickly, so my fingers are roasting long before I get a good coal going on the cigar. Lastly, this thing drinks fuel; I have to refill it after every third or fourth cigar. I don't see the point of 'survival gear' which requires you to carry two or more cans of butane gas if you're planning on being in the woods more than two or three days.

Conclusion: this is probably a fine cigarette lighter, but it's not so good for cigars or campfires.

I haven't had too much luck with water proof butane lighters. In fact, I have yet to find one that really works. This one lasted about six months. Got soaked a couple of times, dried out, started to function. Now the electronic spark doesn't work. It is water resistant, not water proof. It will work fine as long as you treat it under 'normal' operating conditions which doesn't work for me.

Hello, I recently ordered the Windmill Delta Stormproof Lighter. DON'T BUY IT. I WOULD GIVE IT 0 STARS IF I COULD! I am 20 years old, in college, and looking for a decent lighter that would survive camping trips, being thrown into my back pack, and survive a drop or two. I spent hours online searching through reviews for a reliable rugged lighter on many different websites. Eventually I decided on this one. I wish I didn't. I got a bad feeling right when I opened the box. Described as: "By adding a tough elastomer armor, Windmill's Delta Stormproof lighter has the qualities you would expect plus incredible impact resistance. Delta features a stainless steel wire closure to stay watertight even if dropped." This piece of crap could not be farther from the truth. Elastomer armor my butt. What they really mean is cheap "rubbery" (I use this term so loosely) plastic. Also the "stainless steel wire enclosure" isn't water tight. All it is is cheap wire that snaps on top of the lid. Also, the description doesn't mention that this color "rubber" (I hate describing it as rubber, because its so cheap) coating just hides that the actually structure of this lighter is made with cheap plastic. You might have noticed in the product picture the small hinge that holds the lid to the lighter. What you can't see is that the hinge is made with cheap plastic and is so weak. The lid is loose and wobbles back and forth when open. I feel like if I pushed it into my pocket the wrong way it would snap off. Nothing about this product inspires durability, impact resistance, or water tight. The lid simply snaps shut with the metal button on the side. The "rubber" lid doesn't even touch the body of the lighter. This lighter is in no way worth $40, $30, or even $20. I'd consider it MAYBE a step above a disposable lighter. I would never ever recommend this to a friend. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME!

Right out of the box I could not get it to work. It just puffs and goes out. I tried using it as a paperweight but it was a little light. So I filled it with fuel and now it makes a great paperweight. :P

This lighter is based on the design of typical small butane torches, such as the Bernzomatic. It uses a catalytic element to keep the flame burning. Normally this element is used in torches to provide hot air without a flame, as the flow of butane is all that's needed to keep the reaction going. Here, though, it's used to ensure the butane is being ignited. This is why it's impossible to blow the lighter out. Well, not impossible...you can blow it out with a really hard blow but the flame immediately comes back.

I've noticed that if I pick up the lighter (after it's been lying on its side for a few hours) and try to light it with a quick press, it doesn't light the first time. It does light the second time. However, if I follow the "ignition tip" in the instructions and press the ignition lever deliberately (as opposed to a "quick single stroke") then the lighter works the first time, every time. So there's nothing wrong with the lighter...you just have to keep in mind that if it's not lighting, press the switch slowly.

So I took away one star for having to "know" how to light it, and also for the right-handed design of the top cap latch (I'm a lefty.) It would have been nice if the latch could be moved to the other side of the lighter. Otherwise, this is a great lighter that won't let you down. Recommended.

I have several other more expensive lighters for my cigars. This is the one I prefer. Perfect flame in all conditions.
...after about six months, though, the butane tank began to leak. One filling would drain out within 24 hours. Very disappointing.