Excellent review Mark. "SOL" evolved into "TSOL" and has a widely known meaning. Branding fail. lol. Your idea to light a storm match first is excellent.
Good info sir. I like it that you tested several materials. Some or them I keep in my bug out and get home. I have one of these types of lighters I keep in my gear, it’s a longer flexible neck in it. They are comparable To a big bug the one thing over the Vic is it’s wind proof. That’s the reason I purchased one any way. I have some small personal power sources with solar charging I have in my bags as well for other devices I deem more critical but since I do have I figured why not get a plasma for the convenience of it. Otherwise I would probably pass on it. For me these lighters have a usefulness if you have a way to charge them but if it was gonna create more hassle or more gear to carry I would pass. Thanks for the great video.
Great review Mark. I probably won't be picking one up, but if I am gifted one I will use it. I have many mini and regular Bic lighters and fero rods that never let me down. Seems like a novelty to me. Cheers buddy.
Great video and product! Although I feel fuel free may be misleading as it still can run out of its own kinda gas lol. What's that firestarter that's like a small piston and makes heat through rapid friction? To me that's fuel free. I'm sure someone knows what it's called...
Yes, they do need to be charged so they are not truly fuel free. The item you are describing is a fire piston. I have an old video on one ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MJeu4eMpvkc.html Thanks for commenting
Thank you Mark great review, just got this one and i got a question, how do i know when is fully charged? I can see a blue light and thats all.. thank you again!
Iirc you also got a zippo hand warmer for Christmas, i wonder if it would light that where you need several seconds of contact. But if you’re carrying fuel for the hand warmer, then a wick lighter that lights when frozen might be a better choice! I notice there is another SOL model of plasma lighter, i think without the flashlight.
Bic lighters are not windproof, that's what makes this lighter a good choice (if you're in windy conditions often) . The downside to this lighter is that they chose to use micro USB instead of type c for a charging port. so you're forced to carry around an obsolete USB cable for probably just this lighter.
Ok Mark, I hate to have to make you test one more thing, but there one you forgot. Will it work as a mini taser if you touch it to your skin? 😀 Btw, I see a knife that isn’t a full grind…..is there a new knife review in the works?
JF: Yes, it will put a serious hurt on a ladybug the next time one tries to mug you. Check with your local law enforcement department to see whether the use of a device such as this in such a manner requires training or registry.
@@adamnoman4658 Well I know it obviously wouldn’t knock someone down. That was called a joke, but I’m willing to bet it would hurt your finger…..or you would burst into flames! (That was a joke too)
Thanks Mark! good stuff. I am going to assume it will light at challenging low temps, where a BIC can be fussy. I am slow to acquire gear that has internal/non-replaceable batteries. But, as you say, I too like to get gifts that are usable that I might not pull the trigger on myself. Cheers from Lapeer, Michistan - USA
I've had 2 for over a year. I use the flashlights often in my work and can light about 40 cigarettes (2 packs) before charging. On bright, the flashlight has @100 ft illumination, not very wide.Low will last longer, @ 3 hours. Cheers
I'm a gadget girl. I think it's a great item. I use a small rechargeable flashlight every night. It never fails when I turn out the lights there is something I can't find in the dark mostly where I laid down my hand splints. I also have a black Labradoodle and a black floor. I need the flashlight to avoid stepping on or tripping over my dog when I have to get up in the night. I only need the light for a few seconds, so I like that the lighter comes with that feature.
Fair enough. I have flashlights stashed all over my house and in my pack for similar reasons. I just prefer to have my light separate from my lighter. Thank for commenting
Great review Mark, too bad that the battery can't be replaced but then again, regular Bic lighters can't be refilled either. Hope you will let us know longer term use and how long it holds up for. Thanks for sharing. :) :)
G’day from Oz. I have the SOL emergency /survival kit. About the size of an Altoid box. It’s in my EDC pack. Check it out folks Thx again for your work. Lars
Most welcome. The top is a few years old and was sold through Mountain Equipment Coop in Canada. I like it because the extra-long zipper makes it easy to get on and off
Nice review Mark. I’ve had one of these for about a month and have mostly used it to light the BBQ using the Weber cubes, no roughing up needed. I haven’t gone through the level of testing you’ve done. I bought it because I can recharge it in the field indefinitely (unless the battery dies). Yes it’s kind of a novelty item but it works nicely and it’s fun. I don’t really use the flashlight much but nice to know it’s there.
Great video Mark. Really liked the testing of the many different materials. Seems more and more outdoor items rely on recharging. What about a gyro powered plasma lighter. I have a plasma lighter with a small beam section. Still does the job in the wind.
@@MarkYoungBushcraft I guess I was trying to put the idea of a gyro lighter into the head of a bright spark out there in internet land. I thought about your 'chat' with us, about content etc. RU-vidrs have personalities, and we are here because we like yours. Do what you love to do.
@@MarkYoungBushcraft honestly that's even bigger than keeping your starters dry. You can always make fire if your tinder is dry with friction. If your tinder is wet then well you have to find another way to start a fire or somehow just get smoke to dry it
@@darthkek1953 that is the same for me, but I figured out if it's okay that u become only half of the labeled POWER, that SOLAR work nearly ok everywhere. I charge all my small devices incl. . including laptops on my solar Island Setup. u only need a big ACCU and double or Tripple SOLAR PANELS and u be good to go
