Nature's Secret Larder - Silva Helios Storm Lighter Review

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Bushcraft Blog

Silva Helios Storm Lighter Review
4th November 2008

Silva Helios Storm Lighter Review 

PLEASE NOTE, THESE FINDINGS WERE BASED ON AN OLD REVIEW.  SINCE THE REVIEW THE PRODUCTS SEEM TO BE MADE OF A LOWER QUALITY! GREENMANBUSHCRAFT.CO.UK HAVE SINCE REMOVED THEM FROM STOCK.

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 FINDINGS WERE BASED ON AN OLD REVIEW.  SINCE THE REVIEW THE PRODUCTS SEEM TO BE MADE OF A LOWER QUALITY! GREENMANBUSHCRAFT.CO.UK HAVE SINCE REMOVED THEM FROM STOCK.

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 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! GREENMANBUSHCRAFT.CO.UK HAVE SINCE REMOVED THEM FROM STOCK.

Catch you on the trail
Kris


Comments

Masa on 27/09/10

I bought one almost 2 years back, and already then the quality was close to zero. My piezo igniter works fine, but the gas flow is so low even at the max setting, that it simply dies out a few seconds after lighting. Trying again, it won't light for several minutes.

The price here in Finland was around 15 eur, a quite expensive piece of junk. I exchanged the first one just to receive a similarly poor copy. Just noticed I didn't remember to return it for refund, it still sits in my closet, absolutely no use. Wet matches do the job about as well.

Steve on 24/03/10

On my second of the new style now.
First one the ignitor failed after three days.
Second one spring in lid failed after two weeks plus it only works on max setting for gas, it is still less than a month old. Time for the thrid replacement.

Kris on 12/03/10

Just to add some balance to these comments, I have found that my copy still works fine. However, it is quite clear the product has changed in recent times (maybe made by a third party?). Either way Greenman Bushcraft has stopped selling them due to a high failure rate in the newer models.

Ian Strydom on 12/03/10

My second entry to this site, they sent me a brand new lighter and this one also stopped igniting the gas.It was sent back a couple of weeks ago and i am still waiting for number 3 (not purchased from Greeman Bushcraft).This is a BAD product, please stay away from buying one.

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.

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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