Idiot guide to Brunton Helios

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speed01

Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
113
I just got a Brunton Helios lighter, in part after reading about it here. I admittedly only rarely hike or camp, but wanted one as a "just-in-case" lighter to have with me. However, my primary lighter use is the extreme survival necessity of lighting cigars. :)
So (here's the idiot part), when it came, I topped it off with butane, but couldn't light my cigar! It's igniting all right, and I see the flame in the dark, and it's a good height, but is this hot enough to light the compacted tobacco in a cigar? Am I using the "wrong" butane? I assumed that this would light cigars, among other things, so I'm starting from the position that I'm possibly doing something wrong....
 
Erlkonig said:
flame adustment inside the botttum of cap!
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I did that when I got the lighter. I've been from full open, which they don't recommend, to between 1/2 and 3/4 open. Like I said, I can see the flame, and I can see it touching the cigar--but it won't catch and light the cigar! :(
 
That is quite strange.

Try lighting other things.

A wood match is really the way to go with a cigar though. :)
 
I do smoke when hike, Helios works well on "sweat"coverd cigarette, it is should work on moistured cigar.

try to suck the flame when light or use matches to see what's difference.
 
Erlkonig said:
I do smoke when hike, Helios works well on "sweat"coverd cigarette, it is should work on moistured cigar.

try to suck the flame when light or use matches to see what's difference.
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I do "suck" the flame when I light the cigar; matches work fine, and you're right, are the pure way to enjoy the cigar! But, I figured the stormproof torch would also work!

[from outofgum]Try lighting other things.

A wood match is really the way to go with a cigar though.
Click to expand...

I tried lighting a paper towel; with the flame at 1/2, the paper towel just smoldered, but never flamed up--I could actually see the blue flame hitting the paper, but it just smoldered!! With the flame at full up, the paper towel caught fire after a few seconds...

I've come to the conclusion that this lighter is just a really cool-burning flame that stays lit in all conditions, but isn't as hot as a match flame or regular torch-type lighter, both of which light cigars and paper towels easily. Not quite what I expected....:grumpy:
 
My Helios lights cigars just fine, the only trouble I have is that it gets VERY hot if you keep it lit too long.

Maybe try a different brand of butane? The instructions recommend premium, though I have had success with the cheap stuff.
 
baron_1999 said:
My Helios lights cigars just fine, the only trouble I have is that it gets VERY hot if you keep it lit too long.

Maybe try a different brand of butane? The instructions recommend premium, though I have had success with the cheap stuff.
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Thanks, that'll be my next step, I guess. I use the cheap stuff from the grocery store, and it works fine in others, but this mechanism might be sensitive to slight differences in quality. I'll try some premium.
 
If all else fails call the company or send them an e-mail. There's always the possibility that you got a defective unit.

Brunton is a premium brand and I'm sure they stand 100% behind their product.
 
outofgum said:
If all else fails call the company or send them an e-mail. There's always the possibility that you got a defective unit.

Brunton is a premium brand and I'm sure they stand 100% behind their product.
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If, after I switch to a premium butane and it's still weak, I'll probably do that.
 
You may have clogged the jet with the cheaper fuel. If that has happened, switching to a premium fuel won't help. I always used a multi-filtered fuel when I used to use refillable lighters.
Some companies will clear the jet if you are unable.
Worked in a high end tobbaconists long ago, and refills with cheap fuel were the number one reason for return of lighters.
 
cjpgeyer said:
You may have clogged the jet with the cheaper fuel. If that has happened, switching to a premium fuel won't help. I always used a multi-filtered fuel when I used to use refillable lighters.
Some companies will clear the jet if you are unable.
Worked in a high end tobbaconists long ago, and refills with cheap fuel were the number one reason for return of lighters.
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That might have been the problem all along. Do you think a "high-end" tobbaconist would be able to clean it? We have several here in S.A., although I did not buy the lighter here in town...or would I have to ship it off somewhere?

Thanks for all the advice, guys! :thumbup:
 
I finally emptied the Brunton Helios and refueled it with some quality butane. Works like a charm. This is the first high-end lighter I've had, and never paid attention to the quality of butane. A local tobacconist filled me in on double- and triple-filtered stuff.

Thanks again for the advice! ;)
 
Well I learnt something new today - will file that fact away when I buy my a lighter next for my kit.
 
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