Company Information:

Company Name:    Brunton
Company Web Site:  http://www.brunton.com

Owner Biographical Information:

Name:   Michael Wheiler
Gender:   Male
Age:   49 years old
Height:   5' 10" (1.8 m)
Weight:   175 lb (80 kg)
Location:   Southeastern Idaho
E-mail:   jmwlaw@ida.net

Product Information:

Product Name:	Helios Stormproof® Lighter
Size:	Approximately 3" x 1" x 1/2" (76 mm x 25 mm x 13 mm).
Weight:	1.7 oz (48 g) (advertised weight); 1.8 oz (51 g) (USPS scale) (with lanyard attached).
Fuel: Type	Refillable with premium butane gas.
Design Features:	Adjustable high temperature flame (approximately 2,000°F/1,093° C); water resistant; fuel level window; flip-top opens 180°; push button cap lock; piezo-electric ignition reliable for up to 30,000 ignitions; flame window indicator glows upon ignition; withstands winds up to 80 mph (129 kmph).
Colors:	Black and black/silver.
MSRP:	$60.00 US.

Additional Information From The Manufacturer:

According to Brunton, this is the "most dependable windproof lighter in the world."  The Helios was developed by Brunton as a survival tool.  According to my owner's guide, the Helios comes with a limited life-time warranty:  ship a problematic Helios back to Brunton and it will return your lighter in "first class mechanical condition" free of charge.  The black, hard plastic and (what appears to be) stainless steel exterior finish is not guaranteed.  Brunton recommends that the burner chamber be cleaned with compressed air periodically to remove crust and carbon build-up.  As with any butane lighter, in colder temperatures, the Helios should be carried close to the body for warmth so as to insure its continued operation.  When using the Helios in higher elevations, if ignition does not occur immediately, Brunton suggests turning the flame adjuster in a clockwise direction to maximize oxygen in the burner chamber.  At elevations below 5,000' (1,650 m), any butane fuel may be used in the Helios.  However, above 12,000' (4,000 m) premium butane fuel is recommended.  The Helios comes packaged in a metal storage case.  It also comes with a detachable lanyard.

Report:

The importance of being able to start a fire, especially in a survival situation, was never more dramatically characterized than in Jack London's short story To Build A Fire.  Indeed, a reliable lighter can be worth its weight in gold.  The Brunton Helios is just such a lighter.  I first began using a Helios in approximately March of 2003 and have carried it in a variety of packs ever since.  It is compact, lightweight, and dependable.  Though it doesn't always start on the first try, it has always started.  I have used the Helios in below freezing temperatures.  The first trip I remember using the Helios on was a snowshoe trip into the Kelly Canyon Ski area (6,940'/2,115 m).  I recorded the temperature on the mountain that morning at 23° F (-5° C).  I used the Helios without any difficulty to light my Pocket Rocket stove.  I used the Helios several more times during winter camping at altitudes ranging from 6,120'/1,865 m to 6,291'/1,917 m and generally in below freezing temperatures.  Brunton claims that if the lighter is kept close to the body during cold temperatures, it will function at temperatures down to -40° F (-40° C).  Sorry, but given a choice I'm not even going to consider testing it under those extreme temperatures.  It has also been used many times during spring, summer and fall outings to light fires, start backpack stoves and light lanterns.  Most recently, the Helios was used to fuse the ends of a fraying piece of nylon rope.  It has been used in fairly windy conditions without any noticeable effect.  When using it during a snowstorm the only thing I noticed was the hissing sound made by the snowflakes when they touched the hot metal near the flame.  I have never had any difficulty with the Helios.  Though I have carried the Helios to heights above 12,000'/4,000 m, I have not had the occasion to use it and I cannot vouch for how well it works at that elevation.

As can be seen in the photographs, the silver coloring on the name and other words printed on the Helios is wearing off.  Otherwise, the hard plastic exterior seems to handle lots of normal wear and tear without losing its good looks.  The flip-up lid is locked down with a small metal clasp which releases downward with the flick of a finger.  (See photographs 1 and 2.)  Pressing the small silver button on the side of the Helios (see photograph 5) then releases the flip-top which automatically flips back 180°.  The fuel reservoir window is located near the bottom of the main body on both sides.  (See photographs 1 and 2.)

                            Photograph 1 (closed face view)                               Photograph 2 (open face view)

Fuel is loaded into the Helios by unscrewing the cap on the bottom of the Helios.  (See photograph 3.)  The cap on the bottom of the lighter has the name and stormproof lighter written on it.  Unscrewing the cap reveals a fuel inlet valve into which the male tip of butane fuel canister is inserted.  Push down on the canister and fueling begins.  When the lighter is completely empty, refueling only takes 4-5 seconds.  The fuel reservoir is full when a bubble can be seen in the window.  You can also tell the lighter is getting full when it begins to "hiss" and butane will begin to spray out if fueling continues.  The black plastic flame adjustment lever is also located under this cap.  Brunton suggests that the flame lever be placed at the lowest setting (-) to begin with and then adjusted as needed.

                                  Photograph 3 (bottom view)                                     Photograph 4 (top view)

The flame is ignited by depressing the ignition lever (the stainless steel button on the top of the lighter in front of the burner coil) until you hear a clicking sound.  (See photographs 2 and 4.)  Once ignited, the flame burns at a very hot temperature--over 2,000° F (1,093° C) according the Brunton.  The flame is nearly invisible in bright light and caution must be used to avoid the temptation of sticking your finger over the burner coil to check for a flame.  The flame window (the part that looks like a vent or gills) is located on the top of the lighter below and behind the burner coil. (See photograph 2.)  A red/orange glow can be seen through this window upon ignition.  As with most lighters, the flame is maintained as long as the ignition lever is depressed.  Once the ignition lever is released the flame should be extinguished.  If the flame continues, the flame level is too high and should be adjusted toward the (-) mark.


If the need arises, the butane may be released from the Helios by repeatedly pressing the end of a ball-point pen into the fuel inlet valve until all of the fuel has been released.  This need usually arises just prior to putting the lighter into your checked baggage on any commercial airline!  If you like to carry a lighter instead of or in addition to matches, I would highly recommend the Brunton Helios.

Pros:

• Compact.
• Light weight.
• Durable.
• Not affected by even strong wind (especially nice in this part of the country!).
  
• Water resistant.
• Dependable.
• Easy to fuel, regulate the flame, and monitor fuel.
  

Cons:

• The price.   With an MSRP of $60.00, the Helios is a bit pricey.
  

Summary:

When I travel in the back country, regardless of weather, I want to have what it takes to start a fire.  That is why I carry the Brunton Helios.  It is compact, water resistant, windproof and reliable.

Additional Biographical Information:

Experience:  I have about 38 years experience hiking, camping, and backpacking.  As a child my father, who was a professional Scouter, took us camping and backpacking frequently.  I became active in the Boy Scout program as a youth and as an adult leader.  I was a Scoutmaster for seven years (1997-2004) and our troop would camp, hike, canoe, and/or backpack at least monthly--usually more frequently.  Since being retired from that position, I don't get out as much but I try to go at least every other month and it really helps to have cool stuff that I have to go out and test!

Current Area of Outdoor Activity:  Most of my camping, hiking and backpacking occurs in the southeastern Idaho area but spills over into western Wyoming (Grand Teton National Park) and western Montana.  I occasionally get into the mountains of central Idaho as well.  I have plans to spend some time on the CDT and in the Wind River Range this coming summer.  The areas I frequent generally range from 5,500' (1,600 m) to 8,500' (2,600 m).  However, this past summer I was able to climb Mt. Borah in the Lost River Range (12,662'/3,859 m) and Diamond Peak in the Lemhi Range (12,197'/3,718 m).  The weather in southeastern Idaho is fairly typical of a high desert plain.  Winters are usually cold with temperatures at times reaching -20° F (-29° C).  Snow depths vary widely but are generally over 10-12 feet (3-4 m) in the high country.  Spring can be moderately wet and cold.  The summer months are typically dry and warm with temperatures ranging from 80-90° F (27-32° C) though occasionally we see thunderstorms and temperatures around 100° F (38° C).  Fall weather is actually the best--crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings with little moisture.