Lighter Help

shopkins82 · 03-27-2012, 07:54 AM

I picked up one of the Brown Leather Ave Maria branded LOTUS Laser torches (same as the black leather CI branded one mentioned above) on Cigar Bid to fill out an order. So far I'm not overly impressed. The max flame height is about that of an unregulated (i.e. brass restrictor shim removed) Ronson Jetlite, but it mis-fires about 25% of the time. With the flame adjusted all the way up, it often fires w/ butane from only about 3/4 of the circumference the nozzle. To get a consistent flame I have to back off to about 85% of max on the dial.

In terms of build quality, the leather inlay is nice but the metal portions are clear-coated (likely mild steel) and not bare brushed stainless as they appear in the picture. Also, the single-action cover has a bit of play and doesn't align 100% flush. I have a feeling LOTUS makes this model only for OEM branding and it wouldn't be up to snuff as part of their regular line. For the $10 I paid (often available on CB for only $7) it's not the worst money I've ever spent, but I wouldn't pay $13-$16 shipped, and surely not $25-$30 from CI, for this lighter on its own.

I'll probably carry this lighter for special occaisons until I get something better (have my eye on the Xicar Element), but I'll probably stick with modded Ronson Jetlites for every-day use.

shopkins82 · 03-28-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopkins82

I picked up one of the Brown Leather Ave Maria branded LOTUS Laser torches (same as the black leather CI branded one mentioned above) on Cigar Bid to fill out an order. So far I'm not overly impressed.

I'll withdraw my previous statement about being unsatisfied with the branded Lotus Laser... at least in terms of reliability. I did my first few fills with Ronson fuel because I had some on hand and thought it wouldn't have much effect unless I kept using it long term. Today I was in a low-end tobacco shop (90% cigarettes, pipe, and smokeless) and they had an inexpensive 5x filtered fuel brand called FasFil for $4 for a 300ml can. I picked a can up along with a Villager Sumatra for after lunch.

I purged the Lotus, refilled with the new fuel, purged again (to flush out any remaining Ronson residue), refilled again, blasted some in the nozle (to dislodge any gunk/residue there), ate lunch (giving time to let the fuel/nozle warm), and now the Lotus lights 100% reliably with a fully formed flame, no sputter, and even seems to burn a little hotter. Now my only real complaints are the excess play in the single-action cover and the clear-coated mild steel instead of true brushed stainless.

03-27-2012, 07:54 AM	#1
shopkins82 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 222 Trading: (1)	Re: Lighter Help I picked up one of the Brown Leather Ave Maria branded LOTUS Laser torches (same as the black leather CI branded one mentioned above) on Cigar Bid to fill out an order. So far I'm not overly impressed. The max flame height is about that of an unregulated (i.e. brass restrictor shim removed) Ronson Jetlite, but it mis-fires about 25% of the time. With the flame adjusted all the way up, it often fires w/ butane from only about 3/4 of the circumference the nozzle. To get a consistent flame I have to back off to about 85% of max on the dial. In terms of build quality, the leather inlay is nice but the metal portions are clear-coated (likely mild steel) and not bare brushed stainless as they appear in the picture. Also, the single-action cover has a bit of play and doesn't align 100% flush. I have a feeling LOTUS makes this model only for OEM branding and it wouldn't be up to snuff as part of their regular line. For the $10 I paid (often available on CB for only $7) it's not the worst money I've ever spent, but I wouldn't pay $13-$16 shipped, and surely not $25-$30 from CI, for this lighter on its own. I'll probably carry this lighter for special occaisons until I get something better (have my eye on the Xicar Element), but I'll probably stick with modded Ronson Jetlites for every-day use.