Reflection Firestarter

[GlockSpock]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ETHVNSS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ETHVNSS&linkCode=as2&tag=55602-20

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MUG0E6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002MUG0E6&linkCode=as2&tag=55602-20

 

Found this today.

 

 

As shown above, there are quite a few different versions marketed of this device. I feel it'd make a great supplement to any firestarting kit. It should be very durable. It should also have unlimited number of uses as long as you have proper sunlight. It'd be a great substitute for strikers/lighters/matches/etc when it could be used, allowing your consumable items to last that much longer.

Anyone have any experience with these?

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I had one as a kid but do not recall much about it. Am sure managed to light up some cardboard or paper with it. Firestarter punk of some kind would probably light up fast in direct sun.

Back in the 50s and 60s they were marketed as solar cigarette lighters, novelty solar power demonstrators. Like the little rotating vane radiometers in glass bulbs.

I have an 8.5 x 11 fresnel full page magnifier from staples or wally world. Ought to sometime check how small a solar dot that thing would focus. If it would make a small dot, ought to light up a fire pretty quick.

[china coaster]

Anyone wearing coke bottle glasses should try using them some time. When I was young some folks would light their cigarettes with them as a novelty. 

[enfield]

A BIC is cheaper, lighter (heh) and smaller.

[GlockSpock]

[quote name="enfield" post="1090285" timestamp="1389027470"]A BIC is cheaper, lighter (heh) and smaller.[/quote] And expendable. Would you take a box with you to that deserted island that you'll be for 25 years? Sent from my iPhone using [URL=http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1]Tapatalk[/URL]

[peejman]

Seems like a novelty unless you live in a tropical climate.  When will you most desperately need fire?  When it's cold and wet.  That doodad isn't likely to work in those conditions. 

[Jonnin]

Its a neat device.  Magnifying glass would do the same in a fraction the weight/space, though.  

[seez52]

I've got one of those Fresnel lens about letter page size and you'd better be damn careful with it in the sun. Will focus down to about half inch and will smoke paper or wood in a few seconds..... ants too.

[Guest theconstitutionrocks]

You can do the same thing with the reflector on a flashlight or lantern...remove the bulb, insert some cotton or a cigarette through the hole and adjust it up and down,....HEY STOP THAT!....until you get a good focal point and it should light. That or the old 9 volt battery and steel wool

[subsonic]

A sheet of clear plastic lashed to some branches with some water poured in it makes a lens.

[monkeylizard]

You can make your own from a Coke can.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Neef33lXCk

Edited January 10, 2014 by monkeylizard

[Refleks]

Pretty neat, and you could cook insects ;)