Lotus 25 Double Down

Wrote my original review of this lighter last July after having it in service for about a month. The rating was a provisional 5-Stars. It is now 3/4s of a year later and the Lotus 25 is still in daily service and is still plugging along. I am bestowing a permanent 5-STAR rating. The lighter continues in daily use, I still gotta fill it every day (as noted that is not an issue for me); the 25 Double Down is still quite reliable. The only item of note--to use the soft-flame now takes a couple of strokes of the flipper bar. Figure that is normal wear and tear on a mechanical devide. Doesn't happen all the time, just figured I should be clear in my reporting.

This lighter is getting a provisional 5-STAR rating. Have had the lighter in daily service for over a month and am quite happy with the beast. Pluses include the soft flame for lighting pipes...and I have some very deep-bowled pipes...which the flame, on a mid-level adjustment, reaches the deepest of them. The next plus...I smoke, on occasion the Irish-made Alta Gracia cigarillos; the vertical flame is just right in both height and configuration. Final plus--and this one is quite personal..the design of the lighter is ever so slightly asymmetrical-reminiscent of the Raymond Lowey-designed Avanti. I prefer a modern style combined with a Bauhaus "form follows function" nod...and this lighter gives me all of that. One item that might be mentioned...the fuel tank is a touch on the small side...for me, that is not an issue. I work virtually ; all my pipe "stuff" is at hand, so refilling as needed ain't much of a problem. Summary...form, function and utility...after one month...I like this lighter a great deal. We shall see how it holds up over the longer term...

This is my second attempt at reviewing this lighter, and my second attempt at submitting a review here at P&C. Neither one of my reviews have been favorable for the products I've reviewed, so I'm assuming the folks here don't want too many negative reviews for the products they carry; it's not good for business. I'll try, nevertheless, because it's important to get the word out. People like me depend greatly on reviews. So, as far as this lighter is concerned, it is junk and not worth your money. I take care of my gear, but it didn't keep this lighter from breaking. The switch you see on the side slides downward to ignite the flame. Mine managed to disengage from the actuating mechanism and is now worthless. I am using the secondary jet flame feature, but it's risky because you can damage your pipe. The other thing with this lighter is that even when it's full it can be temperamental to light unless you angle it downward a bit. I've made sure to purge any air in the reservoir before filling, so that's not the issue and I use quality Zippo butane. It also lacks "balls," so to speak, so the slightest breeze will prevent you from lighting your pipe unless you turn the screw on the bottom to increase the fuel flow. In closing, there are too many negatives with this lighter's performance, so buy at your own risk.

This is my second attempt at reviewing this lighter, and my second attempt at submitting a review here at P&C. Neither one of my reviews have been favorable for the products I've reviewed, so I'm assuming the folks here don't want too many negative reviews for the products they carry; it's not good for business. I'll try, nevertheless, because it's important to get the word out. People like me depend greatly on reviews. So, as far as this lighter is concerned, it is junk and not worth your money. I take care of my gear, but it didn't keep this lighter from breaking. The switch you see on the side slides downward to ignite the flame. Mine managed to disengage from the actuating mechanism and is now worthless. I am using the secondary jet flame feature, but it's risky because you can damage your pipe. The other thing with this lighter is that even when it's full it can be temperamental to light unless you angle it downward a bit. I've made sure to purge any air in the reservoir before filling, so that's not the issue and I use quality Zippo butane. It also lacks "balls," so to speak, so the slightest breeze will prevent you from lighting your pipe unless you turn the screw on the bottom to increase the fuel flow. In closing, there are too many negatives with this lighter's performance, so buy at your own risk.