My sister, who I guess I have to give credit for trying, always seems to get me some gimmicky outdoor or tool product because she saw it "as seen on late night D movie time TV".
This year it was the "Atomic Lighter". One of those arc lighters you charge via USB. Man, what a piece of crap. For one thing, you have to about stick whatever you want to catch on fire pretty much right into the arc, which is in a small space that, at least with this lighter, is further hindered by a lighter cap that only opens about 45 degrees.
I tried starting the fire in the wood stove with it this morning and just about chucked the thing into the stove. There was absolutely no way to find an angle that would get it to light the paper under the kindling. The only way I could light the fire with it was by getting a separate piece of paper, inserting it into the arc (and you have to keep a finger on the "on button" at all times or the arc goes out) and then lighting the paper in the stove with that piece of paper.
I guess the concept is valid, but real world use seems extremely limited. Just for kicks I looked at Amazon reviews, where there are a bunch of 5 star reviews and a bunch of 1 star reviews. It appears people most happy with them are cigarette smokers, which I guess makes sense because the design would just about allow a cigarette tip into the arc. I don't think there's any way you could light a cigar though, and forget about a pipe.
Anyway, my advice to my APS friends is that if you ever see one at the checkout counter somewhere and get the urge to try it, save your money. :)
