Anyone had any dealings with one of these?
Sundance Solar Spark Lighter
Sundance Solar Spark Lighter
AREA 3
I'm not antisocial, just anti idiot.
If you use the phase "man up" you have alot to learn.
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools, because they have to say something" Plato.
I'm not antisocial, just anti idiot.
If you use the phase "man up" you have alot to learn.
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools, because they have to say something" Plato.
-
SJS
Re: Sundance Solar Spark Lighter
It's just a parabolic mirror with an arm to hold a single piece of tinder (like a ball of cotton).
Not terribly practical in the UK, though, as there's only about 3 weeks of the year in most areas with enough clear sky and sunshine to successfully use one of these... and that's assuming there isn't too much wind at that time.
Too bulky and too rarely useful to be worth keeping in a pack, in my opinion.
Let me put it this way: in any conditions where that gadget would work, a magnifying glass would work just as well (if not better). They're readily available, smaller (you don't need a huge one to light tinders), lighter, and multi-purpose.
Not terribly practical in the UK, though, as there's only about 3 weeks of the year in most areas with enough clear sky and sunshine to successfully use one of these... and that's assuming there isn't too much wind at that time.
Too bulky and too rarely useful to be worth keeping in a pack, in my opinion.
Let me put it this way: in any conditions where that gadget would work, a magnifying glass would work just as well (if not better). They're readily available, smaller (you don't need a huge one to light tinders), lighter, and multi-purpose.
Re: Sundance Solar Spark Lighter
I have a similar one, they do work, but can be difficult in the UK weather, just like the Fresnel lens you have to rely on no cloud cover to get the best results..
Brilliant in desert conditions.
Brilliant in desert conditions.
Two is one and one is none, but three is even better.
-
mitch66
Re: Sundance Solar Spark Lighter
hi, i have the same unit as in the photo all stainless steel works very well and very strong. if you can feel the warmth of the sun on your face then it will work with the right tinder, but it will not work on cotton wool balls as they reflect the light back to white me thinks. i got mine from mr ray mears on line shop about £15 ish. i have used one made from the bottom of a coke can it worked a treat but it takes hours to polish the base of the can. the larger the reflector the better 
the small coke can base will only work in the summer time but fun. i have also used a plastic one with a springe thing to hold the tinder better than jack but not a patch on the stainless one.
the small coke can base will only work in the summer time but fun. i have also used a plastic one with a springe thing to hold the tinder better than jack but not a patch on the stainless one.