What is it, dude? LighterMate refillable magnetic lighter, keychain and MatePlate magnetic plate.The LighterMate is nothing fancy, nor is it a major breakthrough. But by combining a refillable butane lighter with a simple magnet, it can help answer the only two questions that ever come up with lighters: "does it still have gas?" and "where did I last put it?"How much coin will it run me? About $20 for one lighter, though there's discounts on bulk orders of more than four. Custom labeling is also available.
Where can I get one? Until head shops around town start picking up on these, grab one at www.lightermate.com
I know. The usual answer is: "Who cares? I'll buy another."
I'm generally the same way -- as my desk full of dead or dying Bics and Elites can attest to. But after a week of having the LighterMate around and actually using it (adjustable flame FTW!), I started thinking. While all this might sound hippy-dippy or environmentally nerdy: just think of all the lighters you've had your hands on in all of the years you've been puffing and realize those are probably still intact in a landfill somewhere (Deep Thoughts, with William Breathes). I've since refilled the LighterMate I've been testing twice and had no issues other than a slight bit of smugness.
That argument could be made about any refillable lighter, though. So...
The other -- and arguably, the only -- selling point of the lighter is the uber-strong magnet inside that makes the Lighter Mate sticky to any metal surface. Yes, it's gimmicky. But you realize after a week that it's also mildly useful.
It also comes with a small metal plate called the Mate Plate and a magnetic key ring. The Mate Plate was designed for you cig smokers to put in your cellophane so your lighter holds to your pack. I wrapped mine around the trunk of my bong so as to always have a place for my lighter. There's also a dog tag necklace chain attachment you can hang off of your neck or pipe if you're so inclined.Other things the lighter sticks to include barbecue grills, vintage car dashboards, on that sweet custom metal bong you made in high school shop class back in the 90s.
The keyring is also a nice feature. In the week I've had my lighter attached to my keys it hasn't come off accidentally at all. The lighter casing is a bit worse for wear after being scratched up and dinged through the abuse my keys go through on a daily basis, but it still functions perfectly and sparks up nine out of ten tries.
Pot nerdy? You know it.
And that's probably where the line is drawn. Do you need a $20 refillable magnetic lighter in custom colors? Not really. Especially if you're the type of person who loses lighters or hangs around with lighter thieves (To be honest, I was sent three of these things and already I've lost one of them somewhere in the Bermuda triangle that is my house/office/car).
But if you're into accessorizing your cannabis experience or just want to keep the planet safe from all those non-deteriorating lighters then it's worth a shot. I suppose that if you make it last ten refills, or however many it takes to cover the amount of disposable lighters you could buy with $20 -- then technically it was worth the money.
Contest: We're are giving away the Bronco's orange and blue LighterMate with keyring above. Tell us about the most desperate you've ever been for a lighter and what you had to do to get your bowl lit. Out camping? In the rain? Stealthily from the oven while on vacation with the in-laws? Tell us in the comments below and we'll select a winner next Friday for 4/20.
We can't guarantee all products sent in will be reviewed, but if you've got something you think is the greatest invention since sliced pot-bread, send us an e-mail at [email protected].
