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Soto Pocket Torch

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Product Description,
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Reviews

The Soto Pocket Torch turns a disposable lighter into a powerful wind-resistant burner that reaches temperatures up to 2,300°F.

Backpacker April ’10 says of the Soto Pocket Torch, “Just put a 50-cent lighter into this little widget, and you get a mini blowtorch that produces a searing-hot blue flame.”
Pocket Torch accepts rectangular disposable lighters (not included); does not fit round disposable lighters, such as Bic lighters
Perfect for lighting stoves and starting campfires; can also be used around the house to cut rope, solder small objects and light your mood candles
Designed for use below 5,000 ft. in elevation
Soto Pocket Torch weighs only 1.8 oz. (without lighter) and measures 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.9 in.

Imported.

Item 806554

with coupon code ANNV13
May 17-27 Details

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Soto Pocket Torch Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Soto Pocket Torch

3.2

(based on 64 reviews)

62%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (41)
Easy to use (40)
Compact (38)
Functional (35)
Easy to set up (9)

Cons

Doesn't work (19)
Difficult to use (5)

Best Uses

Camping (40)
Backcountry camping (33)
Day trip (30)
Trips (28)
Survival (26)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (32), Casual/ recreational (24), Outdoor professional (4), Military/law enforcement (3)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Survivalist / minimalist (33), Comfort driven (25)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (40), Yes (5)

Reviewed by 64 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jan

2013

4.0

Functions as it's own backup

By Used to Be

from Mount Vernon, Wa

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Use
Good Design

Cons

Hard to Clean

Best Uses

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

I beat the living tar out of it. I never put this thing away. I use it to light cigars, seal the ends of paracord, and of course, light all kinds of fires. I kept it with me working on a farm all summer and through Halloween. I dropped in dirty mud, kept it in my pocket which accumulated all kinds of dirt and debris, and it held up. It started to take a few attempts to light and the flame was pretty sparse, so I took it apart, cleaned out the fuel channel and put it back together and it's bodacious again. Buy one for your yourself, or your idiot friend.

Comment on this review

Nov

2011

5.0

Exemplary

By Towson Turner Sultan

from Mountain Bike Trail MARYLAND

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Excellent in wind
Ingenious
Pinpoint focused flame
Reliable

Cons

Best Uses

Life

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

Universal fuel source availability! Scripto lighters are the default generic lighter, it seems to me that fuel is available at 96% of convenience stores worldwide. Yeah I know you're still contributing to the waste stream by using a disposable lighter but gear should fit my need. Easy refuel while out in the "wild" is a huge benefit and reason alone to buy it.

Comment on this review

Nov

2011

2.0

Totally frustrated!

By luv2walk

from Paradise Valley, Nevada

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Lightweight

Cons

Can't find lighter to fit

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Campgrounds
Day Trips
Survival
Trips
Winter Camping

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

This looked like something my husband and sons could really use. However, we cannot find the disposable lighter to insert inside of the torch! So have not been able to use it!

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

5.0

Great little camp lighter

By Trent the hiker biker photographer

from Madison, WI

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Easy to Use
Functional
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Campgrounds
Trips

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

Bought this for camping and liked its small size compared to long butane lighters. It throws a good flame, and is good for starting a camp stove, or a camp fire if you've got plenty of kindling or a few fire starters.

More reliable than matches, though it took a few trips to various gas stations to find a lighter that would fit. Just buy a few right away and you won't have to worry about replacing them for a few years. I use mine every time we go camping, and have yet to run out of butane this year. Great little camp accessory.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

1.0

poor performance

By greenbro

from Reno, NV

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Lightweight

Cons

Difficult to Use
Ineffective

Best Uses

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

Tried using the Soto pocket torch on a one week backpacking trip in Yosemite. After fiddling around w/ the torch attempting to light our stove one morning for coffee, one of my partners exclaimed, "Throw that [*] torch away and use the disposable lighter inside it!" Never brought it out again.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Won't operate at the altitudes I hike in

By Camping Squirrel

from Anaheim, California

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact

Cons

Difficult to Use
Ineffective

Best Uses

Campgrounds
Low Altitudes

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

All Piezoelectric ignition systems are not created equal!

This item was brought out for use after a heavy rainstorm at around the 10,000 ft. level at Cottonwood Lakes, CA. Yes, I knew that the literature stated "not for use over 5000 ft", but it was worth a try...and it was a new item.

Needless to say the Soto would not light. But what was MOST surprising, is that when we attempted to light the Soto with the flame from another lighter, the Soto WOULD NOT LIGHT!.....

But the Piezo ignitors on BOTH my trusty JetBoil PCS, and my Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove, operated with perfection, lighting each stove, first time, every time!

When we got down to Mammoth Lakes, @ 8200 ft. the Soto still would not light. I removed the upper head, and noted that there was no electrical discharge.

Upon going home, in O.C. California, @ 300 ft above sea level, (by Disneyland), the Soto worked perfectly.
However, I also removed the head, and noted that the Soto's spark was present, yet feeble.

Likewise, I also tried to light the Soto with the flame from another lighter, and am reporting that the Soto, again, would not light!

Since the majority of my backpacking is in the High Sierras, 8000 ft and above, I cannot recommend this item...what I don't understand is why the Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove's piezo worked so well,... but the Soto lighter did not.

You would think that Soto would have the same system in both the lighter and the stove.

Or perhaps, they should use a button cell battery to ignite the Soto.
After all, one positive attribute of the Soto, is in a situation like mine, removing the Scripto lighter from the Soto at least allowed for a working lighter.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

1.0

Broke all ready!

By Lloyd Morley

from Hiram, Oh

About Me Professional/Guide

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Set Up
Easy to Use
Functional
Lightweight

Cons

Ineffective

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Campgrounds
Day Trips
Survival
Trips
Winter Camping

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

I got it and thought its was the coolest thing. Now it has not been a week and it's broke!

Comment on this review

Aug

2011

1.0

Unreliable

By jsvm

from NY

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Lightweight

Cons

Ineffective

Best Uses

Campgrounds

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

Produces a nice blue flame when it works, about once out of every 10 tries. Most disposable lighters will be too short, a piece of paper helps for the right fit. Will only last for a couple of uses afterwards. Too unreliable to take as your only fire starter.

Comment on this review

Jul

2011

4.0

Great For The Price

By nickfish03

from Minnesota

About Me Professional/Guide

See all my reviews

Pros

Cheap
Uses Disposable Lighters

Cons

Ignition system
Lighter Container

Best Uses

Backpacking
Camping
Hobby

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

I've used this lighter for a full year now, and for[$], it's a keeper. It was given Backpacker Magazine Editors Choice Award, which is why I bought it.The ignitor, you need to click once and then click again in succession to start it, but then it puts out a good jet of flame Not a fault of the lighter, but because the gas needs to escape the disposable lighter into the SOTO chamber.It would be nice to have the option of using any disposable in it (can't use round BICs), but I bought a 6 pack of rectangle Scripto lighters for a couple bucks and no problem. My only Mod is I put a tiny rectangle of soda-can aluminum in the bottom so the disposable doesn't jiggle around.Compared to a high end refillable lighter this is a great deal, I recommend it. - Cheers

Comment on this review

Jul

2011

1.0

Too much whiz and not enough bang!

By NWwanderer

from Longview, WA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

None

Cons

Ineffective

Best Uses

Comments about Soto Pocket Torch:

Well I thought, hey all these bad reviews can't be correct, I mean Backpacker Magazine gave this thing an editor's choice award. Well the other negative reviews were correct, this thing is junk! I could not get this thing to work in the comfort of my own home. I could not imagine having to try and use this thing in the field!