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‘Lightsaber’ Flashlight Starts Fire, Cooks Eggs

If James Bond or Darth Vader needed a flashlight, this would be it.

Flash Torch Mini flashlight ignites fire
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With up to 2,300 lumens and a “high-efficiency reflector,” Wicked Lasers’ Flash Torch Mini halogen light actually creates enough heat to start a fire. It’s literally hot enough to cook eggs, observe it in action.

The Mini may well be one of the most awesome and terrifying camping accessories we’ve seen. It’s the latest iteration of the company’s old 4,100-lumen, foot-long Flash Torch.

The new Mini packs a mighty wallop into 8.5 inches and 13.5 ounces.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the only flashlight that can start a fire. Nor is it the brightest, or most high-tech. The halogen bulb is less efficient than modern LEDs, which generate far less heat. The heat created by the Mini is, in cases when you just want to see in the dark, wasted energy.

But for frying an egg, it’s pretty rad.

Flash Torch Mini: NOT A TOY

At full power, the Flash Torch Mini burns hot enough to instantly melt plastic. Charming!
At full power, the Flash Torch Mini burns hot enough to instantly melt plastic. Charming!

We know; no matter what we say, those of you who shell out $200 for one of these will immediately start lighting things on fire. Wicked Lasers knows this, too. That’s why the company equipped the Mini with a “smart switch” that prevents the lightsabe–err, flashlight, from “unauthorized use.”

Translation: this thing won’t accidentally bump “on” during a hike and cause a cataclysmic Bambi fire.

Wicked Lasers' rendering of the yet-unavailable flame-thrower mode
Wicked Lasers’ rendering of the yet-unavailable flame-thrower mode

That said, please be careful. The Mini is no toy. This thing is so crazy, in fact, Wicked Lasers goes so far as to post on the website that the Mini is “100 percent legal.”

The rechargeable Flash Torch Mini retails on the Wicked Lasers website for $200. It also has non-scorching modes so you can navigate in low light without starting a brushfire.

Illumination comparison of LED Maglite (left) and Flash Torch Mini on high mode (right)
Illumination comparison of LED Maglite (left) and Flash Torch Mini on high mode (right)

Of course, we’d love to see this thing in action. You know, for official testing purposes. And the Star Wars noises? Those are for testing purposes also.

Name:FlashTorch Mini
Lamp Output:2300 Lumens with a High-Efficiency Reflector
Dimensions:57mm x 47mm x 219mm ( Head x Barrel x Length)
Weight:387g
Power Supply:3 x 18650 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
Power Consumption:11.4V@5.5A
Battery Lifetime:30 – 100 Minutes
Bulb Type:Carley Lamps CL-1909 65W
Expected Bulb Life:60 – 1000 Hours
Color Temperature:~3400°K
Body:6061-T6 Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Finish:Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized in black
LED switch:Low, Medium, and High Power modes
Tail switch:On/Off Button
Warranty:One Year

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