I got a Colibri lighter as a gift about a year ago, I'm unsure of the model but it's the $95 one with a guillotine on it. And anyway, it just seemed to poop out on me, the lighter won't light well (I’ve used nothing but colibri butane) and the cover to the tank broke off.

Anybody know there policy on fixing their equipment? I would expect for about $100, I could get more use out of it. And it's not like I'm taking this thing camping, it hasn't seen a ton of use. A Bic lighter would have lasted longer.

My wife bought me a $250 Colibri lighter with a cutter 3-4 years ago. As soon as I went to refill it (with Colibri) fuel, it never lit properly again. When I brought it back to local where I bought my cigars for repair advice, he told me he didn't sell them for just that reason. You'd think when all you do is manufacture lighters, you could at least get that right. I use it for a cutter now.

My Dad got a Colibri lighter a few years ago. I couldnt wait to see it. However, the first time I held it in my hand, I couldnt help but think how cheap it felt. It felt like cheap plastic. I guess I was expecting it to feel more solid and a lot heavier.

He's had nothing but problems with his since he bought it. Just my .02, but these things arent worth the money. If your's is under warranty you may be able to send it back to them. Check out this link:

http://www.colibri.com/nofService.cfm?CFID=969986&CFTOKEN=20679671 

Here we go again with the Colibri debate.

I've said it a dozen times before, I've got about a half dozen various Colibris (including the Trifecta) and haven't had a single problem with any of them ...

I use only Lava (quintuple-refinded) fuel, and I 'purge' the air out of them 'every time' before I refill them ...

... and of course, there are the 'cheapie' Colibri lighters that are lightweight and with no 'heft' to them ... and then you have the Trifecta that feels like a lead paperweight, and is very well constructed.

If you don't like 'em ... get a Blazer, or one of those inexpensive torch lighters that you can just toss ... or don't care if you loose it. That's what I carry around with me for everrday use when I'm out of the house.

Slim.......

.......you forgot to tell him to do a search first....

jeezy peezy!

Jeff

You can contact Colibri at 1-800-551-1351. That is their Service Department. They should be able to help you. You want to make sure that you still have a copy of the invoice that shows the date of purchase.

If you purchased the lighter from us, we can print out a copy of the invoice for you.

If there is anything else I can assist you with, please let me know! Feel free to email me at [email protected]

I've had my colibri for years, once it took a trip out of a car window at 65mph (trying to ditch someones beer can and it slipped), I gave up on it thinking it was trashed, three hours later I was driving by the same spot and saw it in the middle of the road, picked it up and it worked fine. Purge the air out every time you refill it and it will work fine. Mine was about $69.95.

John L

Go to the colibri website. There's a page there that tells you how to maintain your lighter and properly purge / refill it. I had a torch and a pipe lighter go bad on me. Sent them both back to the service dept for repairs (I paid for shipping there and back). I had the torch a little over a year and cost $15.00 to rebuild and fix. The pipe lighter had only been purchased about 4 months before it died. That one was repaired free. Took about 6 weeks to ship too, have them diagnose, I authorized repairs, they repaired and shipped back. Both are working fine so far.

I have two Colibris. One has worked flawlessly since purchased and the other crapped out after I tried to refill it. I sent it back to Colibri for out of warranty repair. For only the shipping and handling charge, they fixed it in about a week. This was six months ago and it's worked fine ever since. Here's a link to their site:

http://www.colibri.com/nofService.cfm?CFID=247045&CFTOKEN=77159086#blow 

Fogive the T-Jack... how does one "purge" the air out of the Colibri lighters?

I have about 6 Colibri lighters, and after filling them a few times... then tend not to work as well... I do use their own brand of butane as well.

Any help would be appreciated...

Thanks.

PT 🙂

Just press in the small round fill valve with a paper clip or something, you will hear the air pressure rushing out, when you can't hear it anymore its done. Then go ahead and refill it. Don't do this while smoking or near a flame as some of the escaping gas may still be butane.

John L

chuckler --- exactly what Jdllizard said, and try to find some Lava (or any quintuple-refined) butane ... If you can.

I believe KING® Premium Butane is one of the best triple-refined butane fuels there is, and it is very inexpensive (minus their high shipping), if you go to their website. This would be my choice, if I couldn't find 5X refined ...

Keep in mind, regardless of the brand name, all butane fuels are used for a common purpose. However, they are not all the same. Some have different refinement processes while others use different "recipes" to produce the final product. So basically, all triple-refined (or higher) butane fuels are not the same ...

Not owning a Colibri I can only ask:

Do the instructions tell you to use a "triple refined" butane? Or, did you find this out by trial & error? Some of us yuks don't know that stuff and we only find it out by reading this terrific board. Guess when I finally get mine for Christmas...AHEM..Dear, if you're reading this...I'll use the good stuff. Thanks.

Do the instructions tell you to use a "triple refined" butane?

No ... they tell you to use 'their' fuel (of course), which IS triple-refined, or it will clog the lighter ... which is BS, as long as you use triple-refined or higher.

"IMPORTANT: Be sure to use Colibri premium butane, and is instructed how to refill properly. Colibri premium butane is specifically designed for Colibri lighters. The canister is pressurized at 45 psi, and is the cleanest available. Use of other brands of butane with unknown pressures and levels of contamination will clog the butane feeding system, and affect the performance of the lighter."

I use the correct fuel, purge at refill, etc and have had many problems with my Colibri. I would never buy another Colibri product.

The only problem i had was taking it on a plane in checked baggage... TSA took it.. poop

I have had a Colibri for about a year and have had no real problems. Although it does require frequent purges.

That said... What is a better "torch" style lighter?

Cheers,

Many thanks to all for the info!

Cheers,

PT 🙂

hmmm... i think i will just stick with my trusty zippo.

16 years and still lights first time every time....

sorry for the thread jack

wes

I too like my Zippo. I have a Colibri as well and the only complaint is the button gets scorching hot after toasing and lighting a big fat cigar. You can forget handing it to your smoking buddy immediately afterwards (unless they really aren't your buddy....)it's way to hot!!