Looking for some gifts ideas for mother’s day? We have plenty in this month’s gear news. I think mum would really love the Plasma Lighter…!
PLASMA LIGHTER’S, ALL THE BUZZ
An essential item for every camper has always been a box of matches or a butane lighter. Now there is a new player in the market, the plasma lighter.
Plasma lighters first became available in 2015 but are only becoming more popular now. Plasma lighters are rechargeable, and they don’t require refilling with any gas or liquid. Once charged via USB, you can expect to get 300 uses per charge.
A plasma lighter does not produce a flame. It forms what’s called a plasma arc. Plasma is an ionized gas in which electrons flow. At the press of the button on your lighter, the stored charge passes between two nodes to create an arc of highly charged plasma. The benefit of the plasma arc over a flame is it will not blow out, and you can safely use it at any angle. Most plasma lighters come with a safety switch which restricts the ignition time to around 10 seconds.
There are a few different types of plasma lighter. I’ve chosen to review a 4tech brand lighter with the top facing dual arc configuration. This lighter has four nodes on the top. When you press the button, you will have two plasma arcs forming a cross. This design allows for more varied applications as the space around the arcs is not restricted.
It is windproof, waterproof, and shockproof. It also has a 100-lumen torch with three modes, high beam, low beam, and strobe. The ABS plastic case is available in a few different colours. It fits nicely into the palm of your hand and is quick and easy to use.
The arc lighter retails for around $20 and can be found at retailers such as BCF: bcf.com.au
ZEMPIRE KITPAC STANDARD V2 TABLE
Are you looking for a compact, versatile yet stylish camp table? Well, Zempire has delivered, introducing the Kitpac Standard V2 Table.
The tabletop being of naturally treated bamboo is lightweight yet has a weight capacity of 50kg. The built-in bottle opener on the underside could come in handy. There are table braces underneath the weatherproof bamboo to keep your table open and sturdy.
The tabletop is a four-panel folding design using hinges, and there is no elastic shock cord insight. Zempire has used a rust-resistant square aluminium tube to make the frame and legs. This helps keep the table weight down to 4.59kg. The legs are height adjustable with three points to stop at 46/53/65cm, and the feet are screw adjustable. There are no loose parts to fit together on this table.
Just unfold it, lock the legs in place and select what height you like. Once you’ve finished using the table, store it away in its polyester zippered carry bag.
The table functions quite well. It does have a bit of a wobble at the higher two settings. This wobble seems to come about due to the play in the telescopic leg design. However, it’s worth noting that this movement is similar to most compact camping tables. Overall, a lovely table. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.
SPECIFICATIONS
Kitpac Standard V2 Table
Dimensions: Tabletop 65 × 50cm Height 46/53/65cm
Packed Dimensions (H-W-D): 67.5 × 16 × 12.5cm
Weight: 4.59kg
Carry Bag: 400D Polyester bag with glow zip tabs
Warranty: 2 years
Cost: RRP $129.99
Optional Extras: Storage Hammock RRP$19.99
ALSO AVAILABLE
Kitpac Large V2 Table
Dimensions: Tabletop 100 × 65cm Height 48/57/70cm
Packed Dimensions (H-W-D): 102.5 × 20 × 13cm
Weight: 7.70kg
Cost: RRP $179.99
Kitpac Round V2 Table
Dimensions: Tabletop 90 × 90cm Height 49/58/70cm
Packed Dimensions (H-W-D): 93 × 26 × 12.5cm
Weight: 7.76kg
Cost: RRP $219.99
MORE INFO
zempire.com.au
OUTBACK ARMOUR ANGLES UP
Queensland-based Outback Armour have recently launched a new range of Upper Control Arms (UCA’s) for popular makes of independent suspension 4X4s. For the uninitiated, when you lift a 4X4 and retain factory upper control arms, you can cause additional stress to certain components, like CV joints. Outback Armour UCA’s are designed to improve the suspension geometry and enhance off-road reliability and handling.
The UCA’s are engineered in Australia and feature high-quality components like natural rubber bushes.
They will set you back approximately $785 / pair for a Ford Ranger, which includes all nuts bolts and washers for installation. For more info: outbackarmour.com.au
FYREX CI GAINS POPULARITY
With diesel prices nearing record highs, fuel-saving additives have come under the closer scrutiny of four-wheel drivers. One such product that’s gaining wider acceptance is the FIMA engineered Fyrex CI. FIMA supply much of the premium diesel fuel additives for big distributors in Australia, but they have decided to offer a consumer version in recent times. Pat Callinan has been using Fyrex CI in his Ford Ranger and Everest over the past 12 months and saw efficiency improvements of between 5% and 8%.
Fyrex CI features an organic cetane improver. This basically means that you’ll get more bang out of each drop of diesel, or in other words more efficiency. It’s claimed to be good for longevity too, with a built-in detergent, which cleans injectors and, in the process, optimises spray patterns. It also contains a surfactant (which stabilises fuel and improves fuel atomisation), and a lubricant to replace the lubricity from low sulphur levels in diesel.
Yet Fyrex CI may come into its own in outback locations. It has demulsifying properties, which reduce water entrapment in fuel, and it also contains a biocide to kill algae. Both water and algae in fuel can be a problem, particularly in outback locations, so you can appreciate why outback travellers are using Fyrex CI.
Yet it’s not just the efficiency and mechanically minded that are using the additive lately. Vehicles notorious for blowing black soot (D32 Navara owners take note!) are finding their vehicles are blowing cleaner emissions as a result of using Fyrex CI.
Fyrex CI is available at selected 4X4 stores and fuel stations. Or you can order at Fyrex.com.au
RHINO-RACK FOLDING AERIAL BRACKET
Rhino-Rack has released a folding aerial bracket, which is compatible with their Vortex Bars, Heavy Duty Bars and Pioneer platform systems. This new product will ensure your aerial receives maximum height which should assist with UHF signal range. Yet the ability to fold the aerial down will ensure you may still be able to access troublesome areas like underground carparks.
On top of this, some passengers complain of frontal vision being obstructed by a bullbar mounted aerial, so this eliminates that problem.
Price RRP $109.00. Head to rhinorack.com for more info.
