However, in nearly EVERY battletech or mechwarrior game i've played, the flamer fires a burst stream of flame at a target, inflicting a large amount of heat, and a decent amount of damage.
This would A. Require you to AIM and TIME flamer shots. and B. get rid of the disgusting flashlight visual, making it look like a burst of plasma flame flying at the target instead. Much more pleasing to the eye dont you think? Blue white and orange fire blasts make me happy!

For balance sake.....
a flamer functioning in this matter would....
Have a cycle time of 3-4 seconds
Having the same heat buildup on a target as 3-4 seconds of firing would
and having the same damage.