Description The new generation quick-set-up multifuel expedition stove. In extreme conditions, where reliability and simplicity in use are safety issues,its at its best. The outdoor adventurer who wants less weig...
Summary: I purchased this stove at an REI used gear sale and the only thing wrong with it was that the previous owner did not oil the leather cup in the pump... fool! I have used it several times now with no problems. This was one of the best deals I have ever found at a used gear sale. I like that it has an aluminum pump and all metal construction compared with the MSR that I used to use.
Customer Service: Never used!
Similar Products Used: MSR Whisperlite, MSR Simmerlite, Peak One
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Summary: I really want to love this stove. I've had it for 6 months now and have gone on a number of hiking trips with it. It simmers great--much better than any other stove that I've used. It's a great cooking stove, I have no complaints in that respect; in fact, I praise this stove for its design and usability, it really does work well.
The problem is, the thing keeps breaking down on me! The first major trip I took with it was a 9 day trip on the Superior Hiking Trail. Three days into the trip, the stove started sputtering and losing a lot of heating power, so much that I couldn't even cook pasta. I ended up cooking over an open fire for the next three nights, then when I hooked up with a new hiking buddy we used his stove instead. When I got home, I looked at my schematic and discovered that my fuel filter had gotten clogged, perhaps with metal shavings from the new fuel bottle. I replaced the filter and didn't worry about it anymore. This didn't seem like a big deal, but the manual doesn't even mention cleaing the filter.
Well, I just got back from a one-night winter trip today, and my stove broke down again. As I was getting ready to cook dinner last night, I hooked up my fuel bottle, pressurized it, then moved the bottle a bit. The nozzle on the end of the fuel line broke off, leaving it in the fuel bottle, which sprayed fuel all over. Luckily, I hadn't lit the stove yet or I would have had a raging fireball! Note that this is not the problem that some people have, when they disconnect a pressurized tank--this is a manufacturing defect, a very dangerous one.
I'm getting this stove warranteed, but I will not hike without a backup for a long time. Like I said before, I really, really want to like this stove, want it to work, cause it cooks so well when it's working!
Customer Service: I purchased the stove (new) from Highland Gear on eBay. Their customer service has been great, fast emails and very willing to warantee my stove.
Summary: I was a little hesitant about dropping $130 on this stove, but it has proved to be well worth the cost. It is very sturdy, very compact, the flame control is very precise, and it has no plastic parts. (This was appealing to me because plastic parts on a stove seem like a silly notion)The pouch it comes with to store it in has a strap so you can attach it to the outside of your pack for easy access.
Customer Service: I haven't used it yet.
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Summary: This stove carries a lifetime warranty, but I don't forsee me ever having to use it. Buy this stove if you are in the market for a liquid fuel stove and don't mind paying a bit more for a stove that is built solidly, can burn virtually any fuel you can find, is compact, and has excellent flame control. The flame adjustment control on the Nova is nearly as good as a canister stove. The flame adjusts the instant you turn the dial. The Nova is easy to light and has excellent stability. I have used large pots on it without any trouble. The first couple times I used the Nova fuel shot out of the pump when I disconnected the fuel hose from the burner, but only because I hadn't properly depressurized the fuel bottle. I have since learned how to do this by using the flip-stop feature by flipping the fuel bottle over and letting the flame burn out on its own and then waiting until the stove has completely cooled down and I haven't had a repeat incident of this. I feel that the Optimus Nova is the best stove on the market at any price.
Similar Products Used: Coleman Xtreme
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