Optimus No. 111C Hiker

Review Date
December 29, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: miesos ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $29.00 at ims plus

Summary:
I picked this stove up when i was in college. It was for sale on a military surplus site. The stove is a real workhorse. I took it on multiple trips and it has performed flawlessly. It is a little on the heavy side. look at the nova or svea for lighter models with similar durability. Try to find this stove used. new it is quite expensive. (look on e-bay)

Customer Service:
in my experience optimus stoves are designed not to need customer service. A&H enterprises in california has been helpful.

Similar Products Used:
optimus nova, svea 123, msr whisperlite trangia alcohol burners.

Review Date
June 26, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: rik_uk3 ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $70.00 at eBay

Summary:
Had my Hiker 111 multifuel a few months now, a great stove, very high heat output, you can control the flame from full blast to low simmer. If your used to kero/white gas stoves, lighting is very simple. Some say they are heavy, but I think the weight is fine if two of you are backpacking. Stoves like the Nova are not much lighter when you take into account the weight of a full separate fuel bottle.

Maintainence is simple, but make sure you know how to strip the stove before you use it in the field, and take a couple of spares, like graphite packing, and a pump leather (never had to carry out any maintainence on mine).

As with all Optimus products, the build quality is superb.

Customer Service:
not needed

Similar Products Used:
Svea 123, 123R, Trangia 25 & 27, Optimus 8R, 99, Primus 96, 210, 221, 5, 2 and 1, and about 50 other liquid fuel stoves.

Review Date
November 21, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: cooler(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $75.00 at Ebay

Summary:
Dang too many bidders hopped on this one, and jacked up the price! I paid too much for, but I just had to have it. Mine is an older model, 111 Hiker. My other 8R's needed their big brother, you see. At first, I was not enlightened about a silent burner type, so I had to learn how it was supposed to be configured for gas and kerosene fuel. Once I got the hang of it, it fired up an impressive ball of blue flame. It can boil a liter of water in a hurry--about 5 minutes or so; with the priming time, it takes a couple of minutes longer.

Yes, it is a little heavy, but think of it this way: if you have dragged around Coleman's double burner suitcases, you will be happy to lug this "compact" one instead--and you get the similar firepower of the Coleman. While Coleman will crumple like a tin can when stepped on, this Swedish strong box will keep its shape; just don't make a habit of driving your Hummer over it.

Hiker 111 will cook for a pack of famished beasts in no time. It is stable, powerful, and reliable. It has a great range of control--from simmer to the blue inferno. It takes a little longer to prime it, because of the chunky size of the burner.

Since it is a bit heavy to carry on your back, use it for car trips or canoe trips, etc. I guess I will have to get a canoe now.

Customer Service:
Whut fur?

Similar Products Used:
Optimus 123, 8R, 99; Coleman 425F, 424, 400A.

Review Date
August 28, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: takujualuk(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Hay River, NT. Canada

Price Paid:  $125.00 at Modern Outpost

Summary:
I haven't wrung it out yet but after reading various reviews I am surprised how small this stove is. Yes it's a bit heavy but is reasonably compact and comparable to my Dragon Fly with the wind screen/fuel bottle ect. I was expecting a much bigger mini coleman camp type stove by the descriptions but it is actually pretty good. Set up is fast and easy and things like a funnel and repair kit can be packed in the steel case. I'd say it is a bit pricey but I guess the Swedes need to pay for universal social programs somehow. I'll have a chance to wring it out in sub zero temperatures this winter and may post back at this time.

Customer Service:
The first stove was damaged in transit looked like it was dropped from a great height. Modern Outpost sent a replacement the same day I let them know it had been damaged in transit. They simply needed e-mail confirmation that I was sending the original back.

Similar Products Used:
All kinds of gasoline single burner colemans... MSR Dragonfly and whisper light, 2 & 3 burner Colemans

Review Date
October 13, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Phillip Stevens(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Alaska

Price Paid:  $15.00 at Used at a Gear Swap

Summary:
I bought this 111 used at a Gear Swap. It has the new model multi-fuel burner, and built-in jet cleaning needle. I cleaned off the grease and black soot, lubed up the pump, and tightened the gas valve flange a bit (which leaked the first time I tried to use the stove), and it works perfectly. I was able to heat a quart of water in about 4 minutes.
This stove is heavy and strong. Because of the weight, I will probably reserve it for road trips, boating trips, and the occasional appocalypse (the fuel versatility, and toughness would also be key in this situation).
This stove produces high heat at a full roar (The 111 is among the quietest camp stoves I have ever used), but also, because of the burner design, simmers nicely - much better than my Optimus 8R.
The value rating on this stove depends on how much the stove costs. In my case this was an awsome deal (5 out of 5). I have seen new ones for as much as $140 - not such a good deal. So I will give it a 3 out of 5 value rating.

Customer Service:
I haven't needed it yet.

Similar Products Used:
Optimus 8R
Optimus 123
Coleman Peak 1
Coleman dual burner
MSR Whisperlite