Markill Spitfire

Review Date
February 8, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $40.00 at direct

Summary:
This stove was actually an attempted replacement of the titanium hot shot from Vaude. That stove was hopelessly flawed, so I decided to try this one. My first one was mis-manufactured, the pot supports weren't able to come to a level position. So I sent it back and got another. Works great, boils water relatively fast, very stable. But it's very heavy and bulky for a butane stove. Not only that, there are lighter, smaller, and better performing stoves for the same money out there. Only if you want the semi-wind resistance and stability of this stove should you buy it. Otherwise, go for just about anything else.

Customer Service:
Great people. They took back the titanium without question and sent me this.

Similar Products Used:
Hot Rod titanium, Priums micron.

Review Date
June 1, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: metoliusdmm(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Orem, Utah United States

Price Paid:  $35.00 at Mountainworks

Summary:
This is a great little stove, i think it is just perfect for the week or weekend backpacker. it is light wieght, (kinda) but a plus is it is small. i would suggest this for anyone. great stove, boils fast.

Customer Service:
none

Similar Products Used:
markill dragonfly, and msr superfly

Review Date
August 3, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Dale (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $30.00

Summary:
Nice stove, maybe even great for the price. Construction is strong, no flimsy pot supports or fragile plastic parts. Burns hot on full blast, without being overly noisy. Surprisingly good simmer, but the smallish (actually, mid-size) burner can scorch if you're using non-conducting (steel or titanium) cookware. Built-in windscreen, hallelujah! Comes in a hardcase for protection, unnecessary given the hardcore construction, but a good place to store a spae lighter (see below re: piezo). Works pretty well in cold, though as the temp gets to 30F you can definitely see some dropoff both in boil efficiency and in ability to burn all the fuel in the canister (iso mix).

One complaint: I managed to break the piezo after one month, but that was from repeatedly adjusting it because I couldn't get the darn thing to spark flame reliably. But to tell the truth, I've never had much luck w/ piezo's anyway.

I've used it for almost two years now, maybe a total of 40 nights, and except for the piezo it looks almost new.

Customer Service:
Emailed them about the piezo problem. They promptly replied, asked me to call to get a replacement, seemed appropriately sympathetic. No complaints.

Similar Products Used:
Big green Coleman two-burner. Have used others' MSR liquid fuel stoves. Liquid fuel is too much an art form for me. Canister is so much easier and dummy proof.

Review Date
June 3, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: metoliusdmm(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Orem, Utah United States

Price Paid:  $40.00 at mountainworks

Summary:
this is a very nice stove, great cooking time boils water in about 4-5 min, fast for me, very light weight, very compact, you can fit in most pots or mess kits, had mine for 3 years, still works just like it was new, very nice stove.