Snow Peak GS-100A Giga Auto

Review Date
September 6, 2005

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: dubois ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $50.00 at REI

Summary:
Update: REI Redmond exchanged for a new unit, but not without some resistance. When I picked up the new GigaPower first, the 2 sales reps wanted to see the broken stove. (Of course, now the piezo works.)

Their attitude was that I would have to live with intermittent operation of the piezo on the GS-100A. Maybe they've seen this problem before?

Customer Service:
What unnerved me was that they called Customer Service before I got up there to do the exchange, and they told CS they tested the stove and it worked. The CS rep tested it, too, and seemed to be giving me an opportunity to back down from wanting to exchange it. No way, the piezo failed consistently and totally for three days of a four day trip. That baby was going back. They took it in exchange, and didn't ever actually say they didn't want to do it.

Similar Products Used:
My other favorite stove is an MSR ShakerJet, no longer made. I also used a WhisperLite for 15 years, rebuilding as necessary (sometimes in the field) and liked everything except the lighting process.

Review Date
September 4, 2005

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: dubois ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $50.00 at REI

Summary:
Take matches. When I first saw Snow Peak GS-100A GigaPower stove in 2003, demo stove's piezo lighter button fell off in sales rep's hands. In 2005 (assuming piezo problem solved) I bought one; piezo failed to spark after 1 day of use. On return home, piezo worked again. I plan to exchange for another unit at retailer. The lighter is really nice.

Also get the optional wind screen, strongly advised.

Large can of fuel lasted 2 men 3 nights & mornings in summer.

Customer Service:
REI's return policy means I don't have to mess with the manufacturer or warranty issues.

Similar Products Used:
MSR Whisperlight, Whisperjet

Review Date
July 17, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Michael Busby(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Portland

Price Paid:  $63.00 at Climb Max

Summary:
Easy to use, compact, excellent fit and finish, and light. It's expensive, but built to last. This is my "other stove" when I'm not using my Svea Climber 123R.

According to Snow peak, the fuel cans are recyclable. They advised me to puncture the empty can with their can puncher tool, and take the cans to the retailer where purchased, or contact the local State hazmat center for recycling.

Similar Products Used:
MSR pocket rocket

Review Date
November 2, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Stuart (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Alabama

Price Paid:  $60.00 at REI

Summary:
I have been nothing but impressed with this stove. It has proved very dependable and trust worthy. I have used it in temps that dipped into single digits with only one problem, the gas needs to be kept warm to work properly. It is light, compact and boils in no time. You don't have to worry about clogs and cleaning like with a liquid fuel stove. If you plan to use it outside your vestibule I recomend buying the windscreen for it. The configuration of the burrner gives it no protection from the wind, so if you want to use it outside you need a windscreen. Besides that I have had no other problems with this stove.

Customer Service:
I haven''t dealt with snow peak but the service at REI is fantastic.

Similar Products Used:
Camping Gaz: Bleut
MSR Whisper Lite

Review Date
September 8, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Glenn Farrow(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Denver

Price Paid:  $63.00 at REI

Summary:
This might be a good stove, if you could find fuel for it. I have spent the last 24 hours trying to find Snow Peak fuel in the greater Denver area and there is not a single cannister to be had. If I can't find fuel in a large metropolitan area like Denver what are the chances you could find fuel in the middle of nowhere? Snow Peak insists that the stove not be used with any other type of cannister (it voids the warranty).

Customer Service:
N/A

Similar Products Used:
MSR Whisperlight, Olympus SVEA 123