I have had the Dragonfly since 1998 (when it came out). I picked it up on a sale. It has proven to be very reliable...no problems. Can simmer like a dream. Despite the plastic pump, have had no problems with breakage(I agree, wouldn't mind having an aluminum one, even as an option. Have had no dropoff in performance, like others are reporting. No problems with breakage or clogging as well. Haven't done any maintence or care other than putting it back in the stuff sack. Wondering what other people are doing to their equipment? Backpacking gear is meant to be lightweight yet strong, not indestructable. Have owned many other stoves, and have given them all away to my friends and family. Has worked well in all conditions, from beach car camping to the top of Mt. Whitney. Advantages are reasonably light, durable and reliable, stable pot support, parts are easily available, can boil fast, simmer as well as any butane stove, very efficient, uses inexpensive Coleman fuel (no problems with clogging), have the ability to use other fuels (but never had tried yet), cost (initially seemed pricey, but after owning the stove seems reasonable) Only real downside, is it can be a bit loud at full blast, but I actually sort of like it. Makes it seem that I have a mini-blast furnace...plus it can be a subtle hint to your fellow hikers to get up in the morning. Also the stove needs priming...nothing different than any MSR or most other liquid fuel stoves. Very happy with my stove. Would definitely buy again.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it or do any maintenance on the stove yet.

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Owned previously a Whisperlite, Camping Gaz, Coleman Peak 1, Primus

Sofar i've had no problems with the stove. but the only complainyt about it is teh fuel line. with it no being detachable it always sticks out of the stove at a funny angle and im wondering when im gonna pack it away and it get broken off. The stove is very good, light but noisey. the further the flame is turned up the louder it gets - annoyingly loud! Only problem was with the fold out legs. i tried being smart once and left two of the legs folded in, this was so i could balance a can of beans on the stove to heat them up. but the heat stressed the legs and i had great dificulty getting them to fold out perpendicular to the stove again - but i did manage it in the end! I've not tried any mineral fuels like meths. i couldnt find any one that had either, but ive yet to see if it clogs the jet up! please reply if u do know :)

Customer Service

Never delt with them - dunno

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Trangia. good place to start but once youve used a pressure stove there aint no going back. ive never had to clean a pan bacause of sooting since!

We have used the Dragonfly on bike tours in both the U.S. and South America for over a year total time. We find that clogging is a major problem with anything other than Coleman, MSR, or other white gas that is extremely clean. Clogging for this stove means that it literally quits burning in the middle of cooking a meal. Cleaning is required just about every 2 to 3 days and must include using a sharp needle to scrape carbon off the grooves of the flame adjuster. We found that cleaning took at least 1/2 hour every time. In addition, the threads on the inside of the flame adjuster stripped on the stove we took to South America. There is nothing you can do to fix this other than get a new stove. We have had this happen to not just one but two stoves. This stove is fine for short backpack trips but it's too fragile and finicky for long term adventures.

Customer Service

After our flame adjuster stripped in South America we emailed MSR to see if they could help. They simply sent the address of a distributer in Tierra del Fuego and left the problem in our lap. Knowing

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MSR Whisperlite International, Coleman Apex 1 Peak II multifuel

I really like the versatility of the Dragonfly. A take anywhere, burn anything cooking machine tool. The only drawn back is that it's a little hard to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature while cooking. It's name is fitting it sounds like a large Dragonfly ready to do battle with Godzilla.

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Whisperlite, Pocket Rocket

I've had this stove for four years now (bought it when it first came out, because I wanted a multi-fuel stove that will simmer)and I love it. It has that classic MSR jet power when you need it, and the soft touch as well. I have used all sorts of fuel, and it works great, at any altitude. I have hauled this all over. It packs tight and burns economically. Primes fast and burns HOT. Minimal needed maintenace. I just broke a small plastic moulding that sits just above where the fuel line connects to the pump, and I will have to buy a new pump for $30.00. Improvements? You sometimes have to really pull to disconnect the fuel line from the pump (hence the small plastic lip that broke after four seasons). I also made some notches in the pot stands for extra traction on the bottom of pots (but it worked well for three years before I did it). This is a great stove, and I love it and would spend the money again.

Customer Service

N/A.

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Tried all the multi-fuelers.

This has been my best purchase to date. The only thing to be careful of is the plastic plunger for pressurizing the fuel bottle, if you break this good luck priming the stove. Also a good idea to carry a spare parts kit...it will allow you to fix any part of the stove except the priming plunger and shaker jet assembly. This stove will out perform any stove out there. The only complaint is from other hikers who complain it is loud. They only complain because they have to wait longer for their water to boil than you do.

Customer Service

Not needed at this time!

I can clean and fix this in the woods without many spare parts, and plastic means lightweight. Though the Optimus Nova may look more appealing, the coupling on the fuel pump is extremely unreliable and dangerous. Both stoves cook to perfection, and though the nova may be faster. But dont be worried about shaving seconds off of boiling a pot of water. If youre worried about that you forgot to leave your baggage at home. Instead take in the scenery and set up the tent

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MSR Whisperlite International and dangerous Optimus Nova

Overall this is a great stove. It more than makes up for its weight in performance. I wouldn''t trade it for anything else. Mine seems to boil in 4 minutes. The ability to simmer is its strongpoit. I would recommend it to anyone.

Customer Service

N/A

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Primus Yellowstone Coleman Campstove (Big Green) Optimus OO

I used this stove over a 15 day period for a trip to Mt. McKinley in 2001 and it was a great performer ... however ... it is a fragile stove and I would not recommend it unless you carry a full array of spares for the pump. Our two MSR stoves brought on the trip both had pump problems (XGK & Dragonfly) -one broke at the interface between the stove and the pump and the other where the plunger enters the pump body. Luckily, we cobbled the stoves together and kept them working throughout our trip. Performance / Ease of use - the stove worked very well and was extremely easy to use and clean. We were warned by the Denali Rangers of problems other groups were having with the Dragonflys and XGKs not working but our stoves had no problems. The stove is loud but puts out a lot of heat. The controls are simple to use and regulate temperature as best can be expected for a white gas stove. A good stove with a weak link - the pump. I would recommend this stove only if you are willing to take another pump assembly on your trip. After the trip, I sold this stove (I have a Peak 1 Xtreme that is a better overall stove) but if I had to purchase another white gas stove, I would probably look at a Primus due to the stronger aluminum pump

Customer Service

MEC in Vancouver is exceptional - they replaced the broken parts very quickly with minimum hassle.

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Primus, Peak1 Xtreme

I had a whisperlite and got sick of torching everything I made with it so I decided to get something with more adjustment. Did a internet search and came across come charity group selling off Y2K stockpiles came with a bottle for $69. So far this stove has performed great for me. It simmers well and boils fast. If you don''t need to simmer get the whisperlite, if you do get this one.

Customer Service

Pump broke on my whipserlite and they send me a new one free.

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whisperlite