Great stove for the first few years. Then it began to get moody, chugging to the point of going out, flaring up in mid meal. Then the braided fuel line went on day two of four. Then the new pump cylinder cracked (at home this time) got the replacment and the fuel consumption was amazing, I don't know how it could burn so much fuel. Last time I used the stove it turned into a flame thrower so I killed it with my size nine, and ran out to the trail head to buy a new stove in town.

But I must say for those first two years it was a wonderfull stove and a great value. Just remember sometimes you have to move on.

Customer Service

Great service, parts are costly.

Similar Products Used:

MSR wisperlite international, XGK, primus yellowstone lite trail, the big brief case coleman stoves.

I have had this stove for about 6 years and have used it in conditions from a snowstorm in the low 20s in Northern New Mexico to humid, hot weather in southeast Texas. It has never let me down. It starts flawlessly (just lay a match or lighter under the fuel heating tube in the burner area and it will light like a charm).

It simmers great, but also has the ability to boil water in no time flat.

The only problem I had was a blown O-Ring around the fuel assembly and the bottle neck, but that was due to an over-zealous camping partner pumping it about 300 times.

Great Purchase!

Similar Products Used:

None

As my first "hiking" stove, the APEX II has treated me fine. I was used to the big Coleman™ dual burners from my youth, so this has a familiar set-up. Get fuel, connect, pump and burn. It does chug, (flame pulses) but as the directions mention, this is normal. Also, if you properly pressurize the fuel container, and do the 10-20 pumps after the stove is lit, the chugging is reduced.

I've used this stove for about 7 months now. Getting ready for the AT, and while it is larger then some of the other stoves, it's been dependable so far!

Similar Products Used:

None

I think the Apex II is a fine stove. I've never had any problems with it, but then I take care of my equipment.

The below posters experience with the original Apex, a stove that hasn't been made for about 4 years, is a warning to those who buy closeout without taking the time to examine everything on the market. This sort of thing can happen anytime the consumer fails to educate themselves beforehand.

Customer Service

Never needed it

Similar Products Used:

MSR

My review is not for the peak1 apex II, but for it's older brother, the original apex liquid fuel stove. I bought it thinking that I'd own it for many years, and that it would be a nice, dependable stove. Boy was I WRONG.

First-off, this stove is much harder to start-up than the tried and true MSR's. I clogs easily, it's heavy and bulky, and cheaply made. One good thing about this stove though, it simmers very well.

Just about a year after I owned it, I went on a trip to Moab. After one meal it was more clogged with crud than a woman's sink drain! Of the tools I had with me, I could not get the darn thing apart. So we all ate cold, hard spaghetti for three dinners.

That is not the worst of it though, after that trip while I was unpacking, the worst thing possible happened: I noticed a crack in the plastic valve housing, and when I picked it up, it blew-out, and all of the pressurized fuel inside sprayed in my face and all around my room!

As a warning: DO NOT but any Coleman products if you are a serious outdoorsperson.

Customer Service

After the valve burst, I called Coleman, but they said that they didn't make that stove any more, so I could not get replacement parts. I asked about a refund, they told me to check the place where I bought it, Gart Sports. Despite all of my problems, they would not give me a refund!

Similar Products Used:

MSR, Camping Gaz, Optimus

Excellent Stove - I've used it from the AT to Colorado to Mt. Rainier. Not the fastest boiler, but it adjusts well and offers good flame for simmering. It really shines in cold weather. I've backpacked with others who struggled with their stoves in the cold, while I happily cooked away (and eventually let them use my stove to finish cooking). Search around - you can buy this one for a low price on sale.

Similar Products Used:

None

I have owned and used this stove for many years now, and am really pleased with it. Arguably, its built-in wind shield is a bit flimsy, but I carry the whole stove, pump, and spares kit around in my 1.6 litre MSR pot, so I've had no problems.

Coleman claim that it does not need priming, but thats not strictly true - the stove pretty much primes itself - just let a little fuel through, burn it off (this heats the generator), and then open up for a strong, yet completely controllable flame.

The stove is super efficient using benzine (white gas), and I've got burn times far in excess of those quoted by Coleman.

After 5 years of heavy use, its still going strong, and has never given a moments trouble. Highly recommended.

Customer Service

In South Africa, service is always a problem. When the o-rings on my fuel bottles wore out, if it were not for a friend who works at ME stores (large out-door supplier in RSA), I would have really struggled to find spares. But this is a general problem that would apply to just about any make of stove on the market in SA, so I can't really blame Coleman.

Similar Products Used:

None

Great little stove...dependable, great flame control, simmers which I find very important. What I especially is that for a weekend trip (3 days), I fill up the container which holds 10.3 oz and that is all the fuel I need. No extra bottle, tubes or anything else. Its a compact little unit that fits into my titanium pots (the smaller one)and takes up very little room in the pack. In comparing weights of various different stoves, it is important to compare like to like...this stove for example includes a fuel bottle that is part of it. When adding the ounces, compare stove/fuel bottle/fuel weight and you will see that the Peak is not too far behind and on the plus side is very compact. Like all equipment, there is maintenance and you need to place some oil into the little oil where the pump action occures. Also flexing the rubber cup will take care of any problem when the pump seems to be loose. I've had it for 4 years and no problem so far. Reliable.
Drawback? You have to pump it!

Similar Products Used:

None

Overall performance of this stove is great. Wonderful flame adjustment. I like the leg base on it, well adjustable to any terrain. I have had a few problems with it, though. After having it for two months the plunger on the pump assembly more or less quit. Adding oil helped it and I was able to get it working, however it isn't 100% and it is only a couple months old (one week long trip cooking for 3) . Also I may have overtightened the pump and damaged the rubber seal cause it occasionally leaks and I have to retighten it, my fault? I don't know. Reasonable price, great setup and concept, has a few flaws.

Customer Service

Coleman has a top of the line Peak 1 customer assistance #. Never dissatisfied.

Similar Products Used:

Peak 1's $24 disposable cell burner.

Well, I see there are alot of people who like the Apex 2. Perhaps it's an improvement over the Apex, which was heavy, and which had a flimsy pump assembly that broke; and the part turned out to be impossible to find. I mean, truly impossible. I tried to find a new pump assembly at numerous outfitters in Colorado and New England, finally gave up and bought an MSR Whisperlite. Coleman products are fine for car-camping, but when i'm backpacking I want light weight and reliability, which the Whisperlite provides.

Customer Service

Parts for Coleman products are widely available, but not the pump assembly for the Apex!

Similar Products Used:

MSR Whisperlite (buy it instead)