This has always puzzled me. Judging by the prices on ebay, the 8R seems to be much more in demand, and much more expensive, than the 99s. I don't own an 8R but I do have a 99 that I love. Why the attraction to the 8R? It seems to me that the 99 is more efficient in its design and is more compact. The plain aluminum case also doesn't suffer the discoloration and blustering of the 8R painted case. I used to think I wanted an 8R but now I'm thinking I'll skip it and just try to get a 111T to be the big brother to my 99. Any thoughts?
hmm... I would have guessed the opposite - I have both, but for day hikes and versatility, the 99 can't be beat (everything fits inside, including wind screen, meths bottle, folding Ti spork, sparker, stainless mesh screen for espresso/turkish coffee, small Nestle's instant coffee, etc.) the 111T is a great stove, but the 111 (kero) is the best performer and for me, more desirable - especially in windy conditions... (have both as well) just my US$0.03 (adjusted for inflation) willie on the setting-sun Gulf of Mexico
I just checked the sold items on ebay and the prices seem comparable between the two models, but it still seems that you can get a really nice 99 for about the same price as a nasty 8r. Bottom line for me is that since I already have a 99 I'll stop lusting for an 8r and keep trying to find a kero burning 111.
The opposite is true this side of the pond. Perhaps more 99s than 8Rs were shipped to the US? The 99 usually goes for more than an 8R, though the 99s are often incomplete. There is not much to loose with an 8R. Like you and Willie, I much prefer the 99. No rust issues and the lid doubles as a cooking pot. In fact I was only thinking the other day that the 8R seems to sit on the shelf whilst the 99 is in regular use. Terry
Did you hear about the man who opened a toaster store? He only sold one model and it retailed for $1million. A customer asked him how he expected to stay in business with such a price. "I only have to sell one" he replied.... Value does not always correlate to function. Often times sentimentality plays a big part.
One thing I would like to have for my 99 is a red control knob instead of the key. I don't see them often on ebay. Does anyone know if they will fit nicely in the 99 case or are they too long?
The 99s didnt rust out like the 8Rs but less were made. I paid more for my 99 but I had to paint my 8R. The 99 is more prone to overheating if you use too large a pot
Hi, Lonnie, I got a huge chuckle out of your question!! It wasn't that long ago, that the 99s were the stoves that were in short supply, and everyone moaned about the huge prices it took to score one! During that same time, 8Rs were selling for between $20-$40, or not selling, at all!! I had more than a dozen 8Rs, back when I used to buy everything I found, and NO 99s, for the longest time. Now, I have about equal numbers of both models. I like them both, but probably lean more towards the 8R, for some reason. When I weigh them, head to head, there really isn't that much difference between them, oddly enough. Just my tuppence, and worth what you paid to read them!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. I've never seen a 99 with anything but a key for regulation, and none with a red knob on a spindle (like the earlier 8Rs used) I much prefer the knob spindle, to the key, by the way!).
I had both, sold the 99 and kept the 8R. There was more room (or so it seemed) in the 8R, it was a LOT easier to customize, mine bordering on the extreme, much less prone to overheating with a larger pot on it, easier to fill with fuel, IMO, and much less likely to end up with a case of "Primus thumb"! My 8R also fits into a cast iron frying pan that looks like it was made custom for it, takes the place of the half-pot the 99's cover becomes. I'll keep my 8R, it just feels right. Murph
Anyone care to comment on a similar comparison between the 10R Ranger and the 199 Ranger? [Strange they had the same name for both of those different stoves...] I want input to if I really need to find a 10R to complement my 199. Or if it's just a nice thing to have...
My 10 ranger seems much more powerful than my 199 but I think the main reason is the 199 wire pan supports are, imho, to tall. I think a 10R is well worth having but I would wait for a good deal as you probably won't use it much, it is kinda scarey.
Do not hesitate, get an 8R and a 111T. You can fall in love with all of them. 111T and 111B are the main stoves I always reach for. Re. the small ones 8R, Svea 123 and 199 Ranger. Amogst those 3 my 199 get's used the least, since I just love her so much.
So much good stoves to choose. I have both the 8R, 99 and 123R. Do mostly think of the 99 and 8R as little different, but I use usually the 8R for some reason, might be because it is a smaller version of the 111. Yet, I use the 123R even more because of the weight, slightly higher output, you can fit the stove in the pot and the fact you can buy brand new ones if it gets damaged. My 8R has an Enders 9061 silent burner and is more sturdier than the 123R tho. When it comes to 111 and 111T, I mostly use the 111T because of the reduction in noise, "use it often inside cabins or tents and often for heating the room/tent". Do not care so much for the wind since I mostly often have a windscreen or dig down in to the snow if needed.
