I just picked up one of the newer (unfortunately Chinese made) Optimus Nova's from a thrift store for fairly cheap. I've been messing around with it for about a week now and I have to admit that I like this stove a lot more than I thought I would. I understand the older CJEN Sweden models are more sought after, do the newer ones just have a bad reputation because of the poor machining recall on some of the earlier bayonet models? It really seems like a cool stove and it will probably motivate me to track down some of the CJEN originals eventually. Just curious to see what the rest of you all think of them. My current favorite stove for winter use is the Primus Omnilite, but I always carry a spare pump and fuel hose as those two parts CAN fail in a way you won't be repairing in the field. All those spare parts actually push it's weight above the Nova and the Dragonfly which has me thinking about swapping.
@907_Nick I have both versions of the Nova and Nova+ and I prefer the newer style of fuel line and the new pumps and I have retrofitted a couple of older stoves, and the main reason is the CEJN fitting. I've fixed 6 or 7 pumps now and while I like the quick disconnect feature eventually the 2 O-rings are going to fail again at some point and with the newer fitting you just replace 1 external O-ring and you are good to go. The second reason is the newer style has a fuel shutoff knob and is less likely leak fuel when disconnecting with a pressurized bottle. Yes, you can flip the bottle and bleed off air pressure through the line but what if you forget. If the CEJN fitting does not lock back you could spray fuel from the fitting. I've used these stoves as stand alone's as well as in Trangia windscreens. BTW I have at least 6 of the recalled stoves and Katadyn has sent me a new replacement pump free every time. Also, if you want your primus fuel line to last DO NOT use the hose for tightening the regulator to the fuel source, use only the fitting itself, don't apply torque to the fuel line. Mike
