Acquired another MSR FireFly. They are such good stoves. I thought I would do a head to head competition between the first one I acquired and this new (to me) FireFly. We'll see how it goes... Here we are at the starting line, firing up our engines. The stove on the right is the challenger. The left is the reigning champion. The challenger is doing a burnout to get things really warmed up. The veteran is keeping his cool. They're off. Looks like our champ is pulling ahead. Champ has got his engine really fired up, while our challenger is having a hard time. Our champ is really going for it, but where's our challenger. He should have stayed home tonight folks! Oh, oh, the challenger is trying to make a comeback, he's pouring on the gas (literally). It's now or never! Our challenger is giving it all he's got now. He just figured out that the fuel bottle valve wasn't turned up and let 'er rip! He blames that one the pit crew. Our challenger is really heating things up, check out the pot support! He's not quitting now! He's caught up to the champ! He's hot on his heels. Look at the glowing burner bell! Our Challenger wins by a glowing lead! What an exciting race folks! We'll see you next time at the NHSA (National Hot Stove Association). sam
I love the smell of Coleman Fuel in the morning! Thanks for the comments everyone. I appreciate it. Dave, the pumps are what came with these stoves. These are the good yellow pumps that are really simple to restore to a good working condition. These definitely work well for the average user like me. sam
Hey, Sam, OUTSTANDING, my Friend!! As you already know, the FireFly is one of my most favorite Coleman fueled stoves. For what it is, there is no arguing with the fact that it has always worked exactly as originally designed. In point of fact, it still does!! Boils water super fast, simmers delicately, and with it's proprietary aluminum windscreen, bucks wind without a single problem!! What's not to like??? Well, there was that "one" thing.... Tastes changed, and for some oddball reason, folks begin deciding that, instead of taking reassurance in the roaring of such a stove as the very remarkable FireFly, or even the soothing puttering of a SVEA 123, they wanted "quiet" stoves that "whispered", instead of roared! And, so, those that wanted to make money, and didn't worry about selling a stove that couldn't hold the dirty underwear of a fantastic FireFly, developed the "Whisperlite" stove and used it to replace the outstanding FireFly!!! GGGGGGG!!!! For me, there is NO comparison, and I'd take a good FireFly over a Whisperlite, any day in the world, no problems. The FF outperforms the WL in every single category you might like to name, and in some of them by a very wide margin!!! But, the WL remains in the MSR stable, and still sells well, whilst the better stove, the FireFly is left to those of us who actually like to cook with our stoves, instead of just boiling water, and at the same time, like to have one that bucks wind, and melts snow for water, with ease. I'm happily enamored with the FireFly and have been since the very first one I got!! Thanks for the great photos, and your wonderful race narrative, Sam!! Much appreciated and very well done!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Ive never seen a firefly in the flesh but isnt the dragonfly its direct descendant and the whisperlite a distant cousin?
They're all fairly dissimilar. There's an outward similarity between the F'Fly and the D'Fly in that both have dual controls which allow simmering, but the similarity stops there. The burner stems, the pot supports, the way generation occurs are pretty different between the Firefly and the Dragonfly. The relationship between the Whisperlite and the Firefly is not one of physical similarity but rather one of succession; the Whisperlite replaced the rather loud Firefly. The Whisperlite is indeed quieter, but does not have the simmering capability of the Firefly. Many wish that MSR had discontinued the Whisperlite and kept the Firefly rather than the other way around. HJ
Is it still possible to get new FireFly stoves in the US? They seem to be fairly simple made, are/were they expensive or inexpensive stoves? Don't they need any windshield?
Good Morning, Anders, Great to hear from you! Unfortunately, back when the Whisperlite was introduced by MSR, in 1988, the FireFly didn't have long to live!! It was discontinued fairly shortly after that. So, getting a new FireFly would be a stroke of luck, but very possible. I have three of them, now, one that I bought new, for around $60, if memory serves, and the other two used, but in very "new" condition, for less than the original list price. Keep your eyes on the 'Bay, and other places, as they are popping up with some regularity, and if you are lucky, you can win one!! WELL worth having, Mate!! Here are a few photos of my original FireFly, updated by MSR with the newer fuel line, and wearing a neat silent cap which came from a Perfektus 100 stove! (Thanks, Ian!) The windscreen is proprietary, and was made to use the FireFly stove. It works BEST when used with pots with sloping sides, like those from an Optimus Trapper 81, or similar stove. Packs better that way, too. Great stove, in all regards! Best of luck in finding one for yourself, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Whisperlite came out prior to 1988. I bought mine in 1986 as I recall, and they had already switched from the yellow pump to the gray pump by that time. My memory says that the Whisperlite came out in 1984. See also the Nov 1984 issue of Backpacker Magazine. Anders, the Firefly was discontinued in the mid 80's, so it's been out of production for about a quarter of a century. Used ones can be had, but a new, unfired one, would be quite a score! HJ
Hey, HJ, You are absolutely right, Sir! I misread the MSR letter that I have here in front of me! 8-[ The MSR product release sheet, from which I took that info, was for the Whisperlite Internationale, and not the regular Whisperlite, which, as you so correctly say, had been around for a few years, already. This 1988 info and catalog, also still shows the FireFly, which MSR advertised as being for the "Outdoor Gourmet"!! 8) But, unless I'm wrong, again, which I certainly could be (but in this case, don't think so), the FF was discontinued shortly after the 1988 info came my way. Sorry for the mistake on my part. Old and can't read, I guess! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. My comment about being able to get a "like new" FireFly, is valid. I've bought two of them that have seen VERY little use, and are very close to being new in condition. So, it is most certainly still possible to get a good FF, if one is patient, and is willing to spend the time looking for one.
Doc, So the W'lite Internationale (A Red Letter Day in Doc's household) came out in 1988? Good to know. I believe that you are correct that the FF was discontinued ca. 1988. I remember shopping for a stove in 1986. I bought a Whisperlite. I was fresh out of the Army and working my first job and not wanting to spend a lot of money, so I probably didn't even take a look at the Fireflies. Considering how little I knew, I did all right; my Whisperlite has done me well. HJ
Thank You! The reason why I asked, was that the stove looks very modern still. It could have been a model that they would have continued to make... Seems light also. Don't actually need another stove, but I will keep my eyes open You know how it goes...
Can I send some blinders your way? I noticed another Firefly was sold with another MSR stove for around $40. We all missed that one I think, except the one who bought it. Sorry, on my previous post called Sam, Steve. Steve came to mind.
I saw that firefly and thought someone had seen it. Dang! I should have said something. Don't worry about the Steve/Sam thing. For some weird reason I get that a lot. sam
