Which one is smallest, the 199 or the 99? Main differences? Which one is older? Thanks and happy new year.
Hi, Xavi_242, The Optimus 99 Ranger is the predecessor to the Optimus 199 Ranger. The 99 is shorter in height, and weighs less then the 199. The 99 is setup for burning only one fuel, which is Coleman fuel, aka Benzin, Naptha, and a few other names. The 199, on the other hand, is a true Multifuel stove, burning, Coleman fuel (and all other Naptha-based fuels), kerosene, and with a change of jet and addition of a proper restrictor, Methylated Spirits. Some don't like the small tank on the 199, as the more powerful burner used on that stove does go through fuel more quickly than the older, single-fueled 99. Personally, I've never had a problem using the 199 in the field, with all three fuels. After many years of using it, however, I've come to prefer burning kerosene in one of my 199's, whilst the other one is setup for Meths. The little 99 is also a fine stove, though, and I like it, too! Hope that helps you some. If you have more questions, please ask. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thannk you very much for that very helpful answer. I like little stoves, I collected and fettled 5 or 6 Enders Baby and still love to heat my coffee when I go camping... I I'm now looking for a little Optimus and wasn't sure which to choose... BTW those little bastards are pretty pricey! Xavi
Hi, Xavi_242, You are very welcome, Sir! Glad to be able to help. Yes, sometimes the Optimus stoves DO go for some high prices. But, if you spend time hunting for them, they do still come to hand for a much less expensive price. Most of the ones I see and buy, at swap meets, and such, go for between $25-$35. On the 'bay, they usually go higher. Of course, shipping to you would be fairly expensive, I'm guessing. That will raise the price, too, unfortunately. Best suggestion is to keep your eyes peeled for a really good deal on the 'bay, and than jump on it, fast and hard. Patience will be the hey, and persistence. If you wait long enough, and look hard enough, one will come your way, I'm absolutely sure. Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. If you want to trade off one of your Ender's Babies, you might find an Optimus 99 owner that would be willing to trade with you. Something to consider, anyway....
I got a 99 here all fettled and ready to go, with a clip mounted inside for a mini pump! Unfortunatly, shipping charges would be the death of us BOTH!!! Murph
Where I live it's impossible to find them so my only chance is to look at ebay, where I always see them go for around 100 bucks... It is weird to see a lot more Optimus for sale in the US than in Europe... I rarely see them for sale on ebay Germany or France... Shame that I traded all my Babies except one I have for parts and the one I usually use when I go camping...
hey Xavi i had a 99 for a while, and it's a real nice stove. it can be a little bit of a pain to preheat sometimes (fuel can be tricky to keep in the preheating cup and not have it spill in the base), but other than that, i used it as my daily cooking stove for a long time. it's nice and stable. the cooking pan is a decent one person size. loved it, and it's probably the only stove i have any degree of regret getting rid of. wouldn't mind having another (read that as: would pay flea market.yard sale pricing for one, not ebay pricing) i'd love to have a 199, but it's simply not in my budget anymore. i remember when i would see 199's break the $100 mark and i thought people were crazy paying that. guess i should have stocked up at that price! anyway, if you find a 99 or 199 on ebay and the seller is unwilling to ship to you, let me know. i can bid on it for you or it can be shipped to me and i'll send it to you. jon
Hi Jon, nice to hear from you again Yes the 100 dollar mark is pretty crazy... I hope to get it one cheaper than this... I'll keep in mind your offer about shipping it to me if the seller doesn't want to ship overseas. Xavi
Hello Doc Mark! As a matter of fact I was lucky enough to purchase a 111B last night for $25. It appears intact except for the little clip that holds the knob shaft to the burner. A couple of issues - I thought you might give some advice on... First, the pump (although it gives significant back pressure when pumped) does not seem to pressurize the tank; and the control knob seems to work in reverse - ie stove on when all the way to the right, off when all the way to the left. It does start easy enough though. The guy I bought it from thought it was about 25 years old (the top of the burner assembly is marked "Optimus - Sweden). Is that about right?
Hi Fuelish, GREAT buy on that 111B, Sir!! Well done!! As to your questions, I'm thinking that: 1 - the cleaning needle is installed improperly, making the stove spindle work backwards. Easy fix. Remove the jet, then crank the spindle until the cleaning needle raises up all the way. Remove it with a pair of tweezers. Then, crank the spindle all the way to the right. Reinstall the cleaning needle, making sure that the teeth are aligned with those on the spindle. Whilst keeping gentle but firm pressure downward on the cleaning needle, slowly turn the spindle to the left (counter-clockwise), and listen for each "click". I usually go about 4-5 clicks, and then call it good. Once set properly, you can then turn the spindle to the right (clockwise) to lower the needle properly into it's place, and then replace the jet. Most of the time, there is no clip holding the spindle to the burner. Some brassies have them, but I don't recall any of my 111 family of stoves having one. You can add one, if you want, but I think it would be more inconvenient, and not worth your trouble. Your pump leather needs to be lubed with some sort of oil. I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but mineral oil is good, gun oil and motor oil works well, and pure Neatsfoot oil is also good (make sure it's not the Neatsfoot oil compound, which is not good). Next, and before using your stove any more, I'd strongly recommend that you remove and replace the NRV (non-return valve) in your pump depths. With petrol stoves, like the 111B, that tiny pip of rubber is the only thing that keeps your stove from burning down your house, and seriously hurting, or even KILLING YOU!! Kerosene stoves, like the older 111 stove, are safer in this regard, than the 111B (the "B" stands for "Benzin", if memory serves). Do some searching on the site for info on how to remove and replace the NRV. If you can't find it, then give us all a shout here, and we can lead you through it. You will need a special T-wrench as a tool, and a proper replacement NRV pip. The one you need, will depend on which NRV assembly you have now. You won't know that until you get the whole thing removed for inspection. Another "MUST DO" is to change the fuel cap gasket for a brand new one, made of Nitrile rubber, Vitrol, or something similar. Again, a petrol stove, which is Coleman fuel, Naptha, Benzine, or other such fuels, are FAR more dangerous when it comes to leaks and loose vapors, which can ignite with catastrophic results!!!! Change that cap, along with your NRV pip, for safeties sake!!!! I think that answers your questions, but if not, then please give us another shout! I'll be happy to give it another go, and I'm sure that the many other 111B owners can offer good info, too. Again, you scored a great buy on that 111B of yours, and it's in outstanding condition!! Well done!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Nice 111B man! You've hijacked my thread, though I didn't knew that about the cleaning needle setting, I have problems with my Svea 123 that I dissassembled and now doesn't close properly after it's fired.
To continue the Hijack for a moment, the best tool for the needle adjust is simply a pencil eraser... Just stab it on, as a handle! Works very well. Ok, Hijack over!!! Back to the regularly scheduled program!
Hi Xavi, Please read these instructions: https://classiccampstoves.com/fusion/gallery/91/1219782425-Optimus_burners.gif They advise sticking the cleaning needle into a match to help hold it in position. Baja offers the suggestion of using an pencil eraser to do the same job. Best Regards, Kerophile.
