Hi, For a short time I had a collection of 8R's, brass ones, nickel plated brass ones, Russian clones etc......I sold the lot as I thought they were a complete waste of space in the real world of backpacking in a cold and windy climate. I prefer the SVEA 123 and a 123R works a great deal better once one has thrown out the completely superfluous "self cleaning" pricker. (The 8R works better if you chuck away the the self cleaning pricker as do other stoves that have them.) The 8R's look nice but they just don't perform. They might be nice in a warm and windless climate but not up here in the North of Scotland. That reminds me I must sell my Mini/midi pumps as they are waste of space too! Cheers, Rob
Good Morning, Snowgoose, Hummmm, the wilds of Scotland must be fearsome, indeed!! 8) Rob, I've used 123's, 8R's, 99's, and other such stoves, in many locations, altitudes, and weathers, and have found that all of them work OK, especially with the mini/midi pumps. As with all stoves, application of a proper windscreen, as you always use, seems to work for me in such situations. If I had to choose between the lot of those mentioned, I'd definitely take a 123 (non-R), as I believe they burn hotter, and simmer very well, indeed. But, if I had a proper 8R, or 99, and had fettled it into right condition, and used the pump and windscreen setup, I'd feel well equipped for come what may. But, that's just me, and you have obviously decided that these stoves just do not work for you, which is right and proper. In any case, as in all other things, I always say "whatever blows up your skirt" is what you should enjoy! 8) Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Allmost on topic, I got a litre of water to a rolling boil on a 99 using a 2.1 litre Primus ETA pot in 4 m 30s, very good pots and the 1 litre fits the 123 like a dream (those ETA pots are well worth the money).
With a big pot so much heat reflects back on the font that having it at full throttle is the one thing that saves its bacon.The chuffing noise all these stoves make though turns to a scream. The quieten down a few minutes after you take the pot off.
