Optimus Hiker

@snwcmpr

Lime Green.

I hear Zombies can't see that shade of green so they would be unable to fill the tank and use the stove.

Mike.

 

Damned shame to paint such purty brass.

 

@monkeyboy

I have two of the Hiker+ stoves. Older one has a steel tank and the more recent one is apparently brass (being non-magnetic). I have never fired up the second one (hint).

Never had a problem with the one I have used but they had a reputation for needing a good cleaning before using to keep the tiny filter they have from clogging; so I did that.

It is interesting (to me) that Optimus recommends white gas over kerosene. I would prefer to use kero but it does smell a bit if used in doors. That is not the case with a proper kero burning 111.

If one is going to burn white gas, I think the 111B is the way to go. Likewise for kero and a 111. But my main reason is a little different in that I like to fill the empty space in the case with a small bottle or two of alcohol, a lighter, etc. There is much more usable empty space in the 111 and 111B for that kind of stuff.

 

This new hiker does not need a jet change, right?
Maybe it is not the best jet for kerosene. Jet alteration?

 

@snwcmpr

You are correct, both fuels use the same jet just like the Nova. Probably a little big for Kero and slightly too small for naptha.

Mike

 

Well, Dang It!!!

I blame @snwcmpr , 100%!! I wasn’t going to buy one, until HE shared the sale at Backcountry!! All your fault, Ken!!!! Thanks, by the way!! Doc

P.S. BC told me that all the fuel tanks are brass, again, which is what made me pull the trigger on this 111 Hiker+!!

 

@Doc Mark, I thought you had one already?
Duane

 

He has, but has forgotten where he put it.

 

Thanks, but not me.
@Garth maybe?

 

I'm with Doc Mark. Just had to buy one from backcountry.
Tom

 

Morning, Ken, and all,

By Gumbo, you are right, @snwcmpr !
After re-reading the whole thread, I see it WAS @Garth , and @HunterStovie , who talked about Optimus going back to brass fuel tanks on the Hiker+! I have never been a fan of the steel tanks, and in fact, my 111C is my least favorite of my family of 111 burners!

@hikerduane , nah, the early problems experienced by the Hiker+ models, soured me on buying one, even though I like the Nova burner quite a lot. I am looking forward to getting my brass-tanked model! We’ll see how it turns out. Take care & God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

P.S. Big thanks to @Garth and @HunterStovie , for fueling this fire!!! Oh, and Ken, I still blame you, too!! (If you can’t blame your best friends for stuff.... then that’s no fun, at all!!!)

 

As a friend, I take that blame.


But, I am skeptical, non magnetic does not necessarily mean brass.

 

Hello to All,

I'm just glad that I was able to provide some helpful information.

If it weren't for Katadyn replacing a faulty Hiker+ with horrible tank threads on the pump we would not be having this conversation.

The offending stove was an ebay purchase and was the older version with the chrome stove body, but with the green tank and fuel line, probably a transitional model like my 2-tone Nova's

I purchased the 2nd one from campsaver.com on sale at 20% off and free shipping. It was about $162.00.

I expect to see flame shots when everyone's stoves arrive.

I also can't believe I had a stove that @Doc Mark did not.

Mike

 

Re: Current models of this stove having a brass fuel tank, BC said they talked to Optimus, and it was Optimus who told them about the tanks being brass, once again. IF my stove does NOT have a brass tank, I will most certainly return it!!

@HunterStovie , Mike, there are plenty of stoves I don’t have. But, many of those seem to be made of “unobtainium”!!! Sigh....

Doc

 

I find it odd that they would paint a beautiful brass tank but maybe that's what people expect these days, and of course, paint won't tarnish.

 

Colin, as you know, Tilley lamp tanks were brass but painted.

 

I know and I find that odd too... but times change and tastes do too. I repainted my Bialaddin 320 to make it close to as original as possible (it was wrecked when I got it!) and I'm glad I did, but looking at an original 111 and a Hiker with a green tank I know which one I prefer. I find the green tank and black case jarring!

 

I was under the impression that the hiker+ tanks have been brass for a while now. No reason not to make them out of brass really.

 

For seven years I thought I could not afford an old 111, but less than a year ago I picked one off the bay for $105. Still feeling lucky, as I much prefer the look of the old one compared to the new. And it burns like a champ. But I would buy the new one if I wanted that style of stove.

 

I just checked here in the USA and Optics Planet and Campsaver both have the Hiker + for $173 free shipping. Be careful, Amazon has it even cheaper but if you read the fine print it says model year 2012. Steel tank?