I've just obtained a Nova T80 from a well known auction site and I am delighted with it so far (not actually fired it up yet). It dates I would say from 2002-2005 and comes with the magnetic tool (which I forgot to photograph). One of the last Optimus stoves to be made in Sweden I believe. The packaging and stove are in such good condition that I suspect I bought it from a fellow member on this site, if you are looking in then thank you for making available such a good example. The observant will see a hex nut on the base, which has been said to be a problem but it looks fine at the moment. As this has the magnetic needle, rather than the shaker then I assume this is the second production version of the T80. Once I have fired it up I will post some shots. Apologies for the poor quality of some of the photos here, I was trying not to use a flash. I have shown a lot of the packaging because I love the amount of text they put on it.
Hi @Retro Camper , Congratulations to a great catch, the stove looks hardly used. If the priming wick has no burn marks, then (unless someone replaced it) possibly all use it has seen is the test burning on propane that was done on every burner in the production. The hex nut was replaced with the larger round brass nut during 2004. The magnetic needle was introduced late 2000, so that is the time span of your stove. For info all Novas (and Nova+) with Cejn connectors were made in Sweden, also those with the never green and black styling. Swedish production was phased out around 2008. Hope it fires up nicely! Edit: The packaging has the Backbackers Editors Choice award logo. This award was announced spring 2001, so the stove is made earliest later in that year.
Thanks Staffan, your inside knowledge of Optimus is really appreciated. I have had a look at the valve spindle and it looks like kerosene has been used, but the appearance of the rest of the stove suggests not for some time. The jet is tightly screwed in and I think I probably need to heat the stove up to loosen it. When I move the magnet under the burner should I see the needle pop up? At the moment I don't see anything happen.
Thanks @Retro Camper . You should see the needle rise through the jet orifice when operating it. Maybe it's stuck in some fuel residue.
@Staffan Rönn that is interesting, I did not know that there was a nova that did not have the magnetic cleaning needle.
My Nova (bought 2000) has a needle that is driven by gravity, just turn the burner upside down. It has works flawless all the years. I have heard about the magnetic needle, but I have never understood how it works. Is the 8th picture a key for the earliest date of that particular packaging?
First Novas, delivered between May 2000 and some time late that year did not have the "magic"magnetic cleaning needle. These were only sold in Europe if I remember correctly, mainly in Scandinavia. As @afoton describes it had a free floating gravity operated needle. I have one of the earliest stoves somewhere in my secret stash. Should dig it out and post it one day. Well spotted also on the packaging, this could very well be a date when graphics was approved or similar.
@afoton Multitool has strong magnet and needle has piece of magnet also. When multitool is moved under the stove magnetic field moves needle up and down. Stove body is stainless and burner is made of brass do they don't interfere the operations since they are paramagnetic materials.
Do @Retro Camper have a picture of the multitool? That must obvious look diferent than the one I have. Looks like I have to take some pictures of my Nova and post them in the gallery some day.
Hi @afoton. Photos below. The tool is slightly different to the one that is shown on the instructions with my stove. There isn't a bottle opener or slot for adjusting the stove legs (as instructions) but on my tool there is another slot. After application of some heat and PlusGas I have got the cleaning needle to work but still can't loosen the nut. The PlusGas might work on it overnight. The needle is still a bit sticky so I do need to get in there and give it all a clean. Hoping to fire it up this weekend and a bit of use may well sort it out.
The "magic" cleaning needle and tool was in our view a very appropriate short word form for MAGnetIC. Doing demos back in the days was quite fun as not many people would intuitively understand how the magic worked.
My apologies for resurrecting this thread, and if I should open a new thread, please do let me know. I'm interested in the magnetic needle and the multitool that was introduced with it, and when that was introduced in the Nova lineup. A bit of background: I recently bought an early Nova which looks to be very similar to the one posted (other than the soot and carbon build up on mine, so not exactly showroom condition. No manual or other information available either unfortunately). The main difference seems to be the handle on top of the pump: mine is black. The setup all seems original enough to me, no obviously replaced parts. Now, the needle in my Nova does seem to be of the magnetic type. It actually responds to a magnet with some fiddling about. It also works with gravity, in the sense that if you shake hard enough, it'll work too, but from what I've gathered, it seems that the shaker model wasn't magnetic at all, right? What doesn't seem to fit the story is the multitool that came along with my Nova. It seems original enough, but it looks to be a more 'basic' model than the one posted above. It does fit all the Nova nuts and so on. The issue is that it does not have a magnet attached, and I can't imagine this particular tool originally came with one either. So, did Optimus release a magnetic needle-model Nova without the tool for it? Or could the original, shaker-style needle have been replaced with a 'magnetic type' needle at some point? The stove works beautifully and I'm delighted to have an early model Nova to use during camping, but I'd like a complete story to go with it
Hi, My guess is that your Nova @Dan2022 is from the very first batch from spring 2000 prior to the introduction of the magic needle. The black pump knob and the smaller multitool are clear indicators. If your needle is magnetic, then most likely the original needle has been replaced at some time. /Staffan
Thanks so much @Staffan Rönn. So the needle was the only component which was switched out (visibly making a difference I mean), and the tool is actually original for the shaker-style needle then? Excellent. To be able to introduce the magic needle with only minor changes to the setup is interesting in it's own right. One difference I noticed later was that the legs are attached with Philips-style bolts instead of inbus. I haven't found a lot of pictures online showing those either, and to me it would indicate an earlier model as well. I'm very pleased to have learned some interesting facts, so thanks again.
I recently purchased a Nova like the one pictured above, but with the black pump knob, and an un-embossed magnetic cleaning tool. There also is the orange tested sticker over the nut. Priming pad is un-scorched as well. I will post pictures this weekend under a new thread. Mike.
