For someone who backpacked 35+ years I have many small stoves. The 99 is my favorite of all time. Just a sentimental friend.
+1 on the 99. I will say it again, optimus got it right with the 99. Compact, powerful, cooking pan and squatty design. Found the later ones with 8r style heatshields have more stable pot supports. Peace sunny SoCal
The 99 that you (currently) can see in my avatar, I still use every holiday to brew me some coffee in the morning. I paired it with a BernieCap mini many moons ago. I believe this cap is part of his 1st run. Bought the stove over 10 years ago, gave it a new wick, got a midi pump with cap and have used it ever since. It has never failed me. And because it is aluminium it won't rust like an 8(r) and because it is build in a case, I can carry al the bits and bobs I need to run in it inside the case. Which I can not with my 123(r) So, whenever I go on vacation, this is my stove of choice to bring along for brewing my coffee Yours looks good as well, I hope it serves you for many more years to come
I have also just picked up a 99, and while it looks to be in fair condition, the burner bell is quite loose. It wiggles about 5mm back and forth above the control valve. I would like to know if anyone can recommend a way to snug it up, or if I should run it like it is.
1. Can you just screw it tighter? 2. Are the threads on burner bell or valve messed up? 3. Do you have the correct burner bell for a 99? Is there a size mismatch between burner bell and valve? 4. Also, need to ask, do you have an Optimus 99, or one of the several clones? ....Arch
I tried to tighten it, but it just spins freely. It doesn’t seem like there are any threads here at all. The burner bell seems to be correct, just loose. And yes, it is an Optimus.
I'm thinking the burner bell doesn't go with the stove. Do you have an 8R or 123R you can borrow the bell from to see if that's the problem? The part is available from Base Camp (and maybe other suppliers), but is expensive for what it is. ....Arch
