Optimus Gemini II - Covering Lots of Bases?

Discussion in 'Other Models' started by Doc Mark, Aug 13, 2021.

  1. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Greetings, All,

    I found that Backcountry Gear was offering those stoves, even though they did not have any in stock at the time. I called, and was told that they expectee delivery fairly soon. So, I went ahead and took the plunge! Interestingly, the stove arrived, safe and sound, pretty darned close to the date they said it would be shipped!!

    Though I have not had time to fire it up, as of late, due to work demands, Masonic needs, and dealing with homeowner, and computer stuff, it looks and feels great! I'll make sure to be able to test this stove, very soon, as some of our work demands slack off a bit. But, for now, I want to share my initial thoughts, and share a few photos. As soon as we do some cooking on it, I'll post those photos here, too. By the way, I paid $149.95 for this stove, from the above-mentioned Outfitter, and so far, both Sweet Bride and I think that was a fair price, for what it appears this little powerhouse can offer those who wish to use a "gassie" when cooking in a car camp, or even for backpacking. Your mileage may vary, of course..... Take a peek, and stay tuned for more, please. Take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc

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    Swedish stove, made in Romania and China. The quality looks first rate, but of course, after a bit of testing, I'll know for sure.

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    Optimus printed "Clever Cooking Since 1899" on their instruction booklet, and truthfully, this little stove is darned clever, indeed! I love the fact that you can have one burner boiling up water, very quickly, and the other burner is simmering a delicate pasta sauce! Very clever, for sure!

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    Here's a bit of info which you might find interesting. Optimus list the weight of this little gem as 790g. But....

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    .... but, when I weighed it (several times), the weight is actually 820g! I'm guessing that Optimus do not take into account the weight of the carrying bag, and thus the discrepancy. Interesting, no? We'll most definitely be taking our carrying bag along on our adventures, to keep the dust and dirt out of this little gem.

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  2. Yun124

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    Nice Mr. Doc, congrats you finally got it!
    I purchased from the same shop backcountrygear, waited approx 10days to he shipped! And happy to hear you think it is worth to pay! In fact I don't know why so lacked of stocks. Big demands? Hmm.
    Enjoy and will see yr further posts about its working! Yun
     
  3. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    Hey Doc, that’s true of any dual burner stove too! (Or two singles).

    John
     
  4. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Howdy, Yun (@Yun124 ), and John (@presscall ),

    Thank you both for your comments. Much appreciated!

    Yun, yes, I have wanted one of these ever since Staffan (@Staffan Rönn ) posted photos of his own GeminiII, here on CCS. Since we've not gone anywhere, except for our camping trip to the desert in May, and since Sweet Bride had interest in this new two-burner gassie, I decided it was OK to spend the money and get one. Also, the asking price is par for the course, these days, if you look at the great offering from MSR, Primus, and a few other companies. After we actually COOK on it, we will know if our money was well spent, or not. I suspect, the Gemini II will work perfectly.

    John, of course, you are absolutely right! Any other two-burner stove, or two single burners, can easily simmer on one burner, and boil water on another burner. But, when the weight of taking two burners, or some other two-burner stoves, is taken into account, the low weight, and simplicity of the Gemini II was attractive to both Sweet Bride, and myself. Don't get me wrong, because we love cooking on most all stoves. But, sometimes we like taking something like an Optimus 22, or 22B, rather than two 111 stoves. And, as I wrote above, this stove is attractive to us, but it might not be to someone else.

    If you look around on YouTube, you will see, as of yesterday, only three video reviews of the Gemini II: Two of which are in Japanese, and only one in English. And, the one video in the English language, is really just a Katadyn promo for their new stove, and not an objective review! :lol:

    In the Katadyn video, there is a VERY thinly veiled poke at the older Coleman two-burner stoves, in which they mention that the Optimus Gemini II "might be your new best friend", as they pan away from what looks like a Coleman 425 stove! Very clever, subliminal slam of the much older, and far heavier, but venerable Coleman product! That little dig can be found only 25 seconds into the video!

    Check it out here:

    Katadyn does have a legitimate point in that their new stove IS far lighter, and also a bit more powerful than many of the Coleman two-burner stoves. It's also smaller, and, should one wish to do so, the Gemini II can be slipped into a backpack, too, whilst doing that with the far heavier Coleman stoves would be somewhat ridiculous, me thinks! In any case, we're glad we got a Gemini II and we both look forward to testing it out soon! Thanks, again, Gentlemen, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  5. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

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    If I were to buy a gaz stove, I think that would be it. But Old Koskoosh has an image to protect before his tribe. You know how it is...just one sign of weakness...
     
  6. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    @Doc Mark Point well made Mark. You’re absolutely right, of course. The compactness and light weight plus dual-burner versatility commend it to that use exactly.

    Too bad Primus fell short on the weight/compactness qualities with THIS one.

    BC0B1F37-D9C4-4B51-B438-EF57F9D6DB63.jpeg

    … nor did any better in that respect with their current Onja.

    FCC4C860-0B5A-465C-889D-9195BA8D397C.jpeg

    John
     
  7. ArchMc

    ArchMc SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Checking the dimensions, it might fit nicely in one of the storage cubbies in the back of my Renegade. So Mark @Doc Mark , I’m looking forward to your review.

    ….Arch
     
  8. SveaSizzler

    SveaSizzler United States Subscriber

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    The icon show a gassie mini butane can and a taller tank marked LPG. Does it connect to a 1lb Coleman bottle or a 20 lb tank?
     
  9. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Yeah, Mark needs another stove..... :)
     
  10. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    @Ed Winskill , @presscall , @ArchMc , @SveaSizzler , @snwcmpr ,

    Good Evening, Guys!

    Ed, yes, I can easily see your conundrum in choosing such a stove! You certainly don't want to give "the Tribe" insight into any chinks in your armor!! Your secret is safe with us..... yeah.... sure!!

    John, I well remember your post on that fold-up Primus. Very cool stove, but as you say, not svelte enough, nor small enough for packing, at least on weight-conscience trips. If you posted a thread on the second stove you mentioned, I'm afraid I missed it. If you did post a thread, could you share the link, please?

    Arch, I'll most certainly let you know how things work out, as far as packing the Gemini along for overnight camps, or even longer. It surely appears to have lots to offer, and I have high hopes that it will deliver the goods when it's tested. When we can finally get over your way, I can bring it along, if you want to see it in person. Our weather up here seems to be cooling, which is good, and if that happens, a trip over your way would definitely be some fun!

    SveaSizzler, as it turns out, yes, the Gemini can be attached to either a canister of gas, ala those from all the major stove manufacturers, or, to a 20 gallon LPG tank, with the proper adaptors! Since I can't figure out how to copy links from the Stove Reference Gallery, where I just posted the instructions for this stove, I'll re-post that info here, just to you don't miss it.

    Here are the scant instructions for the Gemini II:

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    Ken, you are OH, so RIGHT, my Friend! Even though I want to winnow down my inventory of stoves, selling off many of the multiples of quite a few models, I simply could not resist adding this Gemini to the Stove Tribe that lives at our place!! I know.... 50 lashes with a wet noodle, right??!! ;) :lol: :lol:

    I hope you all find the instructions interesting, as did I. The addition of making the Gemini II capable of using a 20 lb LPG tank, whilst most certainly over-kill, definitely adds to it's versatility for car camping. Thanks, to one and all for your comments, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Mark
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2021
  11. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    No, I haven’t acquired a Primus Onja, which are still being sold new, at a price not far short of the Optimus. The Onja looks to be a re-bodied Primus 2222, so no lightweight!

    John
     
  12. Lennart F

    Lennart F Sweden Subscriber

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    Onja is somewhat more stable and slim than 2222 but with the included big and sturdy hardwood cutting board, I'm quite sure it's heavier.
    Onja seem to be perfect for a mobile smaller fishing camp - and is sold in our local fishing store.
    Technically it's nearly identic with 2222.
     
  13. SveaSizzler

    SveaSizzler United States Subscriber

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    Thanks Doc. More stove than I need for going light, and I already have 425s and 413s if I don't want to stagger too far from the tailgate of my '68 Stepside. But the versatility of fuel sources is nice. Owes a lot to the WWII Coleman Surgical stove in its design.
     
  14. paultee

    paultee Canada Subscriber

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    @Doc Mark Quick question about your Gemini: Do you find it releases quite a bit of gas while screwing on the canister? I picked up a new one and where many canister stoves do a quick 1/4 turn of gas rushing out when attaching, the Gemini takes up to a full turn on the thread before its seated. Wondering if it's a trait of the whole line or if I have a lemon that needs to go back.
     
  15. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Evening, @paultee ,

    I don't remember mine doing that. So, I grabbed it, and gave it a try. The only cartridge that I could easily find, was not full. But, that cart only spit a tad of gas when I attached it to the Gemini. I'll try to find a new cartridge, and try that again. Then, I'll get back to you. @Staffan Rönn , Have you noticed the problem that Paultee is seeing with his Gemini? So far, I've not seen it. But, I'll seek out a new cartridge tomorrow, and see if that makes a difference.

    Paultee, what brand cartridge are you using? I've heard that the Coleman carts do spit a lot of gas, when installing, and removing them. I'm using MSR carts, FYI. Talk tomorrow, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  16. paultee

    paultee Canada Subscriber

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    I made a little clip on my phone to give you a sample of the amount of fuel it releases. This is(WAS) a full MSR canister. Same behaviour on half-full Jetboil (though tamer), and brand new Primus.

    I put a little sample of the amount it dumps here: https://youtube.com/shorts/L5i5vO5wXhg

    Ultimately I just think it's on the far end of how much one loses when attaching canisters. Probably within spec, but annoyingly so.

    I did discover that the lindal connector itself had trouble attaching to Kovea style lindal-propane and lindal-butane adapters at first, but then I filed off a couple of paint-covered burrs on the underside of the gemini hose end and it's now a perfect fit. No leaks using those adapters (such an adapter is part of the system for connecting to 20lb tanks in the Gemini documentation).

    Asian adapter makers also have a lindal spacer, which I think I will simply order and use. They're $5 and won't annoy me with this level of spillage. In a quick comparison the only stove that spills this much fuel in my arsenal is the Crux, so I wonder if there's some shared component in the connector.
     
  17. paultee

    paultee Canada Subscriber

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    Here's what I mean about the connection being similar:

    From left to right:

    Vega, Polaris, Gemini, Crux

    The Vega/Polaris style have a hole in the pin (sorry if the terminology is all off here). They don't spew any fuel. The Vega remains my favourite canister stove!

    Gemini and Crux are the offenders and have the hole moved from in the pin to next to it. Perhaps this subtle change is what's afoot. That's all I have from a speculation standpoint. Should probably add that once that canister is seated, the Gemini is one heck of a cool car-camping device.

    tempImagekKVDBp.jpg
     
  18. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hey, @paultee ,

    I dug out two brand new Primus Power Gas cartridges this morning, and tested the Gemini once more. Same result: just a quick spit of gas, as is normal with all such appliances, and no more. For my stove, anyway, I don't even think it lasted a 1/4 turn, then sealed up perfectly. IF I were you, I'd return your Gemini, for another one. Did you buy it in a store, or online? If in a store, you can probably test the replacement stove, right there in the store, just to make sure it's good. Good luck, and please let us know how this turns out for you. Take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc

    PS - Just watched your quick video on how your stove releases too much gas, and you are right, it most certainly does! Mine is nothing even close to that, FYI. Have you tried screwing on the attachment with the cartridge upright? That might help a bit.
     
  19. paultee

    paultee Canada Subscriber

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    @Doc Mark Thanks for digging it up and testing it. I had a feeling it was bad, but that confirms it. Seems there's a bit of trouble going on with recent lindal connectors from Optimus.

    UKC Forums - Optimis Vega stove leaking

    Returning will be a real hassle, but Katadyn rep is local, so that might be my best bet. I've reached out to him (he's a great guy).

    Decided to make one more clip with a full Primus bottle at an angle for the visual evidence so anyone else coming across this can see what a bad connector looks like:



    Thanks again!
     
  20. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Him @paultee ,

    You are most welcome. After reading of you problem, I most certainly wanted to test my own Gemini, and see if my memory of it was off a bit. Glad it was as I remembered.

    I'm glad you have a local Optimus Rep nearby, and that he's a good guy. I'm sure he'll make it right, The Gemini is a very good stove, and SB and I very much enjoy it, though we still have not used it "in the wild". I had hoped to be able to do so before Summer, but too much work on tap, now. So, camping and outdoor cooking will have to wait a bit longer. Again, best of luck in getting your stove situation sussed out. Take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc

    PS - That second video really shows how badly your Gemini is leaking fuel when attaching, or removing the cartridge!! YIKES!!