Hi Alex, the ""page" dates from 1993, so these must be thouroughly field-tested by now! Does anyone on the forum know more about them like make, model & such? The drawing is not very good, but I for one certainly do not recognise it. If the US marines are happy with it, this might be the perfect biking stove... Regards, Wim
I pick up my m1950 used from ebay for under $50(US) including shipping. I think that's fair $$. I did thoroughly cleaned the tank. Carefully unwrapped and cleaned the vaporizer screen. Runs good, but I still like my 123 better. The m1950 and similar styles are either ON/OFF, period, end of story. The earlier models had a separate cleaning needle that if the same as my 523 squad stove can give better simmer. A Rolfe
Google "capillary stove" or "MSR capillary stove" It makes me wonder what the original designer of the SVEA 123 would have created if they had something other than cotton for a wick.
Just wanted to add a comment about the M1950 stove, actually, the fact that I have one but have not tried it out. It was NOS in it's original packaging and I haven't the heart to ruin it's newness. Looks to be a really solid stove, however, and seeing as the prices are reasonable given the quality, I would say it is still a decent candidate, weighing the disadvantages. I am intrigued by that MISS stove report, and I note that the article was uploaded by Rik-UK3 who is a member here. Have not seen one of these stoves yet, but I will have to watch out for them. Wonder if they met with any success in the US military, or the distribution got canceled for some reason? That MSR Vapore Jet stove seems to be an interesting device, but apparently STILL not released to the civilian market by MSR, and no clue whether military testing got beyond the prototype stage. Regards Doug E.
That stove is quasi mythical. We've been looking for one for a long time. The military name is the MIWH for modular individual water heater. I saw one on e-bay a few weeks ago... it went for almost $200 and it was clearly labeled 'prototype.' It looks neato. I would wonder if the long term durability is up to snuff. MSR was supposed to release a consumer variant but we have yet to see it. It seems that the jetboil/reactor/eta type systems are steering the market toward butane.
Yeah, that's what I was referring to. I thought MSR was supposed to launch the consumer version of the capillary vaporizer stove quite some time ago, but it looks like it never made it past some army field tests. As I can't find any government articles saying anything about distribution ,etc, I guess it was not a feasible solution, or too expensive blah, blah. Regards Doug
Hi all, so, it might well be the American soldier still soldiers on with ye olde M1950? At least they're better of then I was when doing my national service in the '70s; we only had the small Esbitt foldable solid fuel warmers (I don't call these heaters and YES! I like this "smilie" too ). Any ex-US soldiers on this forum that can shed a light on this? Regards, Wim
Wim, The US Army hasn't used the M1950 stove for a number of years. Currently, they use the MSR Dragonfly or Optimus Nova as a replacement for the M1950 squad stove. It's interesting to me that they chose the Dragonfly over the XGK, but the Dragonfly does simmer and takes bigger pots. The XGK has a better reputation in terms of reliability with kero type fuels. See also: http://www.natick.army.mil/soldier/media/fact/food/Squad_Stove.pdf However, for cold weather operations in Alaska, the US Army, of all things, has MSR Whisperlite Internationales in their inventory (sorry, Doc). They also have in inventory MSR XGK-EX's. See also: http://www.usarak.army.mil/publications/PDF_Pubs/USARAK_Pamphlets/Pamphlet 385-4.pdf]http://www.usarak.army.mil/publications/PDF_Pubs/USARAK_Pamphlets/Pamphlet 385-4.pdf[/url] HJ
Hi Jim With all that said. Lets say the fuel availability for these squad stoves was not a problem, would the M1950 be a contender still ?. Or has the US military gone in the right direction with the MSR choice. Thinking back to when i was running around the woods in green shouting bang bang, the guys i was serving with would break almost anything. But funnily enough, their weapon and sleeping bag were always undamaged !!!
Two things will get you pushing poppys fast, a weapon which fails to function, cold nights with nothing to keep you warm. The second is not near as critical as the first but it's mighty handy to have a warm bed. lance
Hey, HJ, You got a laugh out of me with that one, Mate!! If they Army likes that MSR Internationale, then they are welcome to it! I wouldn't trust my life to it, if burning ANYTHING else other than Coleman fuel, period! But, hey, my own high altitude/cold weather experiences with that stove, burning kerosene, proved to me that it's not to be trusted, and is NOT a true multifuel stove, something that MSR also admitted to me after we had massive problems with our Internationale. But, if others like that stove, and wish to use it with kerosene, God Bless them, and God Keep them. Sweet Bride and I KNOW what it can and cannot do, and that is what we will trust..... NOT the vagaries of US Army-chosen equipment lists! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I thought these were the stoves the military is now using. Well the US Marines anyway ? A compact, rugged, dependable, light weight multi fuel stove, will even do kero with the kero gen. Tom
Hey, Tom, Your Coleman Multifuel is a MUCH better choice for burning kerosene and cooking, than the Internationale, in our experience. In fact, after our own Internationale went South on us, and almost caused a hypothermic situation for us, on our 850 mile PCT adventure, we replaced it with the exact stove you showed in your post, the Coleman 550B Multifuel stove!! Worked perfectly, without a single problem, for the rest of our backpacking trip. So, the MSR Whisperlite Internationale didn't even last 200 miles of hard use, whilst that wonderful little Coleman Multifuel did over 600 miles of trusted service! Now, which stove do you think we would trust our lives to, today??!! If you guessed the Coleman, go to the head of your class!! If you guessed the MSR, I would quote loosely from an Indiana Jones movie, "You have chosen..... poorly"!! Great stove, the Coleman Mulfifuel!! Thanks for sharing yours with us, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Well, that's an opinion question. I've got an opinion, but ... In all seriousness, it would be interesting to take all three stoves (Dragonfly, Nova, M1950), and run them through some trials. I'd love to see some old crusty NCO's or warrant officers write ups on: reliability field maintainability ease of use portability cooking ability speed (time to boil) stability HJ
It does interest me that the military is willing to go with remote fuel tank stoves that require priming. Your multi-fuel Coleman doesn't require priming (unless it's really cold) IIRC, and there's no set up. It's a "just pump and light" stove. On the other hand, the stoves with remote tanks are generally lighter and don't require refueling as often. HJ
Hi all, Doc glad you all had your 550B, hate to have lost ya' It's fine stove . I have my converted to kero. First coleman i have ever run on kero. Don't own a Solus, so this 550B is my solo kero burning coleman. Jim , I tried my exponent multi fuel this am , 18F, I left it out over night. The fuel control knob got frozen stuck, I guess, as I was unable to turn it on. I used some pliers to turn the knob and finally got it to turn. I pumped it up, opend valve and it did flare up some , but finally settled down. Yes a slight pre-heat is recommended when it's brutal cold , but I think just floodng the stove with a just of tad, mind you just a tad of fuel and it would work wonders. I still think the M1950 ,is the best all round for cold , wind, ect.of the gas or kero fuel variety. White gas will vaporize at 18F , so pre-heat is not a problem and and they run strong. Kinda' on the heavy side but worth the xtra weight, given it's dependability , stabilty, and ease of use Running at 18F outside, slight wind oops, boiling over -no simmer on this one although Here's the M1950 flame , inside so you can see it And don't forget the venerable 533 Another very simple , powerful duel fuel stove. and of course the classic 502 ! Tom
HJ, you should have another look at the M1950's they are built like a tank Havent fired up mine yet. Did not have the time or just saving the best for last. Ron
I have to say, the M1950 has got my respect. i purchased on on E bay.. A Rogers 1966 model. I married it up with a seperate perchase of the cook pots. When i got the stove, i was so impressed with the build quality. Plus the way you can store spare parts within the stove, also maintain the stove easily in the field. I liked it so much i have it in the car along with several kinds of noodles in case of emergencies. AND i have orderd a second BNIB M1950.
Hmmmm hard one. Well you can get a Durasol Trangia still.s/s aluminium. Or if you are lucky a sigg version. Which is bigger. For dumb no shit never fail cooking can't be beat and never let you down as you may know. You can put a 11T burner in it for a KAp Stove and burn what you have. But you then got orings and stuff to maintain. Good optioin thou. Forget the 199 if you intend to use anything but kero in it. I wouldn't trust it long term on petron mainly cos that tank is gunna get real hot!!! Kero is my prefered fuel. M50 does a good enough job but mines a bit wiffy on kero. Nova..eeerrh yeah not real impressed on the kero burning and sticky valv issues. Remember any remote fuel stove will leave fuel on and in everything...ie gather all the dust. 99 are good. Radius 43 maybe. 111t's I like heaps. Dunno.. What sort of cooking and set up you wanna use??? One pot for 1tre and a frypan for a big fry up or a small one and just keep eating the cooked bits off it??? I got most they are advocating. May do a pic for you. DO you want to burn kero turps and other shit or just shellite and petrol??? Barra
