Hi all,I have no luck in the WANTED forum,so I guess I need to go to plan B. I am searching E-bay for one or the other,I would prefer an 8R(I like square compared to round). ...or should I just buy a new 123? and call the search off. I really want one or the other badly. The fine Lady at A and H told me the burners are the same,just a different stove. Makes me even more confused. Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death,just you guys could give some opinions. Thanks, Shampine
Both are good. Both fill pretty much the same niche-- a classic brass backpacker. I have some of both. That said, I believe the Svea 123 has more in the way of that ineffable, timeless aesthetic appeal. And I would say that this would seem to be the general opinion here based upon the relative volume of writing in this forum regarding these models-- it's at least 10 to 1 to the Svea 123; probably more.
Yep one more thing the 123 it can be use ina sig set or a 88 etc..plus you can find a round canister to put in.
Hmmm, I asked myself the same question, about 35 years ago. I still have the one I bought and it still works, but now I own a couple of each. So, obviously, I bought the wrong one, or maybe not.
i would say that in light of the recent revelation of the svea being back on the market i would get one of those. but don't give up... these are some of the most prolific stoves ever made. because of the way that they're made (to last) there are probably more of them out there than people interested in them. but given the proliferation of gassies in mainstream gear marketing... i wonder how long our beloved 123r has left... in short... get one while you can!
It is pretty much straight forward... Get BOTH! You will like the compactness of 8R, and warm brass of 123 (or 123R). Both are good performers. 8R can boil a liter in 8 min., while 123 could do it in a tad less. The brass windscreen acts like a conductor of heat, and gets the fuel tank up to the temp fast. Both stoves can serve a couple hikers' needs very well, and it is unusual that you need to boil one liter of water at a time. So the actual boiling time is usually 5-6 minutes, and that is plenty fast. Add the simmering ability of both stoves, and you can cook anything--from steaks, sausages, rice, and noodle... As for the 8R, it takes a while to get to the proper operating temp. So I use a length of wood stove seal (a cord made of fiberglass), tie both ends with a piece of wire, and put it under the fuel tank, between the tank and the heat shield. Squirt a dropperful of of alcohol on the "pillow" and the burner cup, and light it. If you can, get a lenth of fiberglass in a coil, and put it in the priming cup, too. It enhances the priming action. I have equipped all my "user" 123s and 8Rs thus. When you turn on the burner after having primed according to this technique, 8R roars at full throttle--and soon the cherry-red glow follows, signalling your position to the rescue helicopter. This technique should only attempted by hard-core stovies, by the way. By hard-core, I mean those who cannot keep themselves from NOT buying another stove. In other words, addicts. Once you get the sense of it, you can adjust the amount of alcohol depending on the ambient temp. When the tank is less than full, the larger air space creates higher pressure, and the burner puts out a strong set of flames, as if you have pumped the tank up tightly with midi or mini pump. Mini or midi pump is a bonus, but you hardly ever need it.
Hey, Shampine, I agree with B2M, get both of them, and you won't be sorry you did!! If you can only buy one, then get the SVEA, for several reasons. First of all, it's lighter in weight, by a little bit. But, it's also more powerful. The SVEA is rated at 4,700 BTU's, whilst the 8R is rated at 3,300 BTU's. In practice, the difference isn't great, but I think the SVEA will boil water faster, in a head to head contest. But, both stoves are well worth owning, and I have many versions of each, all of which I love!! Go for it!!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hears one with wick it is a kerosene one i do it on all my kero. and only the ones that need two prime then they get a wick. On the plus side on a 123 wick hold more prime and don't run down the side
You guys are GREAT ! Thanks so much. I am bidding on one of each right now,your advice is golden w/ me. Take Care, Shampine
Evening, Shampine, If your very anxious to get your SVEA, and can't wait for cheaper one to come along, then I'd go ahead and get one of the new SVEA 123R stoves, and call it good. It might be nice to have a new one, anyway, and I'm still kicking around ordering one, too, just because "it's back"!! Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Doc,I will take your advise...a new 123 sounds great. I just won a 8R on e-bay...well used and 44 bucks to boot... I just have to have to have one ....w/... comes w/ a complete repair kit
$44 - not bad. I've seen them for $55 and over at some of the antique shops so you did fine. Welcome to the clan of the 8R! Let us know when it arrives and share a photo or two of the initial burn.
I have a new 123R and three used 8R's. I prefer the 8R for the fact that it is a bit more stable with a pot and I love the little lunch box esthetic. I actually leave both these models at home and take a 99 camping. Love the cooking lid. The 123 does fit nicely inside a small billy though and is a good stove. The pump is a good investment and one pump with two caps will give you good service,
I am half way there,really looking forward to the 8r,something about them just attracts me. 123 is next,this place has really put me over the edge,you guys are a bad influence. Thanks, Shampine
They are nononotnotnot. We were all like this long before this site was developed. At least they were, me, i've always been nornornormal. lance
No place for the 99 in your candidates? It's like the 8R with aluminum case with the lid that you can use as a small pod too. I've just seen on on ebay for $26. I have one of the 99 and couple of 123R and I like the 99 better. Good luck.....Som
Oh Sure, make me add the 99 to my list I think I really need a 99,looks like a winner...keeping my eye on that one on e-bay.Thanks for the info. Shampine
Hey Shampine, Man you have a bad case of the "Stove Bug", but having succumbed to the illness myself, I can empathize with you. There seem to be a lot of variants of the Optimus 8R. I have a 99 clone (made in Taiwan) which isn't bad, and I really like my Russian 8R clone. The Russian clone was recently available at A&H for $40 dollar and is a good buy. I bet you could make a collection out of 8R clones. How does everyone feel about eating out of the 99's pot, since it comes in contact with the fuel tank and burner soot? Some folks object to storing their stove and cook pots together. Keep on Stovin! Manny
You hit that on the head Manny I bid on TWO 123s last night,hoping to win ONE...come to find I won Both ! ...at $36.02 and $36.50.seems like a good deal Now for the 99 and who knows what else Thanks to all for helping my new addiction Shampine
