Optimus Vega

Discussion in 'Other Models' started by Reflector, Feb 27, 2021.

  1. Reflector

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    This one is "new for me" (new stove day again!) since it appears to be a return that was fired briefly before it was returned which allowed me to get it at significant discount. There was another topic (from a search) on it but the photos were all removed.

    It has a lot of control for the gas valve. It isn't like the relatively insensitive single valve designs where around a quarter or half twist from the closed position it goes to 100%. From what I can tell there is around 450 degrees of rotation to it. The first 1/8 or so of rotation from the closed position is needed to initially open up the valve enough to even light it off. There is plenty of control when using it as a gas feed to the point that it can be brought down to a stupid low simmer where the flame "dances" on the burner head and pufts at a high frequency. On canister inversion the stove surges a bit so turning it down to a simmer is a good idea.

    The fuel line is stiffer than on my Primus Omnilite Ti and definitely in comparison to the Sotos Stormbreaker and Muka that I have. I would put it as being less stiff than a MSR Whisperlite Universal but a bit stiff than the Simmerlite. The fuel line does not spin at the stove end, only on the valve end which makes it kind of a pain to manage.

    Caveat: My flame shots are done with pure butane, which has a lot less pressure at room temperature. The Vega likely has much more output with isobutane mixes due to the increased pressure.

    Vega box contents.jpg
    Vega stove folded right.jpg
    Vega stove folded left.jpg Vega stove top.jpg Vega stove bottom.jpg Vega stove valve top unfolded.jpg Vega stove valve bottom detail.jpg Vega stove valve bottom fold.jpg
    Vega box front.jpg Vega box side 1.jpg Vega box rear.jpg Vega box side 2.jpg Vega box top.jpg Vega box bottom.jpg
     
  2. Reflector

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    Flame shows which are more numerous due to the surprisingly fine fine valve control:
    Super simmer (flame dances on burner)
    Low
    Medium-ish
    Medium-ish high
    High
    Maximum output on straight butane (no isobutane/propane mix)
    Maximum output on liquid feed of butane

    And it indeed does light up the (relatively dark/near moonlight levels of illumination) surroundings with the glowing pot supports a little, it just is more apparent on camera at max liquid output.

    Vega super simmer.jpg Vega low.jpg Vega medium.jpg Vega medium high.jpg Vega high.jpg Vega gas max.jpg Vega liquid max.jpg