I just aquired an optimus 8r and after waiting 20 minutes for a litre of water to boil in my kitchen I can honestly say it wont be going camping anytime soon they look neat but seem to be otherwise useless.I'll stick to the much maligned Coleman if I need to do any serious cooking 8)
My 8R boils a 50 Deg.F Liter of water, room temp.,65F in 12 min. I removed the self cleaning needle from my 8R within an hour of taking possesion of it. I also clean the jet before every lighting, and neever ever allow it to burn dry. My Svea 123 (NOT R) will boil a 50 Deg. F liter of water in the same pot in 9 minutes. My Msr Pocket Rocket boils in abouit 13-14 min using Glowmaster isobutane fuel, and approx 10 minutes with Glowmaster Premium Blend isobutane/propane. The Optimus 00 Takes charge and boils a piddling Liter of water in the same pot as the others in just less than six minutes. It's a REAL stove. That said, my 123 in a Sigg tourist cooker has been with me in the N. Cascades for over 35 years. It has never failed me in all that time and has never needed attention other than fresh fuel. Perhaps your 8R needs some attention, and you might consider removing the self cleaning needle. My opinion is that was an "improvement" that wasn't needed. Nordicthug
I got to admit, I was surprised to see an 8R nominated. All of those I've had have been champs, when and if they screw up, its because there's something wrong inside, not the stove it self. I'm voting for two here; My friend almost lost his life to a colsman feather 400, while getting it warmed up, the tank lid popped off lighting the contents of the tank-as well as his face- which earned it a well deserving kick down the hill and away from our tents. for me, It's the new Primus vari-fuel; It's funny how 2 things about it can kill your interest, one is the flipping tank design(I got spoiled w/ my 111B, just turn the regulator OFF) the other is I was told before spending $70 for this P.O.S. that it had "full temp control", in use? 2 temps, off and thermonucliar gone amok! I'll stick to my 210s and 96s thank you much!
my coleman 505b boils a litre of water in under 4min as opposed to 20 min for the 8r and I've never heard of a coleman tank lid coming off on its own, it must have been loose to begin with.
OK, try this; coleman peak one multifuel, 3 mo.s use and I get a fire ball out of the BASE of the generator. No,after 20 yrs experience w/ these portable portals to H**l, I'll never trust coleman again. Poorly built, designed to need parts replaced too often-aka the generator- if they were the only stoves available, I'ld stick to camp fires. Thank God for Swedish stoves
Here's my least favourite stove given a makeover! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16036&item=7129425998&rd=1
Ross What is it you don't like about the Mk2 ,quality ,construction or that bullet proof vault it comes in.I have about 8 of them with assorted parts.I took one with me on a cabin trip once and it failed me on the first try.Worked great on the pre trip burn but would not run on the trip.lugged that anchor all the way up that mountain on a sled in 10 inches of snow to end up with a paper weight. Dan
