Optimus Crux lite

T

Tank

Active Member

Messages

321

• Aug 6, 2011

• #1

Anybody use the Optimus stoves? I picked one up today to try on a 3 day high country scouting trip. Hoping that is works, as I have never used this type of a stove yet. Anything I need to be aware of with this type of stove?

 

H

HardcoreOutdoor

Guest

• Aug 11, 2011

• #2

I prefer the Snow Peak Litemax and Jetboil Sol Ti to the Optimus.

Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com

 

T

Tank

Active Member

Messages

321

• Aug 11, 2011

• #3

Thanks for the input Wade, these type of stoves are new to me. Not sure if I am willing to take chances with these type of stoves on a week long high country hunt. I have used a Primus Himalya for years and never had to worry if it was going to work, or if I had enough fuel. Change is difficult...

 

H

HardcoreOutdoor

Guest

• Aug 11, 2011

• #4

Canister stoves are great unless you try to use them in temps below say 22 degrees then they will perform poorly. If you aren't sure then you should go with a liquid fuel unit.

Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com

 

T

THuntin

Guest

• Aug 12, 2011

• #5

I have this stove and have had zero problems with it. It boils water faster than my friends jetboil and is lighter weight. I plan on using it on my high country colorado hunt this year.

 

H

HardcoreOutdoor

Guest

• Aug 12, 2011

• #6

Splitting hairs stuff but my Jetboil Sol Ti beats my Optimus Crux Lite by almost 1 minute to boil a half liter of water.

Regardless, if you think you might be in temps less than 20 degrees neither will work properly or at all.

Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com

 

T

Thunderclapper

Active Member

Messages

254

• Aug 12, 2011

• #7

LAST EDITED ON Aug-12-11 AT 04:16PM (MST)[p]Hey Wade, what happens below 20 degrees? Does the regulator on the Sol Ti solve the problem?

 

H

HardcoreOutdoor

Guest

• Aug 12, 2011

• #8

Depends on the particular stove but they sputter, spew a weak yellow flame, won't run at full power or won't run at all.

It is the cold not the altitude that effects pressurized canister stoves and the relatively new addition of regulators to them only maintains an even pressure allowing them to work better on the lower end of the operating range. 20 degrees above zero is about the limit for most of the ones I have tested which is why I say you better be sure about your possible temps and the type of stove you choose to depend on during a particular trip.

I wrote a recent blurp on my site about the Jetboil Sol Ti, it is a significant leap forward in the space and I now recommend it.

Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com