WRT to the yellow text, that would be me BUT I am not into buying something just because it is "improved"; it has to be 'better' and proven for me to toss some bucks at it.
Depends on what you'd call "better" then. Personally speaking, I wouldn't be buying one of these for at least two to three years. I believe heavily in MSR and I rally think they put a lot into designs. That said, I have a tent that I'd never buy again when I used to think it was the bomb. Priorities change. Whisperlite family sells so well because it's so bloody good, that's what sold me on mine.
The International is still on the MSR site, but not the Universal. I hope they didn't scrap the one for the other.
Yeah, I was able to glean that from their UK site. Good news, for now. But just because they still carry it doesn't mean stores will. Stocking space is a major concern so we might have to buy replacement kits and whatnot from an online source and I do not believe in this as a be-all, end-all. You need to look/listen/feel, to quote my favourite band.
I had almost decided on the Reactor, but didn't like it because it was $$ IMO, canister and what I really didn't like was how only a Reactor pot fit on the burner. I was impressed with it after watcing this video and some other youtube reviews where it really seemed like a furnace. In the end, the "reactor pot only" issue made me forget it. This video is also the one that made me think, initially, that a canister stove would be ok for a "just in case" winter one with the Primus PowerGas, but I haven't had a cold day yet to even try it with the PocketRocket on the deck for starters. I am also pretty sure I don't like the idea of a canister being in an inside jacket pocket or too cold to be used.
Canister stoves ARE impressive. It's just that once yo try to get one going in the backwoods of the Chignecto game sanctuary in the middle of February you change your tune. Hey, if you only drag the thing around during summer, as mentioned, fine.
I am also wary of gas cylinders, period. And it looks idiotic if you have to light a fire to warm your stove cylinders, yeah?
I am not insulting those that use them. They have a purpose. I'll likely never own one because I do not believe in them, I do not like the waste they create, I do not trust them, I am willing to take the weight of the liquids, I am comfortable with liquid stoves, and so on.
I looked at the gas ones again, and was looking at the WhisperLite Intl for the exact reasons you are talking about. I've read a few articles on how people simmer with the Whisperlite (lower pressure in tank, use a flamespreader) but simmering isn't a concern of mine for the most part so I bypassed the Simmerlite and DragonFly.
Well don't let me try to talk you out of spending a few more bucks in MEC or with Trail Shop
It does make for some fun when you get a few people who have limited experience with the outdoors and tell them your stove will run on almost anything!
I have simmered with the Whisperlite before but it was out of pure necessity at the time. Normally I make sure that I have meals planned so that I don't have to fanny about with it.
Oddly enough, that is pretty much what I was leaning towards, except opting for the International ( I like any degree of flexibility, even if I will likely never use it).
I will always go with someting I know or something proven, which is why I shelled out $120 at Canadian Tire for a Coleman 2 burner naptha stove for car camping, the same one I used in the field, I knew it worked, could take a beating and I knew *how* it worked. Heck, I didn't even want to use a 'store bought' naptha can, so I emailed the company that makes the issued one, and they sent me a "sample" for free.
Thanks for the info Scott. Nothing is better than the input from 'those that have'.
You're in the same boat as I am. I think you'd be happy with the Whisperlite series. Anyone with half a brain can operate it right out of the box and they're just too simple to fix. Plus, if you have any sort of mishap you can boot the ****ers a hell of a lot further than an old Coleman!!! I am pretty sure Danjanou knows Howie the Mad Stove Kicker from the RNfldR...and I think of him every time I light my stove anywhere within spitting distance of my tent.
If you have more questions please just ask. My Whisperlite has seen some altitude, canoe trekked, worked in the desert, worked after a serious dunking in snow, saved my *** during power failures, and so on.
Cheers
