In the recap, how could you fail to repeat that the Windmaster has a 90 min burn time per small canister compared to the MSR's 60 mins, a whopping 50% more! That alone makes the Windmaster the clear winner! Roxie, pardon my Francais, but you are full of it!
Quite agree. Plus don't think two stoves so similar in everything (some say MSR copied the SOTO) can have 50% difference in efficiency if used in similar way. She doesn't know what she's talking about.
Your review seems biased: 1) Soto has max BTU 11,000 vs PR2 10,400. Yet, you are saying that a stove with less BTU on max heats water faster? 2) You failed to mention in your final analysis that the Soto is far more efficient in fuel usage even though it has greater BTU, by a full 30 minutes which could be extra days on the trail before needing a new fuel canister. 3) How many days of use did the windmaster have on it? A new stove out of the box would work without issue. I have used mine flawlessly for approximately 30 days of hiking it lights first/second time at all altitudes. 4) You didn't state the age or use of each stove. 5) You clearly didn't know how the Windmaster functioned, as you fumbled around with it giving an impression it was difficult to use, which it isn't if you are familiar with it.
Firstly it looks like the igniter needs adjustment on the Soto, carefully adjusting the bit where the spark comes off it needs to be in the right position like a vehicle spark plug. Secondly the Soto lasts and extra 30 min on a small gas canister that’s a huge amount on a multi day trip. Third the pot stand can be left on yes it will take up more space, though when removing it I have never lost it new ones can be purchased, I bought the 3 pronged one which makes it lighter than the MSR.
Definitely don't follow the instructions for the Soto for you test. Just keep clicking away at the thing. Mine takes a few clicks when first attached to the tank and then it's first click every time. And definitely release a huge ball of flammable gas in front of your face while you keep trying to ignite it. (mentioned in the instructions).
The soto is less noisy. I found her fumbling annoying on purose or she is not very capable. The soto is more capable with two flange setups and burns 90 minutes on a small canister. And its cheaper. No brainer for me. Also she's mad clicking on the piezo but not putting enough pressure on it. One or two firm clicks does it on mine, as well the gas needs to be flowing , by opening the gas just a little more before clicking .
REI just raised the price on ALL gas canisters from all companies, by a whole dollar. So the cans that cost $4.95 forever are now $5.95. This just happened.
Great video!!! I’ve watched a few comparison video of these two stoves and strangely what appears to be the better stove changes from video to video. The boil times seem to vary greatly depending on gas brand and quite a few complained about the MSR igniter but the SOTO igniter worked flawlessly for them. Seems to me both have good and not do good batches.
Very good review. I am a stovaholic and have both stoves. I have had a Windmaster for 8 years and just bought a PRD on REI’s 20% sale combined with my annual dividend which brought the price down considerably. I have only tried the PRD on top of my kitchen stove inside with the ventilation fan going. I noticed straightaway that pots have full contact with the Windmaster 4flex potstand and with the PRD only the tips of the potstand contact the pot due the angle of the prongs. I prefer the Windmaster potstand for stability although I don’t like having to put it on an off every time with the risk of losing it. If you lose the Windmaster potstand it renders the stove virtually inoperable. Both stoves have a relatively wide flame pattern which is more efficient with pots larger than a 4 inche diameter, for example the MSR Titan or the GSI 1L pot with the folding handle, I forgot what they call it, which are both 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Other than the potstand issue the two stoves seem fairly equal in performance, and assembly quality to me. Cheers!
I found this to be super useful, thank you. I was originally going to buy the Soto but the MSR looks to be slightly higher quality so I think I have changed my mind… thanks again!
Thanks for video. Why you didn't use the same size canister for test? I think pressure of bottle size could affect the time of boiling ?
Exactly.
In the recap, how could you fail to repeat that the Windmaster has a 90 min burn time per small canister compared to the MSR's 60 mins, a whopping 50% more! That alone makes the Windmaster the clear winner! Roxie, pardon my Francais, but you are full of it!
Quite agree. Plus don't think two stoves so similar in everything (some say MSR copied the SOTO) can have 50% difference in efficiency if used in similar way. She doesn't know what she's talking about.
1 liter pot… like aluminum? Love the inside outside comparison. What about fuel consumption?
the pocket rocket deluex has a special regulator that helps save gas too! im not sure if the soto has it or not though...?
It also has a micro regulator.
It has a regulator.
$65 vs $80 - I don't think they are close at price.
Your review seems biased: 1) Soto has max BTU 11,000 vs PR2 10,400. Yet, you are saying that a stove with less BTU on max heats water faster? 2) You failed to mention in your final analysis that the Soto is far more efficient in fuel usage even though it has greater BTU, by a full 30 minutes which could be extra days on the trail before needing a new fuel canister. 3) How many days of use did the windmaster have on it? A new stove out of the box would work without issue. I have used mine flawlessly for approximately 30 days of hiking it lights first/second time at all altitudes. 4) You didn't state the age or use of each stove. 5) You clearly didn't know how the Windmaster functioned, as you fumbled around with it giving an impression it was difficult to use, which it isn't if you are familiar with it.
Did you notice when she was lighting them, she had the gas on the soto at full blast and the msr only a little bit? Hardly a fair comparison 🙄 😒
I noticed your observations also. 👍
She’s testing a pocket rocket deluxe, not the PR 2, the deluxe has 11,000 BTUs the same as the Soto W/M.
Firstly it looks like the igniter needs adjustment on the Soto, carefully adjusting the bit where the spark comes off it needs to be in the right position like a vehicle spark plug. Secondly the Soto lasts and extra 30 min on a small gas canister that’s a huge amount on a multi day trip. Third the pot stand can be left on yes it will take up more space, though when removing it I have never lost it new ones can be purchased, I bought the 3 pronged one which makes it lighter than the MSR.
Definitely don't follow the instructions for the Soto for you test. Just keep clicking away at the thing. Mine takes a few clicks when first attached to the tank and then it's first click every time. And definitely release a huge ball of flammable gas in front of your face while you keep trying to ignite it. (mentioned in the instructions).
The soto is less noisy. I found her fumbling annoying on purose or she is not very capable. The soto is more capable with two flange setups and burns 90 minutes on a small canister. And its cheaper. No brainer for me. Also she's mad clicking on the piezo but not putting enough pressure on it. One or two firm clicks does it on mine, as well the gas needs to be flowing , by opening the gas just a little more before clicking .
REI just raised the price on ALL gas canisters from all companies, by a whole dollar. So the cans that cost $4.95 forever are now $5.95. This just happened.
Yep! Prices are going up...
Great video!!! I’ve watched a few comparison video of these two stoves and strangely what appears to be the better stove changes from video to video. The boil times seem to vary greatly depending on gas brand and quite a few complained about the MSR igniter but the SOTO igniter worked flawlessly for them. Seems to me both have good and not do good batches.
I like the Soto Amicus over Windmaster, it's just as good without the two parts.
Thanks for the heads up. We will look into the Amicus then
The outdoor boil, looks like its done in a low or no wind condition. Make the test in a STRONG cold wind to see, if that change the result.
Yes, it was done in low wind conditions. We're planning to do more tests, so will take that in mind. Thanks!
Very good review. I am a stovaholic and have both stoves. I have had a Windmaster for 8 years and just bought a PRD on REI’s 20% sale combined with my annual dividend which brought the price down considerably. I have only tried the PRD on top of my kitchen stove inside with the ventilation fan going. I noticed straightaway that pots have full contact with the Windmaster 4flex potstand and with the PRD only the tips of the potstand contact the pot due the angle of the prongs. I prefer the Windmaster potstand for stability although I don’t like having to put it on an off every time with the risk of losing it. If you lose the Windmaster potstand it renders the stove virtually inoperable. Both stoves have a relatively wide flame pattern which is more efficient with pots larger than a 4 inche diameter, for example the MSR Titan or the GSI 1L pot with the folding handle, I forgot what they call it, which are both 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Other than the potstand issue the two stoves seem fairly equal in performance, and assembly quality to me. Cheers!
Great points here. Thanks for sharing you experience!
I found this to be super useful, thank you. I was originally going to buy the Soto but the MSR looks to be slightly higher quality so I think I have changed my mind… thanks again!
Glad it was helpful!
Lone Wolf found the exact opposite.