Hello there. I’m a new subscriber man what a test. I watched the whole video. It was long but it was worth it. I went to my local REI and bought the MSR Whisperlite stove. I have been reading about it but spending over hundred bucks was holding me back. After your review I went and bought the stove with other accessories I spent $234.00 and didn’t phase me. Thank you for sharing the review. You sealed the deal
Excellent and fair review- Thank-you. I ended up retiring my Coleman multi fuel stove as I could not get parts. It served me well for 28 years. I went with the Optimus Polaris to replace that because of longevity possibility with the non-plastic construction and ease of use. Thanks for doing what you do to help folks make good decisions
Really like the test you did for comparison. I have had the MSR for over 20 years and bought the Optimus 5 years ago as a back up and to be able to quickly cook something with out having to prime and use a canister. You came up with the same results that I have experienced in the field. I carry both but love the quiet of the MSR.
Thank you for your videos after watching you do the review I decided to get the Optimus Polaris ! I like the fact that you can use different fuels and not have to change parts out . Hopefully more videos to come from you for Polaris
Dude, I have seen all your Whisperlite videos, and I simply LOVE how thorough you r doing these things. It is a real pleasure to watch. This is also gonna help a ton in choosing what MF burner to buy. Just thought I’d put some credit where credit is due. 🙏 Take care!
Watched all of yours Coleman stoves videos last week, but after todays Live Video figured I will re-watch this video. Thanks again very good detailed review! and it comes from a guy, me, who has both of them too. I think you covered all the points . Those stows are the best. I have them for almost 5 years and use both of them at least twice a year, - no complains. I also remember asking at least 2 older fellows in two different stores when they'll go on sail, because i noticed that they are same price in each store all the time for the last year. They laughed at me and said: " i work here for the last 20 years - models change a bit but they always same price. Companies know about their qualities, - and if you know what you looking at you'll buy it"
Thanks for the videos - I was going to go with a dragonfly for the flame control but started to look at other companies as well - All the stoves with good flame control just seem to loud and to spend another $50-100 to silence them is a bit much. I just purchased the MSR WhisperliteUniversal since it's quite and if I need good flame control I can use the isobutane fuels - I also have an adaptor to attach to a propane canister that works with my other mini stoves so should work with the whisperlite and add one more possible fuel source. Keeping in mind this will also be used car camping - but will be available for some backpacking trips - Never thought I'd be so hard to decide on a stove! Thanks Jiu-Jitsu 2000!
I am late to the party, but still wanted to say thanks. I have the Whisperlite, but just purchased a new (old stock) Optimus Nova+ and fired it up today. Whatever the last model was before discontinued. Same basic technology as the Omnifuel from the generator onwards. Anyhow, I was viewing to see if others have that unstable fluttering from the jet, and I have to say yes. Just how the jet is designed I guess, nothing unusual with mine. Unstable sounding, but also like a fighter jet engine or something. Different from the smooth hiss of the whisperlite I was used to. This video is very helpful for many reasons - excellent job.
Nice review. Looks like both are good stoves. I have no direct experience with Optimus but have had to deal with MSR on a tent issue I was having. They were super responsive and solved my issue promptly by sending new stuff free of charge. At these prices, it is good to know what kind of CUSTOMER SUPPORT to expect if something does go wrong.... something as simple as email response time to a random question might be included as part of a review(?) PS - I believe it would also be valuable to weigh the fuel bottles before and after to see how much fuel was burned in the process.
Great review! I just bought the Polaris after using my XGK for 20 plus years. Your reviews really helped with the decision. The final deciding factor for me was the fuel pump and ease of switch between gas and liquid without changing parts even if efficiency is compromised a little. My XGK still works great but I'm on the second fuel pump after the first one cracked.
Wow Brotha I just finished your video comparison on the 2 stoves I'm impressed with the MSR performance was outstanding I liked the other stove I just can't believe how freaking LOUD I couldnt handle it that is crazy loud and to have to pay another 50 bucks just to quiet down the Polaris I don't like that part at all but I do like how you don't have to change anything for different fuels but yeah Great Review Sir Thank You for your Prayers God Bless!
Thank you, a great review video! Maybe that would be an additional point, if before and after the test you would measure the weight of the fuel containers. From the difference before/after we could see how much fuel is used. That would be a really userful. :)
I have had an Optimus stove since back in the 70’s very reliable i can go get an put in my backpack an not have to worry about it not working I can’t say anything about the MSR I never tried any of their products Great video thanks for sharing
Thanks so much for your videos , I bought the msr last year, I should receive my new polarius tomorrow, I also bought the vega , the crux weekend he cookset, the msr pocket rocket deluxe . Both companies have great customer service, the only difference is optimus said they don't have a repair shop anymore but they can make sure we can get parts. Msr can inexpensively rebuild the stove and pump for about $30. I completely agree that you cant go wrong with either company and any of their stoves.
Great test. I already use Optimus Crux for ultralight backpacking and I am super satisfied with the quality of it. I also used MSR PocketRocket which I found a very simple and robust tool. I believe and I am trully confident that both presented stoves are super awesome but I would go with the optimus here. I look for a small car camping stove where weight is not an issue, noise I can survive. With a small kid on a camping I prefer to have one settings for all types of fuel, good support on the ground and possibility to acommodate different sizes of pots from small to large. As of the test itself - lots of details and useful information. Very professional.
Only 1/4 through this video and already gained some useful insights, some of which I've confirmed over the years. My own experience, howevver, is only with older Primus and MSR stoves in 70's and 80's. The refinements in the newer stoves are great, however I find the increasing reliance upon plastic materials potentially disastrous in the long term. My old Primus has sprung a hose leak at the pump end and I'm going to repair it this spring. All of the hose fittings on stoves old and new are an Achilles heel. Watching a lot of stove videos i realize that every time a stove is used, the hose fittings get a lot of exercise, sometimes too much.
Nice and complete check of the 2 stoves! Well done, thanks! It was a surprise to me that the msr had been faster at boiling because the technical data of the stoves tells that the polaris have a higher amount of power (4200W at gas) than the msr (2990W) in the data sheet! In that way it tells me, the practical check you have done is very useful and neccessary! I got the polaris causing the very robust standing but both stoves are nice ones
Great comparison! Been using Optimus myself for years (with a Trangia adapter). MSR seems to do better on performance, but I suspect that on the small kettles in the field, the difference would be negligible.
Exactly! And in the field, you cannot use the higher energy, without burning your pan or casserole. Only when boiling water in a steel pot, the higher energy could be useful.
People comment on the plastic pump on the msr vs the metal pump on the Polaris, but the plastic on the msr is pretty thick gauge plastic, I can’t see it failing. I want both but I went with the Polaris as my first multi fuel stove. Thanks for the in depth review. I also worry about losing that shaker jet tool.
After watching the test I too would give the edge to MSR. The magnet test kind of worried me but not so much as not owning one. I do like the pump on the Optimus because it is not plastic other than that I believe you could not go wrong with either stove. Great video on the pro's and con's of each stove
I wonder if one reason the MSR boils faster is that the larger, broader flame transfers heat over a wider area, and hence more efficiently. A small, hot flame will show signs of localized boiling sooner, but the overall heat transfer with a broader flame is, in the end, more efficient. That would indicate the broader flame of the MSR has multiple advantages in the real world- not only for pancakes, but also in fuel use. If the MSR had a controllable flame like the Dragonfly, maybe it would be an overall winner.
I have both along with many others. A couple things I have noticed. The optimus fuel filter clogs more often for me. I prefer the optimus pump. It just seems tougher. Neither fold up great, but the Polaris seems a little better. I also have a primus multifuel which seems like another excellent choice. In the end I can say that MSR warranty and customer service are top notch. Parts are also pretty easy to find. I am bothered by the fact that MSR pumps only work on MSR fuel bottles where both of the others mentioned seem fine with any as long as threads match. Probably just made the choices tougher!
I adapted my MSR International to run all fuels including alcohol. Took a little doing but it works great on all the standard fuels for the International and butane/propane and alky changing jets and air mixture adjuster. What I don't like about my MSR is the pot support is too big. Japanese bikes with constant velocity Keihin or Mikuni carbs didn't need to change jets at altitude. The carbs compensated. When my cousins Harley was gasping in Colorado the '81 Gold Wing purred like a happy kitten.
Thx 4 the very good comparison. I was sold on the no parts to change idea cuz I have lost parts quite a few times. But to Polaris obviously compromise on peak performance for no part changing feature. Also It cost a whole lot more, plus additional $$ to buy the quiet cap. It also does not come with any spare parts! Have to pay much $$$ just to get couple O-rings for the Polaris. In the end, while I like the no parts changing and its ability to control simmer while using white gas or gasoline fuel better than Whisper, I'll stick with my Whisper.
more often then not i modify my gear to meet my needs. it wouldn't be hard to braze, solder, weld, epoxy...bigger feet on the msr. as well as, modify the arms to hold smaller or larger pots or pans. its a tough choice. great video
Looks like the 2 pumps are able to run on either system so you can use the Optimus pump with the MSR stove since you like that pump better…just a thought…i just purchased both of these systems tonight looking to see what other things can be used from both systems, like jets maybe or whatever, might be able to swap things you like from one to the other and make your own personalized stove, what great fun… great testing.
Great video, OK I have the Optimus Polaris and 2 things I noticed with your video, on the fluid when you were doing the test I noticed the Optimus was fluctuating this is due to low pressure in the bottle, on the gas when you use it in gas mode it doesn't kick out much, but if you stop the gas coming through then turn it into winter mode then relight it, it actually gives much more power, I noticed the MSR did it automatically, and I think the Optimus Polaris if you switch it off then turn the canister over you'll see a massive power, I boiled 1ltr of water and took 2mins 34 seconds 👍 try it out and you'll see the difference from gas mode then switch it of then turn canister over a relight it, then watch the power kick out extremely more aggressive 👍 😀 great vid 👍
This is a great benchtop review. I highly suggest people consider their type of outdoor activity before they buy a stove. Are you in low wind conditions? Are you at cold windy high elevation? Consider the burner design and efficiency with and without wind. If you are mountaineering in cold windy conditions you may find that the MSR is not the most effective stove.
Thanks for the comparison. I’m going to buy the Polaris. Not changing bits is a great feature and it just seems to be overall more robust with the metal pump and chunky feet.
I certainly am going to add the Wisperlite to my wish list. The Polaris is $50 more expensive here in Canada. I prefer the pump construction given the showing in this video but its not worth the extra price. Love the versatility of fuels too great for survival or traveling where fuel sources are unknown.
I own a Optimus Nova+, and I’ve boiled corn on the cob fairly quickly. It’s a bad ass stove. Ten years of heavy use, and never had an issue with anything. Top of the line hands down.
Excellent review. We are now looking for a multifuel stove and very hard to decide between those two great products. Since 2018 when you made this video do you always prefer the MSR?
It's hard to argue with the results, but I'd have to go with Optimus. Two reasons. If it's possible to loose fiddly bits? I'm your guy. One thing I really don't like about my whisper light is how stiff the line is going to the stove. When your limited for for flat spots like on rocks, it can be real bugger keeping the stove portion where you put it (at least for me). The Optimus appears to have a more flexible hose. Thanks for the in-depth review👍
Great video to compare each stove, at the start up with both stoves, if you put fire paste under the generator to heat it up, your stove will not flame up
Awsome head to head comparison 👌 Never own a MSR but I had an old Optimus 111 in it's blue casing. Yep, that was lightweight backpacking in the old days 😂😂😂 always perform great. I also have an old czechoslovakia army one similar to the Svea 123 , it's called the Meva 2140 no pump just pressurize by the heat and I Really like it. I'm looking to get something newer and I am a bit surprise by the price. I saw your video on the APG one but some other seems to had great results with even with oil lamp and that one is really budget friendly. I have look as you told for used one on eBay and in Canada They are just a bit below a new one without knowing if you will have to invest into spark parts. So maybe I will try the APG which seem to me very complete with even the fuel bottle. I Really like your Channel and the way you conduct your test. I have one suggestion, can you make some fuel efficiency testing with those 2 stoves by weighting before and after the fuel use for boiling those 64 onces of water.
There is possibly a plus side to the noise of the Optimus. I haven’t used the MSR, but with the Optimus I can do other things around the camp and know that everything is ok with the burner. If there is a problem, I’ll hear it. With a few other options I’ve tried, I feel a constant need to check on the burner. That said, I do find the noise annoying.
Great videos, man! These have been great for deciding which stove to get. Maybe you can answer a question I have been wondering about regarding the Optimus' fuel tube in the pump. I have read (in one review) that the fuel tube might not be bent enough away from the center so that end stays firm to the bottom of the bottle in ON-mode and to the top of the inside in OFF-mode. The problem then being that the OFF-mode doesn't really work if the bottle is above half full, and that the fuel tube is unable to reach all the fuel left when it's nearing empty. Yours seems more bent out than most I've seen in videos and in person. Have you ever experienced this problem yourself? I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the issue. Thanks!
You have ran a perfect comparison of the two stoves.. My personal opinion would go with Polaris because of not having to change jets. I go into deep snow and if I was to have to change in these conditions not only do I risk loosing them but also freezing your hands. I have questions on this.... I have the optimus nova. Works perfect... No problems what so ever at minus 30 Celsius degrees in LAP LAND SWEDEN. BOTHE THE NOVA AND POLARIS BURN SAME FUEL EXCEPT THE POLARIS WILL USE CANISTER GAS. CAN YOU BUY AN ADAPTER HOSE LIKE THE ONE ON POLARIS THAT WILL WORK WITH THE NOVA. Many Thanks for any info you provide..... Again a great video on the comparison. You did it the correct way.. Don't listen to some of the smart ????? AIRBORNE
I know, necro-post, but I have to comment... Found this video as I am thinking of consolidating to one stove to rule them all solution. I have an MSR XGK II Shaker Jet that I have had for +/- 25 years. I used it mostly for making Ramen while training in the Army. In those 25 years, I have rebuilt it once, I have run every possible kind of fuel through it, and it has never (not once) failed to function. I purchased a Nova + around 5 years ago. Both stoves were run with white fuel at that time and have sat since. They sat as I played with alcohol stoves, and canister stoves for awhile. Anywhoo... I went to fire them both up this past weekend and the MSR started right up, but the Nova + will not get fuel. The canister is pressurizing, and I removed the filter on the Nova to make sure it wasn't clogged, and fuel just does not get to the bowl. I've disassembled and cleaned every component. Not looking for advice on getting the Nova started, and I prefer the ergo of the Optimus, but in a limited sample, the MSR gives me much more confidence. In your experience is the MSR more reliable, or do I just have a lemon of an Optimus.
This is an excellent comment... The MSR stoves are fantastic and very easy to maintain in the field. I found that the optimus Polaris and optimus Nova have the same kind of reliability. I'm not a big fan of the Nova +... in fact, I sold mine.
I'm obsessed with camping pots and I would recommend the Zebra stainless steel products, especially the 12cm or 14cm Billy cans or lunchboxes. I'm also a huge fan of Stanley's steel products. Inexpensive but smart and simple, rock solid and easy to find. I nest the Optimus Polaris and accessories (minus the fuel bottle) in the pot of a Stanley Two Bowl Cookset. Probably work well for the MSR too. These stoves have a fairly large packing footprint and I'm paranoid about them getting crushed and bent.
for the legs or feet, yes, the MSR would sink/turn on sand. that’s why I use the MSR Trillium stove base. the MSR Trillium stove base works on all MSR stoves I think for sand/snow use….
Operating a gas stove at too low a level is the very best way to clog/soot up the main jet. Shaking the stove may or may not clean it sufficiently. Just something to keep in mind. Thanks for the video.
Somebody tried a test by swapping the fuel line from a Nova to a Polaris and vice versa, apparently the pulsing sound happens on the Polaris with either tube but doesn't on the Nova, the Nova was an older model. So I guess that the pulsing sound must be due to the generator design. I have found that the Polaris has less of a pulsing sound when you put slightly more pressure in the bottle. We also wondered whether the fuel line makes a difference as the aperture of the Polaris is less than a Whisperlite so this possibly makes a difference in respect of fuel feed and heat output, so increasing the bottle pressure a little will compensate for this. We wondered also whether the Lindal connection would impede fuel flow as it is designed originally for gas, and I questioned whether MSR had made the connection replaceable because of this. Apparently the narrower Polaris tube does have an impact on heat output when used with the Nova as I guess the tube must be narrower as I say. Also to end I have found a round old style MSR washer much better on the fuel bottle as the flat washer supplied leaked unless the pump was ridiculously tight, it is an Optimus bottle I have been using so theoretically should be ok.
Oh man. So starting the pots with the msr basically on medium and the Polaris pretty much off while you adjusted pots before turning them up was an advantage for msr. Great review of features snd good video overall
wow great comparison thanks!! i have the polaris and i love the stove.. i know the msr make perfect stove too.. but at the end of the video you say if you close the polaris valve some fuel will stay in the hose.. but in the manual says the correct way to off the stove its turning the bottle to the off position with the valve open and that way all the fuel will be burn.. again thanks for the video!!
The major difference (and deciding factor) between whisperlite-style liquid fuel burners (wide, shallow/exposed, flame dispersing) and xgk/dragonfly/omnifuel-style liquid fuel burners (narrow, recessed, flame concentrating), is the ability to melt snow/boil water rapidly in very cold and/windy conditions. The latter burner style (omnifuel/xgk) will win every time, hands down. I know from experience, with 10 day winter expeditions in mountainous areas and in sub-zero temps, folks who used the xgk were melting snow and boiling water much faster and therefore conserving fuel. Whereas the folks using the standard whisperlite were taking much longer to melt snow and boil water given the adverse environmental conditions; to the point that their fuel reserves were running much lower. Low fuel bottle reservoir (big air headspace in the bottle) adversely affects whisperlites in a way that compounds the problem. You need to pump the bottle more to maintain enough pressure to keep a strong flame, which means the stove is consuming more fuel. It doesn't take much pressure to maintain a strong flame on xgk-style buners. If you're not planning to take your stove on high altitude or subzero trips for extended periods, the whisperlite was preferred for price point, simplicity and cooking versatility. Since the advent of precision flame adjustability of the dragonfly/omnifuel style liquid fuel stoves, they have become the more versatile option since they'll perform well in all conditions (for melting snow, boiling water and cooking). The only downside is the noise. Personally, I'd only use a liquid fuel stove that performs well for melting snow/boiling water/cooking everywhere in every condition and with every fuel, for extended trips with a group of people since liquid fuel stoves are bulky and heavy. If I'm traveling or cooking solo, in relatively mild conditions and/or shorter trips, I prefer a lightweight/small pocketrocket-style stove.
Excellent review! Extremely thorough and detailed. Would you ab able to do one comparing the MSR XGK EX to the Polaris? The MSR XGK EX is supposed to considered the benchmark of MF stoves and would love to see how the Polaris performs against it.
Fuel effeciency has a flipside that worries me more than the fuel consumption: Carbon Monoxide emissions. Fuel burning at a lack of oxygen means CO emissions, and I mostly use these things for burning kerosene, being at the heavier end of the spectrum. During winter, wehrn It *is* tempting to bring your stove inside the tent. I haven't done it yet, but have considered bringing one of these CO alarms to see how high it gets. And if you're that serious, fuel efficiency is a priority. Plus, my wife likes a silent stove. So it's Whisperlite for me. I wonder ihow well it works to run the stove at low pressure for simmering, but I can always bring an alcohol stove for that. It's a good backup anyways.
Thanks a lot for this review 👍🏻 I like both stoves hehe. Well, can you pls tell me where I can get the silent cap for the Polaris? Greetings from Austria 😎
Nice review. I have also the polaris and only a whisperlite international. WLI is 15 yrs old now and still working as before. Modified my WLI to run with canister gas by putting a valve on the end bit and also by using the Optimus pump and fuel bottle I can run liquid fuel with the functionality of the flip off system. Works like a charm. Have you ever compared the boil time of the WLU and Polaris with your silent cap on it?
Thanks for solid head to head match of two great stoves but wondered if you used the polaris in the trangia 25 storm cooker? I already own the msr dragonfly, Simmerlite, pocket rocket deluxe and just bought the TRANGIA 25-23 Duossal with spirit burner. I can't remember you having any reviews of them. I'm hoping you know if the polaris would preform safety with legs collapsed in the Cooker like others have demonstrated? Might have to use less power as to not melt the AL Cooker but I'd rather not use the trangia Adaptor and have to remove the polaris's legs?
An additional confounding factor to head to head tests is that fuel canisters are not uniform, either between companies or within the same company. Even two canisters of the exact same brand will have variability due to a number of factors such as time of year/temperature when it was manufactured. As far as long term durability, my main concern honestly (over small differences in performance), when products are made as well as these it most likely will boil down to individual luck. Maybe a hyper-specific circumstance (a fall off a table at a specific angle) will make one fail and not the other and a different circumstance will do the opposite. Most likely, anything that will seriously trip up either stove would trip up any stove, like if you run it over with a car or lose it entirely. For what it's worth, I ordered a Polaris a few days ago :)
Fantastic video. I watched the entire thing. You were thorough and most importantly you were fair. I love the enthusiasm. Lol there aren't many significant others that would understand our interest in these things but I digress. I went with the Optimus Polaris with the quiet cap. I'm thinking along the lines of I get to camp late, Its dark, I'm cold, I'm hungry. No need to waste time changing fuel jets, which in all likelihood is a job only one member in the group (you) will be able to do. No risk of losing a piece in the field, better stability, smaller pack size, better looks, ability to use smaller pots and what I find is better overall controls, features & build quality. I love MSR, especially their guardian filter but in this case the only real advantage I see in the Whisperlite is the ability to clean the fuel line if it gums up. That's it. The boil times, I find are already negatable with only about 2 mins difference and only seconds apart when boiling smaller amounts. In my opinion the Optimus wins in simplicity and worse case scenario. "honey, I broke my wrist on that fall back there & I need you to change the jet on the stove...."
@@Alexonfire1 thank you, I loved your comment and I'm planning on doing some more stove videos in the future... I have over 1800 videos and there's lots of stuff to look at...
I chose the whisperlite international with diesel jet over the Optimus nova. It’s a lighter go anywhere set up. Diesel and kerosene is available all over the world..... it’s never let me down.... great video 👍
Great compassion! One question though, how does the optimus compare with the fuel filter in the pump? I am the first to admit that I enjoy to modify things. Stoves included. So I have set up a whisperlite to run on alcohol*. So it is safe to say I know my way around a WL... I've hade MSR pumps crack in the plastic on me, and that is not serviceable in the field. On the other hand the rest of the MSR stove is easily field serviceable. Hence, this is what i would do: get the whisperlite universal, attach the canister fitting and use a Lindal B188-style pump such as the optimus pump. Best of both worlds really. *Lots of disclaimers here, if you don't know what you are doing - do not attempt. O-rings and the MSR fuel bottles will deteriorate due to the chemical properties of alcohol. (Hit me up if you still are still interested :) )
I found your review interesting but it was really long-winded with some repetition. However, it was comprehensive and appreciate the actual time and effort you put into its production. The Optimus stove has been adopted by the Royal Marines when deployed to Norway, in the winter months, within the Arctic Circle. Being a former Royal Marine I was issued an Optimus stove that was very simple to use but noisy as well! It also was a single multi-fuel burning stove but not gas! This was is a time when they issued Brown Bess muskets, not like the personal weapons of today!! Anyway from your review my money is on the Optimus as it is "Bootneck" proof! Thank you for your service in former times.
Great comparison ! It' s a really hard decision which one i should buy. The close valve to the jet and the metal pump is a good reason for the optimus, but its so extremly loud. At the Other hand the massive pump and stove construction raises the wight of the complete system. But can i leave the pump mounted in the tank or do i have to disassemble the pump to avoid damaging the pump when i use the stove in the morning, afternoon an evening. Can the MSR turned of by flipping the fuel bottle and is the fuel pipe empty when disconnecting pipe from the bottle or does fuel coming out of the tube ?
Wow this was really good , well done and accurate .. Which stove would i choose ? Gawd that's tough , both have their strong points and maybe weak points if one could say that .. I have wrote to MSR about my Whisperlite in the 1980's as mine had a rubber composite fuel line and they said sent it to us and at no charge we will install an metal fuel so i did .. Over the years i have had questions and used the internet and i always got an answer back to my question.. My dealer carries MSR parts..Any company doesn't have to build mtn stoves for 100 years to get it right , look at Coleman for one .. Swedish quality has always been there except for the Crux model i see that says China huh.. But for features of push and shove , small but important features , large leg pods ( one feature i do not really like on my Simmerlite so i have to plan out where to place it) plus others and throttle valve attached to the stove body for instant fine adjustments , i do like that .. I'm not saying i'm too lazy to change jets as i do this as i own more MSR stoves than any other brand and have done this many times with my XGK not really any problem and i do the change at home in my shop... Optimus... would be my choice after watching this testing which is the best i have seen yet.. Well done ...
The liquid feed problem isn't actually an issue with the Optimus. Before turning it off just rotate the bottle so that the OFF is facing up, you then wait for a little and the valve being on top now pushes the rest of the fuel through and depressurizes the canister. Then, once there is no longer a flame, you're good to turn off the valve and know that there is no more fuel left in the line.
Generally MSR make more field maintainable stoves which is a big plus point. With the Polaris the fuel line is away from the heat so is probably unlikely to gum up unless you use thick dirty fuel of course!
@@jlau2014 I bought Optimus Polaris after watching a few more videos. I really like the Optimus the best, I looked at the Primus but it has a leather piece in fuel pump that could fail. I considered MSR but Optimus features won me over. In the end I bought the Optimus Polaris for reliability and ease of use features and cleaning of jet. I did buy a large 1.5 liter Primus fuel bottle and it fits Optimus Polaris fuel pump, but I haven't used that fuel bottle yet with fuel in it, I have two 1 liter Optimus fuel bottles and the .4 liter it comes with. Oh and I'm only using Primus canister fuels and White gas in my Polaris. Primus fuels seem to be better I have a case of 450g I bought from Primus and I'm also buying a case of Primus winter canisters soon in 450g.
So tough for me to chose between them, maybe I should watch more video lol. I like the size on Omnilite ti Love how easy on Polaris with only 1jet can use all fuel and the pump but I just watch jiujitsu2000 video that he tried to run all kind of fuel on his whisperlite with only 1jet and result is good hmmm. Confusing 🤣
Wow great info review! ...I am in the market to get another stove and on the fence as to what to get....I have used regularly alcho stoves (Trangia / evernew) but like the looks of multi fuel stove on test here... also I am very interested in flame control as I like to actually cook /simmer and not just blast and boil!....cheers
I don't think either is clearly better then the other. Both are outstanding stoves that will serve the end user well. Personally I have run a MSR Whisperlite International for years and it has been a great stove. But Optimus has caught my interest I really want to get my hands on one.
Great Review, I assume that apart from the better quality of the Optimus pump as far as materials are concerned, it must also be heavier? I have the MSR pump with a Whisperlite International and also a Primus pump for an Express Spider stove and must admit that the Primus Pump is substantially heavier than the MSR. Also the MSR tends to put more air into the fuel bottle with each stroke so in that sense is easier to prepare. I am also wondering about the single Jet on the Polaris, is it just simply a jet, i.e. it hasn't been modified to work differently with different viscosities of fuel? I am not an engineer but was wondering if a jet could be designed to accommodate different fuels, just a thought?
What are your thoughts on the length and flexibility if the fuel lines? I have an older whisperlite and really dislike the short stiff fuel line, it is alway a pain. Try to adjust fuel or pump and moves the stove all around.
fuel efficiency was the deciding factor for me. dont get me wrong the optimus has some much needed upgrades over the msr but i really think that fuel efficiency would serve one better over all. the ability to clean the hose and the filter not clogging all the time is very nice as well, assuming its a larger micon filter the shake needle should take care of any issue that could arise. my decisions where based on primarily using gasoline.
It depends on what kind of wind you have. The Optimus centralized cone design works way better in windy mountain conditions, it follows a mountaineering application. The MSR will have better efficiency in low wind conditions. If you are melting snow in 25mph winds on the side of the mountain your Optimus will be faster.
Hello there. If You could ONLY have one stove between the Polaris and a Primus TI. Which one would You pick, and why? I very much appreciate and enjoy your videos.
![[TH] VCT Pacific Stage 2 - Playoffs Day 3 // DRX vs GEN | PRX vs TLN](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CWM1Q-2-o3M/mqdefault.jpg)
Very well done! Thank you for going into minute detail for us! It really helps. Thanks again!
I didn't know much about liquid fuel stoves. Thanks for the great comparison.
Thank you. That was a lot of work to produce. Very thorough and helpful.
Thank you! I just wish it would have been shorter. I wanted to share so much info!
Excellent tutorial as always - Many thanks for producing and kindly sharing the wisdom. Best wishes
Hello there. I’m a new subscriber man what a test. I watched the whole video. It was long but it was worth it. I went to my local REI and bought the MSR Whisperlite stove. I have been reading about it but spending over hundred bucks was holding me back. After your review I went and bought the stove with other accessories I spent $234.00 and didn’t phase me. Thank you for sharing the review. You sealed the deal
Excellent and fair review- Thank-you. I ended up retiring my Coleman multi fuel stove as I could not get parts. It served me well for 28 years. I went with the Optimus Polaris to replace that because of longevity possibility with the non-plastic construction and ease of use. Thanks for doing what you do to help folks make good decisions
Really like the test you did for comparison. I have had the MSR for over 20 years and bought the Optimus 5 years ago as a back up and to be able to quickly cook something with out having to prime and use a canister. You came up with the same results that I have experienced in the field. I carry both but love the quiet of the MSR.
Great video man. I was hoping to get the MSR stove, but it was out of stock everywhere. Your video was a lucky find. Thanks for the comparison.
Thank you for your videos after watching you do the review I decided to get the Optimus Polaris ! I like the fact that you can use different fuels and not have to change parts out . Hopefully more videos to come from you for Polaris
Thank you for such a wonderful great review.thanks alot mate.learn a lot from you.God bless
I got Optimus Polaris Optifuel wih the PolarDawg 3D printed silent cap. Absolutely great and lasts for ever.
I just ordered the silent burner cap. You do like it? Somewhat painfully expensive but damn the Polaris is insanely loud normally.
Dude, I have seen all your Whisperlite videos, and I simply LOVE how thorough you r doing these things. It is a real pleasure to watch. This is also gonna help a ton in choosing what MF burner to buy. Just thought I’d put some credit where credit is due. 🙏 Take care!
Thank you so much for the kind words and support that you give my channel.
that was one of the best reviews ive ever seen ... good drills .... msr for me as there are less things to go wrong... you called it right
Watched all of yours Coleman stoves videos last week, but after todays Live Video figured I will re-watch this video. Thanks again very good detailed review! and it comes from a guy, me, who has both of them too. I think you covered all the points . Those stows are the best. I have them for almost 5 years and use both of them at least twice a year, - no complains. I also remember asking at least 2 older fellows in two different stores when they'll go on sail, because i noticed that they are same price in each store all the time for the last year. They laughed at me and said: " i work here for the last 20 years - models change a bit but they always same price. Companies know about their qualities, - and if you know what you looking at you'll buy it"
Thanks for the videos - I was going to go with a dragonfly for the flame control but started to look at other companies as well - All the stoves with good flame control just seem to loud and to spend another $50-100 to silence them is a bit much. I just purchased the MSR WhisperliteUniversal since it's quite and if I need good flame control I can use the isobutane fuels - I also have an adaptor to attach to a propane canister that works with my other mini stoves so should work with the whisperlite and add one more possible fuel source. Keeping in mind this will also be used car camping - but will be available for some backpacking trips - Never thought I'd be so hard to decide on a stove! Thanks Jiu-Jitsu 2000!
Here I am watching water boil. Cool
Thank you!
😂😂😂🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Hot, actually
:3
Cool test and Video. Both great stoves. Cheers.
I am late to the party, but still wanted to say thanks. I have the Whisperlite, but just purchased a new (old stock) Optimus Nova+ and fired it up today. Whatever the last model was before discontinued. Same basic technology as the Omnifuel from the generator onwards. Anyhow, I was viewing to see if others have that unstable fluttering from the jet, and I have to say yes. Just how the jet is designed I guess, nothing unusual with mine. Unstable sounding, but also like a fighter jet engine or something. Different from the smooth hiss of the whisperlite I was used to. This video is very helpful for many reasons - excellent job.
great comparison, very informative and comprehensive! Now i`m relax and going with MSR. I agreed with your arguments about MSR. Thank you!
Nice review. Looks like both are good stoves. I have no direct experience with Optimus but have had to deal with MSR on a tent issue I was having. They were super responsive and solved my issue promptly by sending new stuff free of charge. At these prices, it is good to know what kind of CUSTOMER SUPPORT to expect if something does go wrong.... something as simple as email response time to a random question might be included as part of a review(?)
PS - I believe it would also be valuable to weigh the fuel bottles before and after to see how much fuel was burned in the process.
Great review! I just bought the Polaris after using my XGK for 20 plus years. Your reviews really helped with the decision. The final deciding factor for me was the fuel pump and ease of switch between gas and liquid without changing parts even if efficiency is compromised a little. My XGK still works great but I'm on the second fuel pump after the first one cracked.
Great decision. Thank you!!
@@jiujitsu2000does the Optimus pump work with the MSR or Primus, is there cross compatibility?
@@SP-ls8lw the Polaris pump will
@@jiujitsu2000 Sweet! Thanks for the quick response. Any specific difference you're aware of betweenthe Polaris or Nova pumps?
Looks like the Nova pump is more of a ball detent quick connect.
Great job. Thank You for sharing.
Thank you!
Wow Brotha I just finished your video comparison on the 2 stoves I'm impressed with the MSR performance was outstanding I liked the other stove I just can't believe how freaking LOUD I couldnt handle it that is crazy loud and to have to pay another 50 bucks just to quiet down the Polaris I don't like that part at all but I do like how you don't have to change anything for different fuels but yeah Great Review Sir Thank You for your Prayers God Bless!
+Plumpy E Thank you! I think you'll like the video I just released brotha! God bless you and your family
Thank you, a great review video! Maybe that would be an additional point, if before and after the test you would measure the weight of the fuel containers. From the difference before/after we could see how much fuel is used. That would be a really userful. :)
I have had an Optimus stove since back in the 70’s very reliable i can go get an put in my backpack an not have to worry about it not working
I can’t say anything about the MSR I never tried any of their products
Great video thanks for sharing
Thank you!
I’d probably be happy with either one. Great detailed comparison 😀👍
Thank you! They're both EXCELLENT!
Thank you so much for review !!
You got it! More to come!!
I'm regarding for multicombustible stove and I hesitate between Msr Universal and Omnilite TI... Your work help me a lot, but I didn't decide yet...
Thanks so much for your videos , I bought the msr last year, I should receive my new polarius tomorrow, I also bought the vega , the crux weekend he cookset, the msr pocket rocket deluxe . Both companies have great customer service, the only difference is optimus said they don't have a repair shop anymore but they can make sure we can get parts. Msr can inexpensively rebuild the stove and pump for about $30. I completely agree that you cant go wrong with either company and any of their stoves.
great video man
Great test. I already use Optimus Crux for ultralight backpacking and I am super satisfied with the quality of it. I also used MSR PocketRocket which I found a very simple and robust tool. I believe and I am trully confident that both presented stoves are super awesome but I would go with the optimus here. I look for a small car camping stove where weight is not an issue, noise I can survive. With a small kid on a camping I prefer to have one settings for all types of fuel, good support on the ground and possibility to acommodate different sizes of pots from small to large. As of the test itself - lots of details and useful information. Very professional.
Excellent stoves!
Only 1/4 through this video and already gained some useful insights, some of which I've confirmed over the years. My own experience, howevver, is only with older Primus and MSR stoves in 70's and 80's. The refinements in the newer stoves are great, however I find the increasing reliance upon plastic materials potentially disastrous in the long term. My old Primus has sprung a hose leak at the pump end and I'm going to repair it this spring. All of the hose fittings on stoves old and new are an Achilles heel. Watching a lot of stove videos i realize that every time a stove is used, the hose fittings get a lot of exercise, sometimes too much.
Nice and complete check of the 2 stoves! Well done, thanks!
It was a surprise to me that the msr had been faster at boiling because the technical data of the stoves tells that the polaris have a higher amount of power (4200W at gas) than the msr (2990W) in the data sheet!
In that way it tells me, the practical check you have done is very useful and neccessary!
I got the polaris causing the very robust standing but both stoves are nice ones
Excellent choice! Both are fabulous!! Blessings
Both have great features, ima go with what I know too. MSR! I do like the pump and valve on the Polaris...
Great comparison!
Been using Optimus myself for years (with a Trangia adapter). MSR seems to do better on performance, but I suspect that on the small kettles in the field, the difference would be negligible.
Exactly! And in the field, you cannot use the higher energy, without burning your pan or casserole. Only when boiling water in a steel pot, the higher energy could be useful.
"You give the shove a lil' stake" - the best line almost said ever in a review.
This is the hard hitting content I expect from JJ2K
People comment on the plastic pump on the msr vs the metal pump on the Polaris, but the plastic on the msr is pretty thick gauge plastic, I can’t see it failing. I want both but I went with the Polaris as my first multi fuel stove. Thanks for the in depth review. I also worry about losing that shaker jet tool.
Dang old 2k is not going to run out of stoves anytime soon I like the msr good test good video
Thank you! I gave my universal to my brotha Plumpy E
After watching the test I too would give the edge to MSR. The magnet test kind of worried me but not so much as not owning one. I do like the pump on the Optimus because it is not plastic other than that I believe you could not go wrong with either stove. Great video on the pro's and con's of each stove
I wonder if one reason the MSR boils faster is that the larger, broader flame transfers heat over a wider area, and hence more efficiently. A small, hot flame will show signs of localized boiling sooner, but the overall heat transfer with a broader flame is, in the end, more efficient. That would indicate the broader flame of the MSR has multiple advantages in the real world- not only for pancakes, but also in fuel use. If the MSR had a controllable flame like the Dragonfly, maybe it would be an overall winner.
I have both along with many others. A couple things I have noticed. The optimus fuel filter clogs more often for me. I prefer the optimus pump. It just seems tougher. Neither fold up great, but the Polaris seems a little better. I also have a primus multifuel which seems like another excellent choice. In the end I can say that MSR warranty and customer service are top notch. Parts are also pretty easy to find. I am bothered by the fact that MSR pumps only work on MSR fuel bottles where both of the others mentioned seem fine with any as long as threads match. Probably just made the choices tougher!
I adapted my MSR International to run all fuels including alcohol. Took a little doing but it works great on all the standard fuels for the International and butane/propane and alky changing jets and air mixture adjuster. What I don't like about my MSR is the pot support is too big. Japanese bikes with constant velocity Keihin or Mikuni carbs didn't need to change jets at altitude. The carbs compensated. When my cousins Harley was gasping in Colorado the '81 Gold Wing purred like a happy kitten.
WTF are you taking about 😮are you insane 😅
Thx 4 the very good comparison. I was sold on the no parts to change idea cuz I have lost parts quite a few times. But to Polaris obviously compromise on peak performance for no part changing feature. Also It cost a whole lot more, plus additional $$ to buy the quiet cap. It also does not come with any spare parts! Have to pay much $$$ just to get couple O-rings for the Polaris. In the end, while I like the no parts changing and its ability to control simmer while using white gas or gasoline fuel better than Whisper, I'll stick with my Whisper.
helpful.. would love to see a similar test between the omnilight and the polaris
The jet cleaner function shut it off because it occludes the gas flow. It is meant to be used when the stove is off. Great comparison!
Yup. It’s how cleaner needles work.
more often then not i modify my gear to meet my needs. it wouldn't be hard to braze, solder, weld, epoxy...bigger feet on the msr. as well as, modify the arms to hold smaller or larger pots or pans. its a tough choice. great video
Looks like the 2 pumps are able to run on either system so you can use the Optimus pump with the MSR stove since you like that pump better…just a thought…i just purchased both of these systems tonight looking to see what other things can be used from both systems, like jets maybe or whatever, might be able to swap things you like from one to the other and make your own personalized stove, what great fun… great testing.
Great video, OK I have the Optimus Polaris and 2 things I noticed with your video, on the fluid when you were doing the test I noticed the Optimus was fluctuating this is due to low pressure in the bottle, on the gas when you use it in gas mode it doesn't kick out much, but if you stop the gas coming through then turn it into winter mode then relight it, it actually gives much more power, I noticed the MSR did it automatically, and I think the Optimus Polaris if you switch it off then turn the canister over you'll see a massive power, I boiled 1ltr of water and took 2mins 34 seconds 👍 try it out and you'll see the difference from gas mode then switch it of then turn canister over a relight it, then watch the power kick out extremely more aggressive 👍 😀 great vid 👍
Thank you, Blessings from Arizona
This is a great benchtop review. I highly suggest people consider their type of outdoor activity before they buy a stove. Are you in low wind conditions? Are you at cold windy high elevation? Consider the burner design and efficiency with and without wind. If you are mountaineering in cold windy conditions you may find that the MSR is not the most effective stove.
I'm in Northern Arizona high desert. It's windy here. Thank you for the kind words and support 🙏
Thanks for the comparison. I’m going to buy the Polaris. Not changing bits is a great feature and it just seems to be overall more robust with the metal pump and chunky feet.
I certainly am going to add the Wisperlite to my wish list. The Polaris is $50 more expensive here in Canada. I prefer the pump construction given the showing in this video but its not worth the extra price. Love the versatility of fuels too great for survival or traveling where fuel sources are unknown.
Great comparison,looks like they are both good stoves
+so steve both are Outstanding!
I own a Optimus Nova+, and I’ve boiled corn on the cob fairly quickly. It’s a bad ass stove. Ten years of heavy use, and never had an issue with anything. Top of the line hands down.
Excellent review. We are now looking for a multifuel stove and very hard to decide between those two great products. Since 2018 when you made this video do you always prefer the MSR?
Now that is a side by side stove review, them babies do both crank it out on canister lquid mode for sure!
Thank you brotha! They love liquid mode!
It's hard to argue with the results, but I'd have to go with Optimus. Two reasons. If it's possible to loose fiddly bits? I'm your guy. One thing I really don't like about my whisper light is how stiff the line is going to the stove. When your limited for for flat spots like on rocks, it can be real bugger keeping the stove portion where you put it (at least for me). The Optimus appears to have a more flexible hose.
Thanks for the in-depth review👍
Great video to compare each stove, at the start up with both stoves, if you put fire paste under the generator to heat it up, your stove will not flame up
Cool bro.
Awsome head to head comparison 👌 Never own a MSR but I had an old Optimus 111 in it's blue casing. Yep, that was lightweight backpacking in the old days 😂😂😂 always perform great. I also have an old czechoslovakia army one similar to the Svea 123 , it's called the Meva 2140 no pump just pressurize by the heat and I Really like it. I'm looking to get something newer and I am a bit surprise by the price. I saw your video on the APG one but some other seems to had great results with even with oil lamp and that one is really budget friendly. I have look as you told for used one on eBay and in Canada They are just a bit below a new one without knowing if you will have to invest into spark parts. So maybe I will try the APG which seem to me very complete with even the fuel bottle.
I Really like your Channel and the way you conduct your test. I have one suggestion, can you make some fuel efficiency testing with those 2 stoves by weighting before and after the fuel use for boiling those 64 onces of water.
God I love camping Stoves. I had one Hell of a collection a few years back. Only kept The Optimus 535 I have two 535's
Great video
Thank you!
That Polaris sounds like an old cold war Migoyan jet...but it’s the one I went for, with a quietstove fitting
There is possibly a plus side to the noise of the Optimus. I haven’t used the MSR, but with the Optimus I can do other things around the camp and know that everything is ok with the burner. If there is a problem, I’ll hear it. With a few other options I’ve tried, I feel a constant need to check on the burner.
That said, I do find the noise annoying.
Great videos, man! These have been great for deciding which stove to get. Maybe you can answer a question I have been wondering about regarding the Optimus' fuel tube in the pump. I have read (in one review) that the fuel tube might not be bent enough away from the center so that end stays firm to the bottom of the bottle in ON-mode and to the top of the inside in OFF-mode. The problem then being that the OFF-mode doesn't really work if the bottle is above half full, and that the fuel tube is unable to reach all the fuel left when it's nearing empty. Yours seems more bent out than most I've seen in videos and in person. Have you ever experienced this problem yourself? I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the issue. Thanks!
You have ran a perfect comparison of the two stoves.. My personal opinion would go with Polaris because of not having to change jets. I go into deep snow and if I was to have to change in these conditions not only do I risk loosing them but also freezing your hands.
I have questions on this.... I have the optimus nova. Works perfect... No problems what so ever at minus 30 Celsius degrees in LAP LAND SWEDEN. BOTHE THE NOVA AND POLARIS BURN SAME FUEL EXCEPT THE POLARIS WILL USE CANISTER GAS. CAN YOU BUY AN ADAPTER HOSE LIKE THE ONE ON POLARIS THAT WILL WORK WITH THE NOVA.
Many Thanks for any info you provide..... Again a great video on the comparison. You did it the correct way.. Don't listen to some of the smart ?????
AIRBORNE
Thank you! Yes you can buy a Polaris hose and it DOES fit the NOVA,,, BUT... The nova won't burn canister fuels until you change the jet to do so...
I know, necro-post, but I have to comment... Found this video as I am thinking of consolidating to one stove to rule them all solution. I have an MSR XGK II Shaker Jet that I have had for +/- 25 years. I used it mostly for making Ramen while training in the Army. In those 25 years, I have rebuilt it once, I have run every possible kind of fuel through it, and it has never (not once) failed to function. I purchased a Nova + around 5 years ago. Both stoves were run with white fuel at that time and have sat since. They sat as I played with alcohol stoves, and canister stoves for awhile. Anywhoo... I went to fire them both up this past weekend and the MSR started right up, but the Nova + will not get fuel. The canister is pressurizing, and I removed the filter on the Nova to make sure it wasn't clogged, and fuel just does not get to the bowl. I've disassembled and cleaned every component. Not looking for advice on getting the Nova started, and I prefer the ergo of the Optimus, but in a limited sample, the MSR gives me much more confidence. In your experience is the MSR more reliable, or do I just have a lemon of an Optimus.
This is an excellent comment... The MSR stoves are fantastic and very easy to maintain in the field. I found that the optimus Polaris and optimus Nova have the same kind of reliability. I'm not a big fan of the Nova +... in fact, I sold mine.
I'm ordering the MSR tomorrow :), I just hope it is as good as you demonstrated.
Can you please do a video on camping pots ? :) thank-you
I'm obsessed with camping pots and I would recommend the Zebra stainless steel products, especially the 12cm or 14cm Billy cans or lunchboxes. I'm also a huge fan of Stanley's steel products. Inexpensive but smart and simple, rock solid and easy to find. I nest the Optimus Polaris and accessories (minus the fuel bottle) in the pot of a Stanley Two Bowl Cookset. Probably work well for the MSR too. These stoves have a fairly large packing footprint and I'm paranoid about them getting crushed and bent.
for the legs or feet, yes, the MSR would sink/turn on sand. that’s why I use the MSR Trillium stove base. the MSR Trillium stove base works on all MSR stoves I think for sand/snow use….
I had the optimus but chose to get the universal with a primus ergo pump and it’s nice and quite and it simmers awesome.
@hinhale8509 I’ve since gone back to the Optimus stove.
Operating a gas stove at too low a level is the very best way to clog/soot up the main jet. Shaking the stove may or may not clean it sufficiently. Just something to keep in mind. Thanks for the video.
Excellent comment, thank you
Somebody tried a test by swapping the fuel line from a Nova to a Polaris and vice versa, apparently the pulsing sound happens on the Polaris with either tube but doesn't on the Nova, the Nova was an older model. So I guess that the pulsing sound must be due to the generator design. I have found that the Polaris has less of a pulsing sound when you put slightly more pressure in the bottle. We also wondered whether the fuel line makes a difference as the aperture of the Polaris is less than a Whisperlite so this possibly makes a difference in respect of fuel feed and heat output, so increasing the bottle pressure a little will compensate for this. We wondered also whether the Lindal connection would impede fuel flow as it is designed originally for gas, and I questioned whether MSR had made the connection replaceable because of this. Apparently the narrower Polaris tube does have an impact on heat output when used with the Nova as I guess the tube must be narrower as I say. Also to end I have found a round old style MSR washer much better on the fuel bottle as the flat washer supplied leaked unless the pump was ridiculously tight, it is an Optimus bottle I have been using so theoretically should be ok.
Oh man. So starting the pots with the msr basically on medium and the Polaris pretty much off while you adjusted pots before turning them up was an advantage for msr. Great review of features snd good video overall
I'm buying the MSR.
Thanks!
wow great comparison thanks!! i have the polaris and i love the stove.. i know the msr make perfect stove too.. but at the end of the video you say if you close the polaris valve some fuel will stay in the hose.. but in the manual says the correct way to off the stove its turning the bottle to the off position with the valve open and that way all the fuel will be burn.. again thanks for the video!!
Thank you! True! flipping the fuel bottle to the "off" position takes all fuel out of the line.
Also if you turn the gas canister upright before turning the stove off it will clear the fuel line.
@@truthseeker104 no its not.
@@nikolajc7617 Expand? Not what?
@@truthseeker104 who talked about expand???
The major difference (and deciding factor) between whisperlite-style liquid fuel burners (wide, shallow/exposed, flame dispersing) and xgk/dragonfly/omnifuel-style liquid fuel burners (narrow, recessed, flame concentrating), is the ability to melt snow/boil water rapidly in very cold and/windy conditions. The latter burner style (omnifuel/xgk) will win every time, hands down. I know from experience, with 10 day winter expeditions in mountainous areas and in sub-zero temps, folks who used the xgk were melting snow and boiling water much faster and therefore conserving fuel. Whereas the folks using the standard whisperlite were taking much longer to melt snow and boil water given the adverse environmental conditions; to the point that their fuel reserves were running much lower. Low fuel bottle reservoir (big air headspace in the bottle) adversely affects whisperlites in a way that compounds the problem. You need to pump the bottle more to maintain enough pressure to keep a strong flame, which means the stove is consuming more fuel. It doesn't take much pressure to maintain a strong flame on xgk-style buners.
If you're not planning to take your stove on high altitude or subzero trips for extended periods, the whisperlite was preferred for price point, simplicity and cooking versatility. Since the advent of precision flame adjustability of the dragonfly/omnifuel style liquid fuel stoves, they have become the more versatile option since they'll perform well in all conditions (for melting snow, boiling water and cooking). The only downside is the noise.
Personally, I'd only use a liquid fuel stove that performs well for melting snow/boiling water/cooking everywhere in every condition and with every fuel, for extended trips with a group of people since liquid fuel stoves are bulky and heavy. If I'm traveling or cooking solo, in relatively mild conditions and/or shorter trips, I prefer a lightweight/small pocketrocket-style stove.
Excellent review! Extremely thorough and detailed. Would you ab able to do one comparing the MSR XGK EX to the Polaris? The MSR XGK EX is supposed to considered the benchmark of MF stoves and would love to see how the Polaris performs against it.
I would love to see that too 👍
Fuel effeciency has a flipside that worries me more than the fuel consumption: Carbon Monoxide emissions.
Fuel burning at a lack of oxygen means CO emissions, and I mostly use these things for burning kerosene, being at the heavier end of the spectrum. During winter, wehrn It *is* tempting to bring your stove inside the tent. I haven't done it yet, but have considered bringing one of these CO alarms to see how high it gets. And if you're that serious, fuel efficiency is a priority.
Plus, my wife likes a silent stove. So it's Whisperlite for me. I wonder ihow well it works to run the stove at low pressure for simmering, but I can always bring an alcohol stove for that. It's a good backup anyways.
Very good review, but i'm still not sure wich one to get..
Thanks a lot for this review 👍🏻
I like both stoves hehe.
Well, can you pls tell me where I can get the silent cap for the Polaris?
Greetings from Austria 😎
Nice review. I have also the polaris and only a whisperlite international.
WLI is 15 yrs old now and still working as before. Modified my WLI to run with canister gas by putting a valve on the end bit and also by using the Optimus pump and fuel bottle I can run liquid fuel with the functionality of the flip off system. Works like a charm.
Have you ever compared the boil time of the WLU and Polaris with your silent cap on it?
Thanks for solid head to head match of two great stoves but wondered if you used the polaris in the trangia 25 storm cooker? I already own the msr dragonfly, Simmerlite, pocket rocket deluxe and just bought the TRANGIA 25-23 Duossal with spirit burner. I can't remember you having any reviews of them. I'm hoping you know if the polaris would preform safety with legs collapsed in the Cooker like others have demonstrated? Might have to use less power as to not melt the AL Cooker but I'd rather not use the trangia Adaptor and have to remove the polaris's legs?
MSR sells a stand for the stove to make it more stable.
An additional confounding factor to head to head tests is that fuel canisters are not uniform, either between companies or within the same company. Even two canisters of the exact same brand will have variability due to a number of factors such as time of year/temperature when it was manufactured. As far as long term durability, my main concern honestly (over small differences in performance), when products are made as well as these it most likely will boil down to individual luck. Maybe a hyper-specific circumstance (a fall off a table at a specific angle) will make one fail and not the other and a different circumstance will do the opposite. Most likely, anything that will seriously trip up either stove would trip up any stove, like if you run it over with a car or lose it entirely. For what it's worth, I ordered a Polaris a few days ago :)
Fantastic video. I watched the entire thing. You were thorough and most importantly you were fair. I love the enthusiasm. Lol there aren't many significant others that would understand our interest in these things but I digress.
I went with the Optimus Polaris with the quiet cap. I'm thinking along the lines of I get to camp late, Its dark, I'm cold, I'm hungry. No need to waste time changing fuel jets, which in all likelihood is a job only one member in the group (you) will be able to do. No risk of losing a piece in the field, better stability, smaller pack size, better looks, ability to use smaller pots and what I find is better overall controls, features & build quality.
I love MSR, especially their guardian filter but in this case the only real advantage I see in the Whisperlite is the ability to clean the fuel line if it gums up. That's it. The boil times, I find are already negatable with only about 2 mins difference and only seconds apart when boiling smaller amounts. In my opinion the Optimus wins in simplicity and worse case scenario.
"honey, I broke my wrist on that fall back there & I need you to change the jet on the stove...."
Thank you! This is an old video and both are still running great! Easy to maintain
@@jiujitsu2000 4 years later & you've got yourself another subscriber. Thank you for your quality videos.
@@Alexonfire1 thank you, I loved your comment and I'm planning on doing some more stove videos in the future... I have over 1800 videos and there's lots of stuff to look at...
I like the wide flame of the MSR. And quiet..
Me too! The silent cap for the Polaris is VERY effective though! Both are great stoves in my opinion! Thank you!
I chose the whisperlite international with diesel jet over the Optimus nova. It’s a lighter go anywhere set up. Diesel and kerosene is available all over the world..... it’s never let me down.... great video 👍
Can’t the whisperlite universal burn diesel and kero with the right jet attachment though?
Great compassion! One question though, how does the optimus compare with the fuel filter in the pump?
I am the first to admit that I enjoy to modify things. Stoves included. So I have set up a whisperlite to run on alcohol*. So it is safe to say I know my way around a WL... I've hade MSR pumps crack in the plastic on me, and that is not serviceable in the field. On the other hand the rest of the MSR stove is easily field serviceable. Hence, this is what i would do: get the whisperlite universal, attach the canister fitting and use a Lindal B188-style pump such as the optimus pump. Best of both worlds really.
*Lots of disclaimers here, if you don't know what you are doing - do not attempt. O-rings and the MSR fuel bottles will deteriorate due to the chemical properties of alcohol. (Hit me up if you still are still interested :) )
How are u running alcohol through it
I found your review interesting but it was really long-winded with some repetition. However, it was comprehensive and appreciate the actual time and effort you put into its production.
The Optimus stove has been adopted by the Royal Marines when deployed to Norway, in the winter months, within the Arctic Circle. Being a former Royal Marine I was issued an Optimus stove that was very simple to use but noisy as well! It also was a single multi-fuel burning stove but not gas! This was is a time when they issued Brown Bess muskets, not like the personal weapons of today!!
Anyway from your review my money is on the Optimus as it is "Bootneck" proof!
Thank you for your service in former times.
I love your comment, thank you so much it's spot on... blessings from Arizona
@@jiujitsu2000 Roger Out!!!
Great comparison ! It' s a really hard decision which one i should buy. The close valve to the jet and the metal pump is a good reason for the optimus, but its so extremly loud. At the Other hand the massive pump and stove construction raises the wight of the complete system.
But can i leave the pump mounted in the tank or do i have to disassemble the pump to avoid damaging the pump when i use the stove in the morning, afternoon an evening.
Can the MSR turned of by flipping the fuel bottle and is the fuel pipe empty when disconnecting pipe from the bottle or does fuel coming out of the tube ?
Wow this was really good , well done and accurate .. Which stove would i choose ? Gawd that's tough , both have their strong points and maybe weak points if one could say that .. I have wrote to MSR about my Whisperlite in the 1980's as mine had a rubber composite fuel line and they said sent it to us and at no charge we will install an metal fuel so i did .. Over the years i have had questions and used the internet and i always got an answer back to my question.. My dealer carries MSR parts..Any company doesn't have to build mtn stoves for 100 years to get it right , look at Coleman for one .. Swedish quality has always been there except for the Crux model i see that says China huh.. But for features of push and shove , small but important features , large leg pods ( one feature i do not really like on my Simmerlite so i have to plan out where to place it) plus others and throttle valve attached to the stove body for instant fine adjustments , i do like that .. I'm not saying i'm too lazy to change jets as i do this as i own more MSR stoves than any other brand and have done this many times with my XGK not really any problem and i do the change at home in my shop... Optimus... would be my choice after watching this testing which is the best i have seen yet.. Well done ...
The liquid feed problem isn't actually an issue with the Optimus. Before turning it off just rotate the bottle so that the OFF is facing up, you then wait for a little and the valve being on top now pushes the rest of the fuel through and depressurizes the canister. Then, once there is no longer a flame, you're good to turn off the valve and know that there is no more fuel left in the line.
Generally MSR make more field maintainable stoves which is a big plus point. With the Polaris the fuel line is away from the heat so is probably unlikely to gum up unless you use thick dirty fuel of course!
I like both stoves. I was considering buying the MSR, but then I saw the Primus OnmiLite Titanium Multi Fuel.
that's an excellent stove as well!
@Indiana DIY so which one u prefer?
MSR Universal
OPTIMUS Polaris
Or PRIMUS Omnilite ti?
I'm still confuse to chose between them, please help lol
@@jlau2014 I bought Optimus Polaris after watching a few more videos. I really like the Optimus the best, I looked at the Primus but it has a leather piece in fuel pump that could fail. I considered MSR but Optimus features won me over.
In the end I bought the Optimus Polaris for reliability and ease of use features and cleaning of jet. I did buy a large 1.5 liter Primus fuel bottle and it fits Optimus Polaris fuel pump, but I haven't used that fuel bottle yet with fuel in it, I have two 1 liter Optimus fuel bottles and the .4 liter it comes with.
Oh and I'm only using Primus canister fuels and White gas in my Polaris. Primus fuels seem to be better I have a case of 450g I bought from Primus and I'm also buying a case of Primus winter canisters soon in 450g.
So tough for me to chose between them, maybe I should watch more video lol.
I like the size on Omnilite ti
Love how easy on Polaris with only 1jet can use all fuel and the pump but I just watch jiujitsu2000 video that he tried to run all kind of fuel on his whisperlite with only 1jet and result is good hmmm. Confusing 🤣
@Indiana DIY this is the video make me hard to chose lol
th-cam.com/video/fX3PqqoAsVI/w-d-xo.html
Wow great info review! ...I am in the market to get another stove and on the fence as to what to get....I have used regularly alcho stoves (Trangia / evernew) but like the looks of multi fuel stove on test here... also I am very interested in flame control as I like to actually cook /simmer and not just blast and boil!....cheers
I dunno I have a boilite and a coleman, I like both I can also see the appeal to these style too
I don't think either is clearly better then the other. Both are outstanding stoves that will serve the end user well. Personally I have run a MSR Whisperlite International for years and it has been a great stove. But Optimus has caught my interest I really want to get my hands on one.
i just did 37 day tour with the polaris great stove and il be taking it on my next tour of 150 days
what about a primus multi fuel stove?
@@chatteyj Either or in my opinion, both are great options.
Great Review, I assume that apart from the better quality of the Optimus pump as far as materials are concerned, it must also be heavier? I have the MSR pump with a Whisperlite International and also a Primus pump for an Express Spider stove and must admit that the Primus Pump is substantially heavier than the MSR. Also the MSR tends to put more air into the fuel bottle with each stroke so in that sense is easier to prepare. I am also wondering about the single Jet on the Polaris, is it just simply a jet, i.e. it hasn't been modified to work differently with different viscosities of fuel? I am not an engineer but was wondering if a jet could be designed to accommodate different fuels, just a thought?
What are your thoughts on the length and flexibility if the fuel lines? I have an older whisperlite and really dislike the short stiff fuel line, it is alway a pain. Try to adjust fuel or pump and moves the stove all around.
fuel efficiency was the deciding factor for me. dont get me wrong the optimus has some much needed upgrades over the msr but i really think that fuel efficiency would serve one better over all. the ability to clean the hose and the filter not clogging all the time is very nice as well, assuming its a larger micon filter the shake needle should take care of any issue that could arise. my decisions where based on primarily using gasoline.
It depends on what kind of wind you have. The Optimus centralized cone design works way better in windy mountain conditions, it follows a mountaineering application. The MSR will have better efficiency in low wind conditions. If you are melting snow in 25mph winds on the side of the mountain your Optimus will be faster.
Hello there. If You could ONLY have one stove between the Polaris and a Primus TI. Which one would You pick, and why? I very much appreciate and enjoy your videos.