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Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:07 am
by WolfSpring
So those of you intersted in buying a backpacking/survival stove, I have used both of these stoves in various situations. Right now I am training in the cold -10 - +25F at 10,000 FT. I was told the JetBoil sucks at this alititude but it performs just fine. I've only used it at about 12F though. It is amazing as the cup is connected to the burner and easy to use, it has a pezo self lighting mechanism. It doesn't like the wind much and you can turn it on full or you will kill the flame. It melts snow to boil in about 3-5 mins depending on the amount and temp. It boils water in about 90 seconds. It is great for the $120 US I paid for it. It has an adapter to use a normal pan as well that came with my kit. Hands down this is a great lightweight stove.

The whisperlight which I actually prefer in a survival situation due to the fact it can take multiple fuel sources to include unleaded, diesel, white gas, kerosine and others but will get dirty and need cleaning. It's down side is no self lighter and you have to prime it for about 2 mins to get it working, in which time the jetboil could have the water boiling already, but it is rated to work at any altitude. THis one cost me $90 US for the international version.

I'm in the field right now so this isn't really a review, more of my personal experience with the two of them. When I get home I'll do some pictures and whatnot to make it more of a review. Either way these two stoves are ahead of the pack on everyones lists and I believe them to be equals depending on the need.

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:37 pm
by Riyame
Another interesting option that you might be interested in is this: http://biolitestove.com/CampStove.html

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:16 pm
by WolfSpring
OMG that thing is awesome, can't wait for it to come out!

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:11 am
by LocksmithArmy
just a heads up... got my biolite a few weeks ago (preordered it)... I have not had the chance to cook with it yet but it seems to create electricity fine ;) and fits in a backpack with LOTS of room to spare ;)

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:08 pm
by Riyame
Thanks for the update LSA. I had forgotten about this thread and was actually looking for the link to that stove :P

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 2:14 pm
by Warder
I've tried many different systems.
If you have the space, my personal favorite is the classic green Coleman 2-burner stove. It has kept me warm for days in the belly of a 24ft Canoe in the arctic, runs on many different fuels(Jerry Cans), has a replaceable generator, works continually for hours, has interior storage space, is reliable in all environments(wind/snow guard), optional stove attachment. and you can easily light a smoke off it. :)

Unfortunately, No longer made in N.A. ......

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 5:52 pm
by gibson
man, does this thread take me back! my favorite stove was the old optimus 111b, thing was built like an Abrams, and weighed about the same (about three pounds. no windscreen,no assembly, just flip it open and light. you'd be drinking swiss miss bu the time your buddy gjot his msr assembled and lit. but if i had to heat water in a hurry (like someone was going into hypothermia), the msr would be my first choice. if overseas travel was a possibility, the multi=fuel option with a spare parts pack would be the ticket. thing burns everything but yak dung. i've heard conflicting stories about how compressed gas stoves work at altitude/cold. going higher should increase performance because of increased pressure in the canister. i don't know if the jet-boil folks offer a special fuel for high altitude/cold, but it might be worth checking out.

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:47 pm
by Ragnar
I might be pretty lousy with a pick (that's why I'm here), but I work in the outdoor industry & know my stoves. It's funny that of all my stoves/cooking systems, the one I use most is my Pocket Rocket. It's not the most eloquent solution, but it works (not at altitude), takes a beating, and is lightweight. Don't get me wrong, the Whisperlite International is a classic design that has some huge merits & the Jetboil is a thing of beauty in very specific circumstances, but my default stove is still a $40 Pocket Rocket.

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:05 am
by gibson
Ragnar - same as Ragnar's Ragweed Forge and Scandanavian knives?

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:36 pm
by Ragnar
gibson wrote:Ragnar - same as Ragnar's Ragweed Forge and Scandanavian knives?

Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not nearly cool enough to have a forge or manufacture knives. Just enjoy the name.

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 1:00 pm
by rai
so, not related to the guy who used to sail up the seine to rob paris in the summer?

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 1:29 pm
by verz
I have had problems with the MSR Whisper light poor operation until finally it was just a worthless huge orange flame.

Personally I like the Colman multi fuel stoves they cheap and dependable. The detachable tank lines usually wear out after a while same with all stoves with detachable tanks. I like having the option of using multi fuel, many times I have just filled up .25 of unleaded gas as I head out to the woods.

I have used them a lot at high altitudes they can be a little weak compared to some of the "mountaineering" stoves, I just make sure to have clean gas/white gas and keep pumping the stove up to maintain a good pressure.

Re: Backpack Stoves JetBoil Vs. MSR Whisper light

PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:53 pm
by easy-e
Riyame wrote:Another interesting option that you might be interested in is this: http://biolitestove.com/CampStove.html

Wow, that is really cool! 2 watts of continuous charging power could even run a tablet.