Advantages
- Remote canister
- Canister can be inverted
- Windscreen
Disadvantages
- Separate canister stand
- Long boil time
- Fuel consumption
Notes
- Packed weight: 10.5 oz. (297 g)
I really dislike the separate stand. The separate stand just feels cheap! You attach it and detach it every time you use the stove. It is a non-folding, rigid three legged, space consuming "plastic" piece that you must also carry in addition to the stove. Being a non-metal item may make it weigh less, but it is a non-field-repairable point of failure for the stove. At least with a metal stand, you could straighten the item if it were crushed.
What makes the WindPro II better than a top mount canister stove such as is exemplified by the Optimus Crux? Two major items make the WindPro a better stove system.
First, the remote canister allows for the addition of a windscreen around the stove without heating the canister..
Second, the ability to invert the canister gives a wider range of temperature for operation. You still need a warm canister for stove ignition, but as soon as the stove is lit and hot, you can invert the canister. The pressure from the propane will force liquid contents of the canister through the fuel line and the stove then functions as a liquid fuel stove. Since very little conversion is occurring inside the fuel canister, the canister does not self-cool as quickly and you are not simply burning off the 20% propane. Note, you must have either a warm canister or enough propane in the canister to light the stove, or in liquid fuel stove terms, prime the stove. Keeping the canister inside you coat prior to using, or in the bottom of you sleeping bag during the night (if you are cooking breakfast) will to the trick.
In the inverted orientation, you will notice a lag between the time you turn off the stove, and until the stove actually goes out. This is similar to a regular liquid fuel stove. You will also notice some loss of flame simmer control.
Do I recommend this stove? No. I my opinion there is a better designed and a more efficient stove, both in terms of boil time and fuel consumption. I will discuss, in my opinion, a better stove next.
My use and testing show that the stove boils 2 cups (~500 ml) of water using a MSR Titan Kettle in 4 1/4 minutes using .4 oz. (10 g by weight) of fuel.
What makes the WindPro II better than a top mount canister stove such as is exemplified by the Optimus Crux? Two major items make the WindPro a better stove system.
First, the remote canister allows for the addition of a windscreen around the stove without heating the canister..
Second, the ability to invert the canister gives a wider range of temperature for operation. You still need a warm canister for stove ignition, but as soon as the stove is lit and hot, you can invert the canister. The pressure from the propane will force liquid contents of the canister through the fuel line and the stove then functions as a liquid fuel stove. Since very little conversion is occurring inside the fuel canister, the canister does not self-cool as quickly and you are not simply burning off the 20% propane. Note, you must have either a warm canister or enough propane in the canister to light the stove, or in liquid fuel stove terms, prime the stove. Keeping the canister inside you coat prior to using, or in the bottom of you sleeping bag during the night (if you are cooking breakfast) will to the trick.
In the inverted orientation, you will notice a lag between the time you turn off the stove, and until the stove actually goes out. This is similar to a regular liquid fuel stove. You will also notice some loss of flame simmer control.
Do I recommend this stove? No. I my opinion there is a better designed and a more efficient stove, both in terms of boil time and fuel consumption. I will discuss, in my opinion, a better stove next.
My use and testing show that the stove boils 2 cups (~500 ml) of water using a MSR Titan Kettle in 4 1/4 minutes using .4 oz. (10 g by weight) of fuel.
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