Optimus crux lite - with or without a heat exchanger?

[Onestepmore]

We'll soon need a new small upright canister type gas stove, and I am considering the Optimus Crux Lite with Terra Weekend pot set - anodised aluminium. It looks light neat and compact. I don't wish for a titanium pot
It'll just be for short trips of 1 - 3 days max, and my daughter may use it in Venturers activities. Her no-name one is likely to die soon, and it doesn't pack up neatly into a little pot, but is in a cumbersome square plastic box, with cooking container separately carried. Snow camping use unlikely, but sub zero temp use yes
Main use will be just boiling water for hot drinks and to reconstitute miso, noodles, pasta mixes etc - no serious gourmet camp cooking
(I have other stoves and pots better suited to that. Well, maybe not 'gourmet'!)

Just wondering wether to get the variation with the heat excahnger, or the plain based one. I know the increased risk of pot damage with the HE one if it's put on the heat dry
I have read the thread viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11422&hilit=heat+exchanger but still a bit confused regardng the application of the actual conclusion
Main attraction would be increased speed of boil? (walks not long enough for increased fuel efficiency?)

Link to stoves being considered
http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/optimus ... e/opt00035? - plain bottom
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Optimus-Crux ... 53f2b9ff06 - with frilly HE bottom (sounds like those girl babies' cloth nappy protectors no-one uses anymore)

Stove gurus' opinions appreciated

[Picaro]

Hardly a guru, but I have recently got the HE pot and paired it with a Fire Maple 117T. I was quite impressed with the speed of the thing, although I can't say about sub zero performance.
The only negative I've noticed is that the HE feels abrasive getting the pot back in the bag, maybe it'll eventually wear out the bag......hardly a big problem. The 117T fits easily inside under the gas.

[frenchy_84]

Well the big difference isn't the heat exchanger but the size difference of the pots. The crux lite with solo pot set(non heat exchange) is 600ml with lid. The crux with weekend pot set (heat exchanger) is 900ml plus lid. I have a crux with weekend kit which I like, I wouldn't buy the solo kit as a 600ml pot is to small for more than one person.

[Strider]

You probably know this already, but the Crux Lite doesn't fold up like the Crux. Meaning it is a bit less compact - presuming that is a main criteria?

When I was in this situation I went with the FireMaple FMS-116T. But these days I would take the FMS-118 for the inverted canister ability, despite the small weight penalty.

[Onestepmore]

Thanks, I hadn't noticed I was comparing two different sized pots, I was blinkered looking at their bottoms
Still - back to the question - HE or non-HE? (for similar sized pot)

[Strider]

I was blinkered looking at their bottoms

I know the feeling...

[Picaro]

My opinion....get the HE. Its the same device as the Flux Ring which is a main contributor to Jetboils popularity. And they are shown to make a difference timewise.

But....personally, I don't like the burners that screw directly on top of the gas, and then you balance the pot on top of that. Makes me shudder...just seems unstable to me.
I would go another $20,and another 100gm to get the Weekender HE from WildEarth and pair it with a Fire Maple http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fire-maple-Cooking-stove-camping-stove-146g-2990W-FMS-118-/200871526225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec4e03f51&_uhb=1#ht_2926wt_1037
It sits neatly in its little bag at the bottom of the pot with the gas canister above it. Thats the way I'd go anyhow.

[Ent]

Hi

I have both pot sets and the foldable and standard Crux. I like heat exchanger pots mainly for speed rather than saving gas. As mentioned the heat exchange is rather rough so some care in packing while the standard set is quite rounded. Both pots have enough space for either of the Crux units. You can look at maybe half to one third boil times with the heat exchanger plus it moderates the heat spread a little better so less burnt food.

The best solution to stabilising the system is getting hold of a folding canister stand. Jetboil come with one as standard and Primus sell one. I got my Primus one from the USA as locally in the shops I felt like I was asking for a skyhook.

Sit on top stoves work well five degrees and above plus give the ability to use the stove on heat sensitive surfaces. For colder weather and great stability, I use a Primus Gravity but that and matching pot set is quite large by comparison. The coating on the Optimus pot set appears ok and vastly better than the not stick junk MSR sells on their pots.

Cheers

[corvus]

G'day to match up with their FMS118 have a look at the FMC-XK6 HE pot it is a nice bit of kit well made on ebay for around $29.00.
corvus

[Onestepmore]

But....personally, I don't like the burners that screw directly on top of the gas, and then you balance the pot on top of that. Makes me shudder...just seems unstable to me.

The FM stove sounds like excellent advice. Especially as it's still very compact and will still fit in the pot. It will be more stable for a teenager to use - less likey to get knocked over. I guess I had just been thinking along the lines of something similar to what she has already. (I have a Primus Omnilite Ti for when I start doing longer walks, and pots that allow a bit more 'cooking', and hubby and I currently use a jetboil flash for day/overnighter walks. It utilizes a base support stand but does to seem to be a bit top heavy)
The FM HE pot may be the way to go - cheaper and the band on the bottom may protect the baffles a bit from knocks? I like the saucepan lid on the Optimus Weekender HE better though, good for just an egg.
Thanks for the tips and the links

[corvus]

The idea of a small fry pan is good however I have found that they tend to be a bit on the thin side and your fried egg will burn on the bottom b4 it is fully cooked,can poach if you are adept in the cooking department which some Venturers I have spent time with do not have the patience for
corvus

[Onestepmore]

some Venturers I have spent time with do not have the patience for
corvus

What teenage Vneturer has patience for anything?
FM stove and Optimus Weekender HE it is!
Will she appreciate it?
NO!

PS she can actually cook really good poached eggs at home

PS 11 yr old son came home this morning from 2 weeks' Jamboree in Qld. Cream zip off's so dirty they could almost stand up unaided. Watershoes in bin somewhere as they disintegrated. 20 named pegs didn't make it home. Thongs gone. All money spent. Badges unswapped. Never again will I send white socks. Hair blue. Volleys grey. Ears full of dirt - even after a shower here at home. Rinsed and re rinsed stuff - brown water tipped on the parched garden - before daring to inflict torture on the washing machine
Daughter announces she'd really like to go to International Jamboree in 2015 in JAPAN!

[corvus]

Looks like a wonderful time was had by all
corvus