When I first saw the Reactor stove, the thought that crossed my mind was, 'it's too heavy'. I remember not being that excited over it. I, like most everyone on this post, wanted MSR's new stove to be super light, super packable, have amazing pot supports, no maintenance issues, didn't use canisters, so on and so forth. I essentially didn't aline myself with the powers-that-be at Cascade Designs. This resulted in my disappointed reaction.

However, that has drastically changed. I'm convinced, having kicked the tires of most of the stoves currently on the market, that the Reactor is the best performing stove, 0°F and above, of any on the market. I've been at extreme altitudes (15,000+ ft. in Ecuador), extreme temperatures with extreme wind, very low fuel levels, super high winds, and the Reactor has not even flinched...

I know many avoid these types of conditions for good reason. That's ok. In fact, that is why MSR makes so many stoves because there isn't one that will fulfill everyones needs.

I was also like everyone else who didn't care about how fast my water boiled-- until I got the Reactor. Now, instead of trying to be patient waiting for my water to boil, I have water almost immediately and can then relax and enjoy the scenery/outdoors while I eat! It's so nice to be able to fill my stomach and relax than to wait endlessly, starving, while my water is laboring to boil. Because of this and many other reasons, I love my Reactor!

I know most of the folks on here who post have a very good grasp of what stoves are good in what conditions. I have no doubt that there are as many opinions as there are stoves. I also know that many feel that weight and packability are the two most important attributes of a stove because most of them perform similarly. I have since left that train and will take my Reactor while donning my 2lb pack, carry my 1.5lb sleeping bag, sleep on my new NeoAir Pad (14 oz), and stay in my MSR Carbon Reflex tent (2lb 12oz). The extra weight of the Reactor is totally worth it and I simply can't do without it. It has totally spoiled me... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />