Optimus Terra HE cookset

Just had to use some points to get this, when I read the description:

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/pr...08_10000001_-1_

The part about "heat exchanger" got me going. It arrived today and, sure enough, attached to the bottom of the anodized aluminum 1-liter pot is a Jetboil-style finned heat exchanger. The Crux stove has fold-out arms; the heat exchanger rests solidy on them. However, if you don't fold out the arms, the burner nestles right up into the heat exchanger - again, just like the Jetboil. It's about a quarter to half pound lighter than the Jetboil setup, but doesn't have the neoprene sleeve (I'm thinking that's irrelevant if you boil-in-bag); the "saucepan" lid (it's too deep to really call it a fry pan) also functions as a handy bowl, bigger than the one with the Jetboil (looks right for a couple packs of oatmeal or a nice serving of soup.) Would probably make a nice coffee cup, too. The pot has easily-read measuring marks stamped into it. I coupled it with a Sea-to-Summit Alpha Light spoon, which stows nicely in the stuff sack the pot comes with.

Haven't lit it yet, but I'm anxious to try it out; if anyone's interested, I'll let you know how it works out. There's also
a .6L Terra pot available if you want to knock another 2 or 3 ounces off, but I can't see any mention of a heat-exchanger version of it.

Huh. Looks identical to the Primus Eta Express, except different burner and no windscreen. Will be interested in hearing how well it works.

Cheers,

I have this exact cook set up from Optimus but last years version. I wish I would have known about the new heat exchanger option thats probably gonna be nice. Wind effects the crux pretty bad so an exchanger would make that transfer more efficient. But the crux IS a good stove with great heat control and no hotspots that I have found.

The way I have it is a great set up though. Boils fast in the pot and fry's a nice egg and a piece of toast in the pan/lid. All in all good set up. Wrap a bandana around the pot and you can have some tea in there too!

I've got last year's (or two years' ago?) pot, too; it works great with my Svea stove (we won't discuss how long I've had that.) I use that setup for winter camping, sometimes.

Currently, my default stove is a Jetboil PCS - it's not the lightest, but it sure is convenient for my style of cooking. I'm hoping the Optimus, at lighter weight, might prove equally functional; if so, it may be the final piece of a lighter-weight option to my gear that will save about 3 pounds (a lighter pack, a lighter tent, short sleeping pad with an inflatable seat cushion/pad extender and no chair) - but the lighter stuff will have to function at least as well as the stuff it replaces. (And I'm not carrying that heavy a load now - about 17 pounds before food, fuel, water, or winter clothes; 27 pounds with 4 days' worth of that stuff.)

I have a Brunton Flex (like the Crux & made by Oprimus but with 4 pot supports & a tighter collar for folding). I use it with my 1 L. JetBoil pot but would like the .6 L. Optimus "Weekender" pot & lid IF it had the Optimus heat exchanger. The lid looks like a perfect pancake skillet - and I do love my hotcakes on cool mornings. Even bought a sexy little folding spatula for that purpose.

I have a spare JB neoprene cozy that I could cut & sew to fit the Weekender pot. Might help. I'd have to remove it for using a CC Inferno wood burner but that's easy.

With an MSR windscreen & JB heat exchanger pot it works very well for cooking (such as spaghetti, etc., as opposed to mere boiling) and does not use much fuel.

So now I see that the Swiss Katadyn company bought out Oprimus. Verrrry interesting.

Eric

Just got a Soto but haven't tried it out yet.

Just looking at the larger flame area of the Soto burner makes me suspect that it will use fuel faster than an Oprimus Crux/Brunton Flex burner.

Eric