Since I am going through another stove phase , I thought of posting about this one : http://www.biolitestove.com/Full_Demonstration.html A bit like a combination of the Sierra and the Bushbuddy , the main advantage (I think...) is that it generates its own power for the fan (no batteries) and it can generate extra power to charge portable devices such as a mobile phone/GPS/head lamp... Not out yet but it doe bring high tech to the world of portable wood burning stove. Franco Warning : large video file. There is a shorter version or you can just read some of the specs.. http://www.biolitestove.com/CampStove.html
Looks heavy and large, with no real advantage over the Bush Buddy (on the cooking side, at least). It seems to me that any situation where the weight and size are not an issue, neither is fuel.
I also question if it'll ever make it to market. For a product that should be "in stores Spring of 2011", they are still showing pictures of their prototype from several years ago.
Interesting product but I personally think there is just to much technology on the trail these days. There was a day when we didn't need/want batteries. However, there has been some advances made in thermo electric generation that will eventually be light enough to be applied to our simple/better stoves.
The camper stove featured in the video looks to me to be a finished commercial grade product, not a prototype. so maybe it isn't that far from release, just waiting for some retail lines to be established (?). Franco
I saw the Biolite stove web site about 2 years ago, and they had the same "prototype" with the same two videos. In fact, other than the "news" section of their web site, nothing has changed in the past 2 years-- even the "copyright 2009" that's on the bottom of most pages. Now maybe Franco is correct, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
What is clear from there web page is that the larger, non-backpacking stoves are really cool and are making a difference in third world countries-- and I applaud them for that!
I suspect that the problem with the Camper is lack of demand. After all as nice as the Bushbuddy is, and with all the free enthusiastic publicity it has had, Fritz makes all of them himself at home ( one by one...). A product like the BioLite would need to be stocked by REI to get the volume needed (just some thoughts...) Franco
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