UKC

OK. They're both multi-fuel and they're both good. The nova is cheaper, but the dragonfly is eveywhere.

I'm tempted to go for the nova, because objectively it looks stronger and easier (no jets to change). Does anyone have any experience with both? Will they both work at altitude (up to 6,000m) and in extreme cold and pissing rain?

I've done a forums and the only person who seems to have a nova is MJH!!! Anyone else have a view on this???

In reply to Rich2002: This will be of limited help, but FWIW, I bought a Nova recently, after doing the usual research, I looked at Primus, MSR and Optimus stoves.

I have used it only about five days, in cool temperatures (around 0) not higher than 2000 m, and with white gas (coleman fuel). It has performed flawlessly. It's really easy to use, clean, well designed, easy to carry (it folds neatly), powerful and can simmer really well. Of course, my experience with it is very limited, but all the reviews I found were excellent (Outside's and Backpacker's "best" choice, for example), and the stove "feels" right, if that makes sense (well made, simple, maintainable, etc). The ability of purging the pressure from the bottle and clearing the fuel line at the same time by turning the bottle upside down is a bonus (no spillage, clean jet). It is also quiet.


I cannot comment on the Dragonfly because I haven't used one. I know some people love it, others don't (frequent clogging); also the MSR pump is made of plastic, the Optimus is metal.

I was reluctant to buy a liquid fuel stove, I have always used gas and like the convenience (however, I was fed up of hunting for gas cartridges abroad) but I am pleased with my choice (and that is quite unusual!)

Hope this helps

In reply to Rich2002:

I've got the dragonfly. It's major downside is it's really noisy. It sounds like a small plane. I find it a bit embarrasing at campsites. My boyfriend has one too. His broke (a small seal went in the pump. I'm sure parts are easy to get) but appart from that they've both been fine. We always run them on petrol as it's the easiest fuel to get hold of, they just need a clean every now and then. Maybe they burn quieter on other fuels. They heat things up incredibly quickly and being controlable means you can cook properly. They're super light and easy to use. What more can I say ? !!

In reply to Rich2002:

I've got a dragonfly. Never had any clogging probs with it (using Coleman gas). You should get a little bag of replacment seals with it in case something goes. It IS noisy, but that's the trade-off for rapid heating. Never used it in extreme cold but it sounds like a jet engine so imagine it'd melt snow pretty quick.

Downside is that although it's small it's a pretty awkward shape on account of the sticky-out bit you attach the gas bottle to.

In reply to Susan:

I bought a Nova six months ago for a sea kayaking trip. The friends we went with used a Dragonfly, so got a fairly good comparison of the two side by side. The NOva IS a very nice stove, but unsuprisingly has pros and cons compared with the Dragonfly IMHO:

Pros :
1. Runs happily of kerosene (very cheap) - ran it for two weeks + when I came to clean it after the trip the jet + integrated cleaning needle were spotless. The D'fly was definitely prone to blockage, even when run on Coleman fuel.

2. More compact design than the D'fly.
3. A bit cheaper + get a fuel bottle with it.
4. Quiet. Though I dont think the Dragonfly is excessive, personally.
5. Metal pump feels more robust than the MSR one : My mate reckoned he'd seen quite a few problems with the MSR plastic pumps (breakage) on a kayaking trip in Canada a couple of years ago. I dont know if the design has changed since then tho'.

Cons :
1. Regardless of what fuel is used, it is def less powerful than the D'fly: Boil times are quite a bit slower.
2. Doesn't come with a windshield (However, Optimus specifically state that one should NOT be used).


NOt sure I would bother with a multifuel stove on a climbing trip - Far too much hassle c.f. a gas stove (assuming cartridges are available), unless of course altitiude is going to scupper your chances of using a gas stove...

I'm sure there are more, but I cant think of any. Hope this helps....

In reply to Rich2002:

Just to complicate matters you can get a modified nova burner which fits Trangia cookers. I've used it with Coleman fuel and it seems fantastic: quick boiling, no clogging, good simmmer control, packs away inside the pot. It cost £100 from www.base-camp.co.uk/trangia.htm complete with fuel bottle. Not had a chance to use it in extreme cold or at altitude yet.

In reply to Rich2002: I used to use a dragonfly until the burner cup broke off leaving me on cold rations for the weekend. I switched to the Primus Himalaya Omnifuel and i find it a lot more robust.