second stove purchase …. opinions wanted

Get a Snow Peak GST-100 (no igniter). The starter pot kit is not the most efficient. Get something like a MSR Titan pot is you are just boiling water. Aluminum if you cook. With this system you will have a tried and true UL cook set, efficient an low emissions.

I'm fine with Ti as this will be a boil only setup. I'm intrigued by the starter kit as I like the nesting design of 1 100g canister with stove inside, and the second nesting on top inside the stuff sack. Considering the price ~70-84.00 it's cheaper than picking up the stove at around 40-50 and the titan kettle for ~60.

I already have the dualist in aluminum and if i'm planning to cook, prefer the larger capacity and feel it will be a much more likely i will actually cook when not by myself.

Price does matter as I have other gear items on my "wish list"

I just want to stick with the starter kit vs jetboil. I'm not trying to insult or not appreciate input. But just stating my stance to keep on an option a vs b

Thank you.

Well, after this http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=65172 thread, I'd say go with anything but Jetboil.

What Nick wrote:
> Snow Peak GST-100 (no igniter)
> MSR Titan pot

Cheers

I started with one of the older Jetboil PCS setups which I love, but I found it a little overkill for one person cooking water. I since have moved to my own version of their starter kit using an SP700 with a Jetboil lid (holds everything nicely together and I can sip coffee through it). Inside I have the Jetboil stand (orange 3-legged fuel stand), a Jetboil 100g fuel in the Snowpeak 700 mesh sack (keeps it from rattling around) and then a Primus Ti Micron 2.5 stove in it's little sack. I found the Primus to have the closest direct flame like the Jetboil's for the smaller profile of the SP700. I also added some silicone tubing (aquarium air hose) to the SP700 handles. Comes in about 7-8 ounces lighter (with fuel) than the Jetboil setup and takes up less pack volume (same diameter, about 2/3 the height of the JB).

Based on my experiences, your intended use and your choices I would say go with the Snowpeak.

The JB's are only good for boiling water, cooking is frustrating with that tall pot.
Duane

If you learn to Freezer Bag cook and you are impatient, then the JetBoil Sol Al would serve you well. The smaller cup is just right for a solo user and it is the fastest water boiler I have ever used.

The JB also has a pot stand/burner support so that you can use regular cookware if desired. And the JB regulates the flame very well.

Since you already have an excellent winter stove, a canister setup would be great.

Personally, I am an alcohol stove addict. I either use a WhiteBox or a Trangia burner setup – depends on the weather. But I do like the JetBoil Sol that I gave to my son for his birthday.

Canisters are very quick, but I have always disliked having to worry about fuel. I have used alcohol stoves in the past, but I received a Bushbuddy Ultra for this past Christmas. It is one of my favorite pieces of gear. I don't have to worry about fuel, and it is enjoyable to use. It will leave soot on your pot.

Some thread drift here, as the OP asked for comparison between two canister stove systems. One very good reason for avoiding alcohol, esbit and wood burning stoves in the immediate term is the fire danger. A statewide fire ban was implemented last week, although many counties in Colorado have more stringent restrictions. I am heading to Indian Peaks Wilderness later this week, and was informed that the only stoves allowed are those with shutoff valves.

Between Snow Peak and Jetboil, I'd go with the former. More compact, lighter, and doesn't have the customer service challenges that the latter company has been demonstrating with the Ti system problems reported recently. Plus, you aren't locked in to a single system if you go with Snow Peak – you can use the stove with your GSI set.

Andrew – How long is your typical trip? The jetboil Sol aluminum can be a very weight efficient option if your trips are long enough, but for 2-3 day trips it will be heavier, since with either the Jetboil or a snow peak (which I agree is the way to go for a non heat-exchanger stove) you will be carrying a 100g fuel canister. For longer trips where you might be carrying more than one canister, or where you might be able to get away with smaller canister on the JB than with the SP, the story might be different.

Personally, though, the way I would look at it is this: they are so close in weight that other things are the deciding factor. If you like the JB's convenience and you are only boiling water, get it. If you want to be able to use a variety of pots for different trips, get the SP. If money is tight, get the SP and an Open country aluminum pot (frankly, even if money is not tight I'd get the aluminum pot over the Ti, since there's almost no weight difference anyway).

Just don't get the Jetboil Sol Ti – too many issues with that pot and its fins.