Winter stoves – Optimus Vega vs. MSR WindPro?

I’ve been using a Wind Pro for over 10 years — for winter trips only. No issues at all. The Optimus Vega looks similar.

Specs for max pot diameter for the Vega is 5.9 inches versus 10 inches for the Wind Pro. When melting snow, you probably want a large pot. Both of my 2 liter titanium pots are around 6.3 inches. The Vega is about 20% cheaper.

I bought the vega. It was not stable, it was tippy. In other words, the fuel line put a force on the stove that would cause it to tip/flip when the weight of the pot was removed. So, we’d take to pot off of the stove to pour some boiling water into our food, and the stove would lift off of the ground, and tip. I tired making a base for the stove, to stabilize it, with mediocre results

So, we bought a  wind pro II. MUCH better. Sold the Vega.

npthing was The Qind Pro 2 is m,uch better.

The brass neck is a weak point on the Vega, mine broke for no reason while in use.

OMG, spelling and typo atrociities!

What I meant to write is:

“I tried making a base for the stove, to stabilize it, with mediocre results”

And as for the last sentence in my post (above): I have no idea what I was trying to write!

Hey many thanks, Nick, Paul, and James!  Definitely useful information.  I also read that the vega has a tendency to leak fuel.  I’ll go with the Wind Pro this winter.  This is an awesome community for sharing information – thanks again.    -Daniel

I have both stoves as well and agree with Paul S.  In addition, The Windpro II is not as loud.

In the winter when I’ve needed to melt snow I’ve used it with this:

https://www.msrgear.com/stoves/stove-accessories/trillium-stove-base/11810.html

It works pretty well on top of snow.

Thanks, Rob.  Has anyone used the WindPro as cold as 0 degrees F?  I’m wondering what the minimum temperature is that these stoves can operate.  Thx

Oh sure. You just need to know how to prime one. Metho kept warm is the secret there.
The vaporiser (or pre-heat) tube over the top will get to 300 C or more, which is quite enough.

Cheers

I only have experience with the Optimus Vega.  I used it down to -2 F this past weekend and it performed without difficulty.  I heated 1L of cold water in approximately 4-5 minutes using the included windshield.  My experience supports other comments that the fuel line is awkward and tends to make the stove less stable and flip.  It takes fiddling to set up on a flat surface.  I did not experience any fuel leaks or damage, but I’ve only used the stove 5 or 6 times.  I believe that if I were to purchase a new stove, I’d opt for the MSR Windpro II based on other reviews and comments.

I have the Vega and, as others have noted, it is tippy. The one thing I do like about it is the cartridge attachment has the inverted canister  stand built into it, whereas the the Wind Pro has a separate attachment. I don’t understand why all companies that produce stoves that support inverted canisters don’t do it like Optimus does.

I have the Vega and, as others have noted, it is tippy. The one thing I do like about it is the cartridge attachment has the inverted canister  stand built into it, whereas the the Wind Pro has a separate attachment. I don’t understand why all companies that produce stoves that support inverted canisters don’t do it like Optimus does.

The first iteration of the WindPro didn’t have a stand and the hose was shorter making it hard to invert the canister. MSR didn’t think this out. The WindPro II (current model) has a longer hose and the stand. Optimus might have a patent on their stand, and if so, no one elese can use it for something like 17 years

I have MSR Whisperlite Universal that can go from canister to inverted canister (cold weather to 10F.), to white gas to kerosene/diesel.

For a few extra bucks this stove is well worth for its versatility. I really like mine in both canister nd white gas in winter but haven’t used it with kerosene. BTW, I made a base of aluminum engine paint coated 3/16″ plywood. I used part of door aluminum screen holders  bolted on so they swivel and hold my Whisperlite stove legs. Little weight and helps stabilize the stove far better than a heavy MSR aluminum foil base.

pmags’s dirtbagger winter stove platform

https://pmags.com/dirt-bagger-winter-stove-platform

pmmag’s foil surround looks like the foil from an old MSR white gas stove

white gas stoves work good in cold temps.  The temp doesn’t have to be above the boiling temperature like a canister stove, because you pump air to pressurize the tank instead of relying on evaporation of the fuel to pressurize the tank like a canister stove.  I suppose it has to be above the melting temp which is like -100F

Just a thought but OPTIMUS is a Swedish company, you know,Sweden, where things are expensive as he!!. That being so and the Vega being “20% cheaper” I’d bet it is made in China or other low wage nation.

For sure MSR is “Made in USA”. jus’ sayin’…

My understanding is that the MSR stoves may be assembled in USA, while using imported components. There is a difference.

Cheers