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hikin_jim
251
Dec 22, 2017
Nice to see the Hydra available again. The Hydra is an innovative approach to one of the quietest stoves of its type. I wouldn't call it super light, but if you need the dual fuel (white gas, canister gas) capability, it's worth a look. It's also by far one of the most compact stoves of its class.
One of the things that seems to be true about stoves is that the quieter they are the more you have to protect them from wind. The Hydra is no exception. One needs to use a windscreen that extends no less than 75% up the sides of the pot. In other words, the height of the windscreen, at a minimum, has to be equal to the height of the stove + three quarters of the height of the pot. And that's minimum. More coverage is better, up to the top of the pot.
I have reviewed this stove if anyone were interested: https://sectionhiker.com/the-kovea-hydra-backpacking-stove/
HJ
PaigeD
522
Dec 24, 2017
hikin_jimThanks for sharing!
justg
2
Dec 24, 2017
hikin_jimJim, thanks for all the reviews you do! Excellent reading.
Question: I'm in the market for a family/group size (i.e. Boy Scouts) stove, and like having options (canister or WG). I was about to buy an MSR Whisperlite Universal, but then I saw this drop.. of course that led to more web surfing, and the list grew to include the Primus OmniLite TI and possibly the new JetBoil MilleJoule. Any quick advice here?
hikin_jimThanks Jim for sharing. I loved reading your blog since 2011.
Jim, have you try this stove to burns alcohol as fuel?
*These are some videos about MSR Whisperlite, MSR Dragonfly, and Primus Omnilite Ti burns alcohol, with nozzle modification drilled to 1/32" : ( I'm technically not able to paste the Youtube's URL here, but you can search on Youtube: "Multifuel Stoves burns Alcohol as Fuel" )
hikin_jim
251
Dec 26, 2017
fattahrazzaqghanimughniI have not tried to burn alcohol in this stove. I generally will only try fuels recommended by the manufacturer in a stove. There is an issue of safety. Some materials (gaskets and such) can be degraded by alcohol. Degradation could result in a catastrophic stove failure and a visit to the Emergency Room -- or worse. One should NOT assume that seals that work with petroleum based fuels will automatically work with alcohol fuels. I counsel against experimentation with such unless you're familiar with alcohol resistant material types and equally familiar with what materials are used in a particular stove.
HJ
hikin_jim
251
Dec 26, 2017
justgWell, if you're looking for a stove that can operate on both canister gas or liquid petroleum based fuels, I don't think the Milli Joule would meet your needs. The Milli Joule is canister gas only and is a relatively high end stove designed primarily for cold weather use.
If you want a dual fuel option (anister gas or liquid petroleum based fuels), then the Omni Lite Ti is a good options although the Omni Lite is a tad expensive and is a little lower powered than some. The regular Primus Omni fuel is heavier but is less expensive and more powerful.
The Whisperlite Universal at $140 is a good buy, but does not come with a fuel bottle.
Really, when you consider that this drop (of the Hydra) comes with a fuel bottle, I don't think you're going to do better for a stove that can handle both canister gas or liquid petroleum based fuels.
HJ