I love this stove. Get the best, Forget the rest. I had many other types (Primus Multifule, included) and they don't have the same level of versatility as Explorer (Try running any of the others on Diesel!).
It has a beautiful blue flame with no roaring noice, and it can burn almost all liquid fuel types (except Grease!) with ease and good control. After trying many other types for years this is the one I will keep.

Customer Service

Service has been excellent so far.

Similar Products Used:

Primus H. Multifuel
Coleman Dual Fuel Stove

I've used the Explorer for about a year. It needs longer priming than other stoves I've used, but it can be easily adjustet from glowing to hot burning.

AND there is no roaring sound just a low hiss. That is important when I use it as heater inside the tent (I use a lavvo).

I have cut two lines in my Trangia and the explorer can be used in it without dismantling it.

Similar Products Used:

Primus 210 (still use it)
Primus Varifuel (great, but sound like a jetpalin)

Note: I'm reviewing the Nova (which replaces the discontinued Explorer).

Size: The stove itself is quite compact and comes with a very nice padded velcro carrying case. Unfortunately, to accomodate the flame control lever, the case is bulky leaving little room for other items when storing the case+stove inside your pot. It barely fit inside my MSR blacklite set. Packed without the case there's plenty of room in the pot, but then what's the point of the case?

Noise: The marketing materials claim the volume will not disrupt dinner conversations. Granted, it is quieter than the MSR Dragonfly, but that's not saying much. I don't object to the volume as much as I do the "spitfire" sound it makes.

Priming: I did not find the patented "quickpriming" design to prime that much faster than my brother's MSR Whisperlite. Granted, I did not test it in cold weather which might make a more noticeable difference.

Quality: The stove is solidly built with an all aluminum pump. No qualms here. The pump mechanism has a nifty design where turning the bottle on one side pushes out air instead of fuel (meaning less fuel spills out when disconnecting - although a few drops do inevitably drip out, even if you've burned off the remaining fuel).

Flame Control: It does simmer, but not as well as the Peak 1 stoves I've used (which are exceptional in this regard). Perhaps I'm spoiled...

I had really high hopes for this stove but I'm sending it back to REI. Not that it's a bad stove, it's just not worth the $130-140 it costs. Why Optimus charges that much is beyond me! Perhaps I could have been able to live with it if the noise level output were a tad smoother...

Similar Products Used:

MSR Whisperlite, MSR Dragonfly, Peak 1 Xtreme, Peak 1 Apex II.

Sturdy (Optimus = sturdy), quiet, reasonably EZ field repairs and adjustment. As already mentioned same simple,effective cleaning mechanism as other models. Not as "sexy" as the Dragonfly, more expensive and 2 oz.heavier but better at handling alternative fuels. Flipstop technology works beautifully to release pressure so stove can be removed from the bottle w/o spritzing fuel. All aluminum pump.
A&H (these folks are a pleasure to deal with) did just get one last shipment of these stoves in as of 10/20/00. I think this stove with it's tried and true technology is worth considering. Don't be discouraged if it needs some adjustment at first ( this will bring the rating down a bit). I had to re-set the cleaning needle on mine right out of the box. A little annoying . I look forward to long dependable use though as has been the case with my 23 year old 8R.
Adding to the other reviews; I was able to run the new Nova multi-fuel. It primed in about 40 seconds with very little fuel and ran smoothly without flair-ups. It looks great, weighs 2oz less and folds up smaller than the MSR. The new cleaning needle which works by magnetism seems OK, though I am still a bit skeptical. I look forward the perviously mentioned review.
I've been told that Optimus ( which is supposedly just up the street from Primus) has not had as much money and in the past has failed to find decent representation here. They are now being distributed by Brunton. As is the case with Primus's Himalya series not likely to see them on the shelves at REI because because of (guessing here) they compete with MSR.

Customer Service

As I said A&H will provide good product support. Small staff but always willing to help and answer questions.

Similar Products Used:

Primus, MSR

Solid, dependable, well-built stove. Quality materials throughout. I expect it will last as long as my Optimus 8R which is over 20 years old and going strong. The Explorer No. 11 is straight-forward to prime and light. I have run it on both white gas and kerosene, in northern Manitoba winter conditions (i.e. cold!), without problems. Very quiet operation - can carry on a conversation while the stove is running. Great control from high output blaster to gentle simmer. Good with Outback Oven. I made one small modification by serrating the top edges of the pot supports.
Only drawbacks - expensive (although probably the last stove you'll need to buy), and no windscreen included, other than a small one on the burner.

Customer Service

Optimus does a poor job of marketing and distributing their stoves in North America. (Perhaps they've given up this market to MSR & Coleman, and are happy with markets elsewhere?) Optimus stoves are available through A & H in the U.S., as well as parts and service. They are prompt and reliable. See the Optimus website for their address and toll-free number.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus 8R, Coleman Peak 1, MSR Whisperlite, Trangia 25.

The Explorer has been discontinued. The Nova, at about $139, has replaced it. A sales rep at H&A says the Nova is a much better stove. Trouble is, you'll have to wait until November to get one. Like other Optimus stoves, the Nova has a built in cleaning needle--possibly its greatest advantage over the best models of Primus and MSR. Stay tuned, I bought the Nova. I'll review it after it comes.

Similar Products Used:

None

Sturdy, easy to prime, very fuel efficient. It burns quiet and the output i easy to controll. Explorer can be fitted to a Trangia or Optimus stove or used as a standalone product. I use it together with the Optimus Ranger 90 Stove (like a Trangia but with bigger pans and lower weight).

Customer Service

I've e-mailed Optimus once and got a quick response.

Similar Products Used:

MSR XGK and KAP-Arktic.

This stove is exelent working all times.

Customer Service

I have made a windshield of a thin aluminium plate, which I keep rolled around the fuel bottle when not in use.

Similar Products Used:

MSR Whisperlite.

After initial problems with this stove(dry leather washer in pump)I have found it to to be an excellent performer especially with the Triangia convertion. Not having to shout to my walking partners while cooking is a big plus.

Customer Service

I sent an E mail to Optimus in Sweden about my svea 123 a couple of months ago and have not received a reply which is poor customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Svea 123,MSR whisperlite,MSR dragonfly.

This stove is well built and has an accurate flame control, from Simmer to Nuclear Blast, it's adjustable. The multi-fuel ability is great, I had to burn some rather crappy diesel fuel when I packed in the Phillipines, yet the stove worked like a champ. Alcohol (Meths) is a pain in the arse to use with the air/fuel mix damper-slider attachment-I could not get a consistent blue flame on any setting when using alcohol.

Similar Products Used:

SVEA 123 (Old faithful)
Coleman Peak One (Sucks!!),
GAZ (Expensive!!)
MSR (Shake, Shake, Shake, Fling into rock!!)