I picked this stove up when i was in college. It was for sale on a military surplus site. The stove is a real workhorse. I took it on multiple trips and it has performed flawlessly. It is a little on the heavy side. look at the nova or svea for lighter models with similar durability. Try to find this stove used. new it is quite expensive. (look on e-bay)

Customer Service

in my experience optimus stoves are designed not to need customer service. A&H enterprises in california has been helpful.

Similar Products Used:

optimus nova, svea 123, msr whisperlite trangia alcohol burners.

Had my Hiker 111 multifuel a few months now, a great stove, very high heat output, you can control the flame from full blast to low simmer. If your used to kero/white gas stoves, lighting is very simple. Some say they are heavy, but I think the weight is fine if two of you are backpacking. Stoves like the Nova are not much lighter when you take into account the weight of a full separate fuel bottle. Maintainence is simple, but make sure you know how to strip the stove before you use it in the field, and take a couple of spares, like graphite packing, and a pump leather (never had to carry out any maintainence on mine). As with all Optimus products, the build quality is superb.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Svea 123, 123R, Trangia 25 & 27, Optimus 8R, 99, Primus 96, 210, 221, 5, 2 and 1, and about 50 other liquid fuel stoves.

Dang too many bidders hopped on this one, and jacked up the price! I paid too much for, but I just had to have it. Mine is an older model, 111 Hiker. My other 8R's needed their big brother, you see. At first, I was not enlightened about a silent burner type, so I had to learn how it was supposed to be configured for gas and kerosene fuel. Once I got the hang of it, it fired up an impressive ball of blue flame. It can boil a liter of water in a hurry--about 5 minutes or so; with the priming time, it takes a couple of minutes longer. Yes, it is a little heavy, but think of it this way: if you have dragged around Coleman's double burner suitcases, you will be happy to lug this "compact" one instead--and you get the similar firepower of the Coleman. While Coleman will crumple like a tin can when stepped on, this Swedish strong box will keep its shape; just don't make a habit of driving your Hummer over it. Hiker 111 will cook for a pack of famished beasts in no time. It is stable, powerful, and reliable. It has a great range of control--from simmer to the blue inferno. It takes a little longer to prime it, because of the chunky size of the burner. Since it is a bit heavy to carry on your back, use it for car trips or canoe trips, etc. I guess I will have to get a canoe now.

Customer Service

Whut fur?

Similar Products Used:

Optimus 123, 8R, 99; Coleman 425F, 424, 400A.

I haven't wrung it out yet but after reading various reviews I am surprised how small this stove is. Yes it's a bit heavy but is reasonably compact and comparable to my Dragon Fly with the wind screen/fuel bottle ect. I was expecting a much bigger mini coleman camp type stove by the descriptions but it is actually pretty good. Set up is fast and easy and things like a funnel and repair kit can be packed in the steel case. I'd say it is a bit pricey but I guess the Swedes need to pay for universal social programs somehow. I'll have a chance to wring it out in sub zero temperatures this winter and may post back at this time.

Customer Service

The first stove was damaged in transit looked like it was dropped from a great height. Modern Outpost sent a replacement the same day I let them know it had been damaged in transit. They simply needed e-mail confirmation that I was sending the original back.

Similar Products Used:

All kinds of gasoline single burner colemans... MSR Dragonfly and whisper light, 2 & 3 burner Colemans

I bought this 111 used at a Gear Swap. It has the new model multi-fuel burner, and built-in jet cleaning needle. I cleaned off the grease and black soot, lubed up the pump, and tightened the gas valve flange a bit (which leaked the first time I tried to use the stove), and it works perfectly. I was able to heat a quart of water in about 4 minutes. This stove is heavy and strong. Because of the weight, I will probably reserve it for road trips, boating trips, and the occasional appocalypse (the fuel versatility, and toughness would also be key in this situation). This stove produces high heat at a full roar (The 111 is among the quietest camp stoves I have ever used), but also, because of the burner design, simmers nicely - much better than my Optimus 8R. The value rating on this stove depends on how much the stove costs. In my case this was an awsome deal (5 out of 5). I have seen new ones for as much as $140 - not such a good deal. So I will give it a 3 out of 5 value rating.

Customer Service

I haven't needed it yet.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus 8R Optimus 123 Coleman Peak 1 Coleman dual burner MSR Whisperlite

I purchased two 111 Hikers at a bargain and I am very pleased with this product. The 111 does weigh a lot but it is extremely sturdy and dependable, and lights up well every time. This is a good stove for those who do paddle trips and can carry a bit extra weight. The flame control is excellent and allows a great simmer while also having the capacity to burn hot and boil a quart of water in about 4 minutes. If any of you can get one of the older 111's on sale I would snatch it up and you will not be sorry. I used to use my nova on paddle trips but I have switched to the 111. I should note that the newer 111 C does not burn white gas as well, in my opinion. Finally, this is a very quiet stove.

Customer Service

Have not had to use. Have talked with A&H supplies for some extra parts. They have been very helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus Nova, MSR dragonfly, Coleman Apex and Peak 1.

Well built. A good stove for car camping. very strong. Great flame control. burns white gas/coleman fuel, kerosene, jet-a fuel and clear lite very nicely. clear lite is synthetic kerosene from exxon. It has no odor. The stove preheats well using alcohol. It uses the same burner assembly as the Ranger and explorer stoves. The only weakness is if you get a fire burning under the cap with all the little holes. When this happens the flame is louder than normal and invisible but the cap glows red hot. Very bad. shut the stove off cool it down and restart.

Customer Service

A&H interprises. Very good folks to deal with.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus: Nova, Ranger, Hunter, Explorer & Seva.
Petromax.
MSR: Dragonfly, Whisperlite International.
A&H R-1 Russian Hunter copy.
Primus: Himalaya Varifuel.
Coleman: Peak1 Feather400, 533 Dual fuel, And the green Boxes.

Great stove, but VERY heavy. It's very RUGGED and cleaning the jet while the system is on is very easy. Going to simmer is like cooking on a gas stove at home. Spare parts are not readily available like MSR stoves, but I don't think you need to replace anything. Lot's of metal parts which make it heavy. Not very good for setting up on uneven surfaces. If you manage the weigth, bring it along. It's like bringing your kitchen stove with you. My poor back. :-(

Similar Products Used:

Coleman, MSR

The stove is fantastic for car based camping, when weight is not a problem. It is powerful, economical to run and very stable, even with big pots. I find priming well with metholated spirits avoids sooting completely.

Customer Service

When I first purchased my stove, I damaged the wick. I sent an email to the manufacturer in Sweden and received not only the advice I was seeking relating to the wick and priming generally, but two new free wicks. The response was instantaneous and friendly. The contact details for Optimus are on its web site.

Similar Products Used:

None

Powerfull, easy to clean, strong build. When you combine a kitchen stove with a full combat tank you get something like this. Clever design: the Multikey. Not only for regulating the fire from boiling to simmer and cleaning the firejet, also for taking apart and putting together the complete burner.
The burner is heavy, 1.5 kg, but I use it to kook with/for a group, so weight is not very important for me.. 7 liter pans are no problem for the stable pan carrier.
The Optimus is a multifuel type, almost every liquid which is able to burn can be used in this device. With a special jet even alcohol can be used! For all other types of fuel you can use the same jet, so you dont have to change jets when you change fuel. No problem with clogs, not even when olive oil is used....
Preheating can be done with alcohol, but also with the fuel in the tank (CAREFULL!). Just open the gas for 2 seconds. Liquid fuel will wet the wick. One match and is burns.

Similar Products Used:

Coleman peak 1