Peak 1 Feather 400 Stoves
Peak 1 Feather 400 Stoves
USER REVIEWS
[Apr 26, 2004]
Whitworth1609
Backpacker
Owned Feather 400 since mid 80's, never had one problem through 100's of burn time hours and Boy Scout abuse. I've bought and used other stoves but the Feather 400 just always works. When I've been with those who use other stoves, mine is first and last running and does major portion of cooking (my own and sometimes theirs). My stove is beat up but still on the job. About the weight, What extra weight? Fuel canisters of other liquid fuel stoves may not be permanently attached to the burner but they do have weight. Initially I carried my Feather 400 as a backup for my MSR Pocket Rocket, because the Feather 400 has never failed. Neither has the Pocket Rocket but that's another review. My sons carry canister stoves but I still hang on to old reliable. Customer Service Never used Similar Products Used: Optimus |
[Nov 01, 2003]
cooler
Car Camper
I had this stove since sometime in the 80's. I do not remember. It worked quite well, until the generator gave me trouble. At the time I did not know it. The authorized service guys in Hamden sat on it for a month, before I took it back and wrote to Coleman a lengthy letter. They replaced the generator (Aha!) and enclosed a new one. I thought that was nice. Then a few years later it developed a leak around the lock nut that tightens the generator cleaning lever. It happened a few times, but I learned to tighten it with a wrench. After one stout torque, it never leaked again. It puts out impressive heat. The fuel tank can get a little hot, however, after a long boiling session. I bought the Coleman brand windscreen (rather unsightly and bulky) designed for it, but I do not use it. Too inconvenient. I prefer the paneled one that you can place it on the table or stake it into the soft ground. Just be careful with overheating, when you use windscreen with this type of stove, as well as with Svea 123. The only grumble I have is that it gives off that nasty stench, after you shut it off. It is just unavoidable. That smoke gives me a headache. That was the main reason why I switched to canister type stoves, until I discovered Primus Omni. Peak 1 400 is a great car camping stove for two. It takes little room and weight in the trunk. I would not take it on a hiking, because it is rather too heavy in the backpack. I would rather take my Svea 123. And I learned to take a backup stove always. Customer Service Coleman did okay in responding to my indignant letter. I never needed any services after that. Similar Products Used: Optimus Svea 123, 8R, 99; Primus Omni Fuel. |
[Aug 12, 2001]
Jeff Legato
Backpacker
I got this at an REI garage sale. Someone returned it saying that it leaked. I pumped it up and couldn't detect any leak so, at a steal for $10, I had nothing really to lose. Similar Products Used: None |
[Apr 23, 2001]
Russ Mead
Backpacker
This is the only real simmer stove I like. It is a bit heavy, and in wind can blow out 1/4 of the flame. ( Similar Products Used: None |
[Mar 19, 2001]
S. Velthuis
Day Hiker
Preheating is very easy, never had any problems with it, not even with unleaded car fuel. Just pump a few times and light. Preheating at low temperatures is possible wtih alcohol. But: no preheating cup, so you've to wet the burner itself. A little bit flare is possible as long as the burner isn't hot, but as long as you don't cook in your tent, that's no problem. Burner is placed on top of the tank, so as long as you don't overfill the tank, you can't get any liquid fuel (= reason for flaring) in the burner Customer Service Just changed the leather cup of the pump. After 20 years that's not a shame. Similar Products Used: Optimus 111 Hiker, a real tank. |
[Jan 30, 2001]
Brian Wurst
Backpacker
A workhorse of a stove. Dependable, rugged and powerful. Don't leave home without it. A bit tippy with a large frypan or gallon pot of water on top of it. Customer Service Never had to have it fixed, repaired or replaced. Similar Products Used: Optimus 111B |
[Nov 02, 2000]
Ralph
Backpacker
I've had my feather 400 for 10 years now and have never had any problems with it.I use it all year round and it always works.I think its a great stove Similar Products Used: None |
[Sep 15, 2000]
Daron
Climber
I purchased my feather400 stove 10 years ago and took it to NM for an 85 mile trek. Since then it's been great. This thing is efficient enough for most everyone and isn't big by any means. I've used it for activities ranging from all-out backcountry packing to car camping. It always been reliable. The only maintenance I've done to this stove in ten years is lubing the rubber gasket on the pump rod. One thing to watch out for though...when relighting the stove while it's still warm, WATCH YOUR EYEBROWS!! This stove tends to flare up. I just throttle the fuel valve a few times and that seems to fix it. Overall I'm very happy with this stove and plan to use it for years to come. Similar Products Used: None |
[Aug 05, 2000]
Paul
Backpacker
I owned this stove(actually, a 442 dual fuel) for a day and then returned it . I'm sure that people who love this stove learn how to deal with its quirks but I found it very touchy and unpredictable. If you turn the fuel flow too high before the generator is fully warm, this stove will become a horrific inferno. It really should be primed but the stove is not designed for this as there is no priming cup or priming pad. For some reason it requires a tremendous amount of pumping. The stove that I purchased was also quite crooked. I had to bend the feet to get it to sit right. The label was crooked too. Overall I was not impressed so I returned it and bought a Primus MFS which is super easy to light and very predictable. In its favor, it is very quiet, unlike the Primus. Similar Products Used: Primus MFS, Markill Hotshot, Enders (a rare German stove I had many years ago.) |
[Sep 15, 1999]
Mike
Backpacker
Good for the money. Easy to find at most stores. I like the multifuel option but have never used anything other than stove fuel. Similar Products Used: The real debate would be detached or attached bottles. For as little as I use it, I like the attached. |