Bradford B. from United States, NC Public Profile

I wanted a multifuel that could burn whatever fuel I could find. The Nova is as good as it gets. There are many old reviews hanging around from the tome this stove was briefly made in a Chinese factory that had quality issues back in 2010. Optimus moved production to a new factory in Taiwan and this stove has been good since then. The Nova is very easy to prime. I use mostly kerosene with my stove and I prime with alcohol. It fires right up, burning blue. Simmer adjustment is excellent. It packs easily into my Optimus Terra HE set of pots. The Nova is heavier than my MSR Whisperlite Universal, but is much easier to use. The WLU is crude by comparison, but consider that the Nova does not burn canister fuel, if that is your interest. I am not a gram counter starving in the woods, I like to cook real food and this stove does the job. While not quiet, the Nova is no louder than a Svea 123.

Just back from a backpack along a Pennsylvania mountain stream. This tent was part of an attempt to lighten my gear from a previous 42 lb pack weight. Went out this time at 30 lb. Tent assembles easily, two pole sections. Materials are very light, as expected, hopefully will be durable. The double entry and vestibule are a plus. I like the side entry. Gear pockets inside are nice. I use the BA as a single. If used by two it would be sleeping only, not for hanging out, too small. Good headroom for me, 6'1". I do wish the footprint would permanently snap on, but that is minor.