Jetboil vs. Reactor

[Lostsheep]

The Jetboil has been out for a while and I'm sure there are several here who use one and love it, but does anybody have a MSR Reactor? I haven't had the luxury of tesing the reactor yet, but I've seen it, and it sure looks sharp. The downfall is that $130 price tag!

Anybody have any comments about it? Should I abandon the search and stick w/ the PepsiG and whisperlite or look toward the other portable rocket engines?

Thanks.

[Lostsheep]

Nobody has anything for this?

[Nalgene Ninja]

I own an ancient Peak1 and a Propane canister (yeah those big 1lb canisters) stove, so I'm probably no help. But to me it seems like you rope yourself into 1 kind of cooking, same knock as alcohol, and are limited to one set of cookware (or by the looks of it a single pot).  But if you are absolutely dead set on a canister stove for boiling water @ max efficiency this looks like a good way to go. Personally I'd prefer the Jetboil GCS for the different sizes of pots/pans offered and the abilty to simmer. But I do like to cook.

[Rob]

Lost Sheep, I have and use the jet boil system, I purchased it before they came out with the Reactor. And Yes, I do love the Jetboil. If you are using the stove for solo hikes weight may be a consideration. The Jetboil weighs 14 oz., the Reactor about 24 oz. The JB has a slower boil time than the MSR. The JB is very expandable to accommodate larger groups, but the additional equipment adds expense.
Tough choice, but I'll stick with the Jetboil.

I also have a MSR whisperlite and I hate it............ only used it once, too much to fuss with just to make a simple meal.

BTW, both stoves had good reviews in Backpacker magazine.          Happy Trails.........R ob

[Lostsheep]

Yea they both have good reviews and I already have a pretty expansive setup.

Currently I have a peak1 canister stove, a MSR whisperlight (love it), and an alcohol stove.

For solo trips, it's alcohol as my #1. When my wife goes, we still tend to use the alcohol and make Freezer bag meals. Sometimes we'll take the whisperlite or peak1 when we really plan on cooking and have more elaborate meals.

I like the expandability of that jetboil and for the price, almost can't beat it. I'm just trying to see if I really need it and if I'm going to spring for one, I want to buy one and be done. I'm really looking for opinions on it.

[Magic City Matt]

I really think to me it would be about efficiency. Both seem to accomplish the same thing fairly well. I would want the one that gave me the most bang for my buck on the fuel. Personally on the trail if I lost a minute or two waiting for my water to boil I never really notice. But if I run out of fuel before I expect to that is really bad. I have never tried either of these systems. I mostly do the same thing as you LS.  I use my penny alcohol stove when it is just Lesley and I. But I also have an MSR whisperlite we use when the group is 3 or more.
This is purely opinion here and I have no research to back it up but it does not seem like you are going to gain much with either system for your solo trips over the cost and weight of the alcohol burner other than maybe a couple of minutes on boil times. I don't think either will suit for groups of 3 or more over the whisperlite either.
I admit I am drawn to both of these systems as well but the accountant that lives in my wifes head offers up this simple question every time I start to think it is a necessity. "What makes it better than what you have?"

Matthew

[Lostsheep]

I get the same response from the wife, Matthew.

"Why is it better, and do you really NEED it?" along with "What does 3mins boil time gain you over 6mins?"

Tis, true. I like them, but probably do not need them.

[Rob]

For me the boil time isn't really a factor in what I use either, it is simply a plus. As most of you know from reading previous posts, I am a real OCD person, I truly hate anything that is going to get soot or other residues on my gear, sorry that's just me. And I strongly dislike piddling with the fuel thing. What I do dislike with the jetboil system is the empty fuel canister. What a waste. Did I need the jetboil? NO. Did I want it? YES. I got it, use it and will get my money's worth out of it without the soot, fumbling with the fuel mess, or maintenance of the whisperlite. I have never tried the penny stove, but would possibly give it a try if it doesn't interfere with my OCD curse.   Happy Trails!

You are probably right Matthew, nothing to gain, just gotta get that iconic gearhead title. LOL 

[Magic City Matt]

You are probably right Matthew, nothing to gain, just gotta get that iconic gearhead title. LOL 

I don't get me wrong. I love to blow some cash on gear. But occasionally I have some lucid moments of debt awareness. This was one of them.

[sam4msu]

I have seen the Reactor in action and it is pretty impressive.  I only boil water in camp so I may not be the best judge for your uses.  I use a Gigapower stove that lives up to my needs of boiling water while paying the lowest weight penalty.  My last trip was with a guy who used a Jetboil and my Gigapower boiled 1 cup of water within 15 seconds of the same time as his JB did.  Another friend who has a Reactor boils his water much faster that I do, but pays the weight penalty.  I am very happy with mine.