Good video. I recently had to choose between the 2 & am happy with my Jetboil zip...largely due to size & cost. At this point, I'm most interested in how you like your Suunto Core.
Great review.. The reactor is a great stove "Proven" in the field by many hikers the jetboil is the new "Gimmicky" neon colored "Toy" to those who want to whip out there wallets to think they have the coolest latest camp toy which they think will make them look like the "Hippiest" hiker when in the contrary it doesnt to those who have a bit experience. 1 problem is your locked into the jetboils cup to cook no "Pans" or "Frying" Save your $ to buy a better tent or bag to get a good night sleep.
They are both good systems. One cooks a littlte faster but the other is a little smaller. I have a pocket rocket because of it's small size. It is not the fastest but has never let me down.
i havent personally used a reactor and i love my jetboil. other than not using the proper gas for the jetboil i saw one major flaw, you had to use a match to light the reactor and the jetboil has its own ignition system which in a windy situation makes a huge difference. by the time you actually got the reactor lit the jetboil would be boiling water
I'll just add my bit of advice: go with a reactor. Decided to go with a reactor just out of a gamble really and I love it. Out performs the jetboils my buddies have every time. More efficient and faster to the point they don't even bring theirs anymore- they use mine. Wind has zero effect on the reactor. Could not be happier
@ukusagent you can't depend on a piezo igniter... those things fail so often. And seriously I'll never matches with me. A magnesium striker will work to light stoves for years and can never fail unless you lose it
@ukusagent Seriously "Really...." How fast is your stove going to be if have wet matches. If your going to be shut down without a pizo electric starter on your stove then I seriously think you will be one challenged hiker backpacker. 2nd If you actually used or put that jet boil to any serious time in the field you would already know this that the Jetboils have issues of failure and in paticular the Pizio starters. but he there are suckers born every day willing to waste and extra 90 bucks...
@rmstudio Well all I will say is I bought my Jetboil over a year ago online for under $50, Its in the space under the seat of my truck its there when I need it and it works when I need it. Funny how the Brirish Soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan have been buying the hell out of the jetboil even though you say its inferior, Each too their own I bought mine I am happy with it it does what I need when I need it too
@ukusagent Ok I guess I am to believe you got it for 50 because you "Said it so?" right.. Even if you did everyone else cant get them the go for 120 and 140 bucks depending were you get them from... Like I said the cup is locked in to be used with that stove. The guys overseas use it for water boil coffee and thats about it. "Oh and for smokes" but most of those guys use them on base not in the "Field" big difference my friend..
@rmstudio its not such leap of faith there have been plenty on ebay for under 60 bucks with free shipping. I am sure your stove is fantastic for what you want it too do, as is mine. After all if we all liked the same thing we would all be driving Mercedes Benz , who made the first practical automobile , and not the 1954 Chevy pickup, I currently drive
I know why the msr reactor won your useing msr fuel for the msr but not useing jetboil fuel for the jetboil. The makers of jetboil make a specefic blend of butane and propane that works best with the jetboil system.
Hey guys great video but with one thing wrong with it, the reactor pot is wider and has more surface area then the jetboil so it will boil faster anyway. but thats just my 2 cents
Great video, thanks. Would have been even more informative to have paralel temperature control displays, but I don't have those at home either. Anyhow it helps this way as well to decide.
Gas efficiency based on Jetboil's and MSR's official info:
Can someone do a test where you boil a liter of water in both the jetboil and the reactor, Measure weight of the fuel canister weight before the test and after to see the amount of fuel that is consumed. I think this would be the most important. I think it's more important to carry less fuel.. So an efficiency test would seem more useful. I Did and A/B comparison test with my reactor and alcohol stove and the alcohol stove is actually more efficient for trips under 4 days (stove+fuel weight)
what's the heat efficiency on the Reactor, though? I thought that the jetboil was known for thermal efficiency, and that also means water boils quickly with minimal heat. Is the Reactor just a lightweight jet engine, or is the fuel consumption equal?
The Reactor uses catalyst technology from the late 80's to generate radiant heat making it windproof. It utilizes a patent pending heat exchanger that tranfers heat to the pot very efficiently.
Well you have to remember that the Reactor as a whole was designed to be a self contained, compact, but VERY powerful backpacker stove. If they had designed the Burner into the bottom of the pot it wouldn't be nearly as compact.
Putting the radiant element there still wouldnt get you closer to the boil times of the complete reactor system.
Then, perhaps the radiant element could still be removable, but somehow made to work with the Whisperlite.
There must be a way they could have done that, and easily.
I cant help but think they went the canister route because they sell more burners that wouldnt actually be needed had they designed it to work with the Whisperlites that everyone already has.
Well i dont know exactly how that element works so i cant argue that point.
But i can say with a fair amount of confidence that MSR designed the Reactor the way they did to compete directly with the Jetboil and to be King of the Water boiling Stoves. They weren't thinking about bettering the whisperlite. They were thinking about making a whole new stove.
I do understand that it would have been easy to design a pot for the WL with the heat exchangers. Who knows maybe they will.
I find the reactor is the best out there. For altitude and winter temps nothing can compare. Iv'e used the reactor in -35c with no change in boil time. 3 minutes, no matter what the conditions or altitude. This stove kicks but. Good review :o)
nice vid guys, thanks for the comparison. I like the jetboil becuase it has a little more temp control and like you guys said, smaller, but the msr is appealing if all you are looking for is boiling water. jet boil doesn't work as consistently in colder temps, below -20, and higher altitudes, above 12'500. (my experience)
Yes. The Reactor has a pressure valve. It is able to give constant flow regardless of temperature or wind. The Jetboil is not able to perform in those same conditions. Your point of flame control is not as vaild. Both stoves are designed to simply boil.
We are also going to do a 1 cup challenge. The Jetboil boils 1 cup in 90 sec, about the same amount of time the Reactor boiled 2 cups. We are also going to do the wort case scenario test as well, fuel cans in ice, with a fan blowing on them.
Awesome comment. We both work at an outdoor retail shop. I've been in and out of the industry for about 10 year. Anyway, the MSR is slightly larger, making the Jetboil appealing for the weight/size conscious. Our next test will be a continuous burn test, new fuel cans to see which stove lasts the longest, ie most fuel efficient.
Thanks guys for a proper real world comparison. I am in the military and use a jetboil, it might be slower to boil than the MSR but it's smaller (fits in one of my pouches) and appears more stable and I can use a small frypan I carry in my pack. The MSR is bulkier and looks unstable without the ability for the pot to be hooked in. Even though the MSR was faster I wonder if it used more gas, thereby making it costlier and then you need to carry more canisters?
Yeah the amount of gas used is a fairly important factor - in other tests I've seen they weighed the gas canisters before and after to check how much gas was used - you might like to consider adding that to your future tests :) nice work
I like the video and have a jetboil sol ti myself, but your music sounds like an 1983 beach porno flick
Bensphillieagles 2 weeks ago
I can't hear anything you guys are saying the music is too damn loud!
TheOriginalStevenH 2 weeks ago
@rmstudio- umm... Jetboil has been around 3 years longer than Reactor. MSR obviously does have a long track record.
jimqpublic2 1 month ago
Music too loud to hear what your saying
theclivesinclair 1 month ago
FYI you get an adapter for the Jetboil for the with standard pans, cups etc.
room315org 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Good video. I recently had to choose between the 2 & am happy with my Jetboil zip...largely due to size & cost. At this point, I'm most interested in how you like your Suunto Core.
wgmyler 2 months ago
Comment removed
wgmyler 2 months ago
Great review.. The reactor is a great stove "Proven" in the field by many hikers the jetboil is the new "Gimmicky" neon colored "Toy" to those who want to whip out there wallets to think they have the coolest latest camp toy which they think will make them look like the "Hippiest" hiker when in the contrary it doesnt to those who have a bit experience. 1 problem is your locked into the jetboils cup to cook no "Pans" or "Frying" Save your $ to buy a better tent or bag to get a good night sleep.
rmstudio 2 months ago
They are both good systems. One cooks a littlte faster but the other is a little smaller. I have a pocket rocket because of it's small size. It is not the fastest but has never let me down.
DamionJR4923 3 months ago
i havent personally used a reactor and i love my jetboil. other than not using the proper gas for the jetboil i saw one major flaw, you had to use a match to light the reactor and the jetboil has its own ignition system which in a windy situation makes a huge difference. by the time you actually got the reactor lit the jetboil would be boiling water
jimbob9631 6 months ago
I'll just add my bit of advice: go with a reactor. Decided to go with a reactor just out of a gamble really and I love it. Out performs the jetboils my buddies have every time. More efficient and faster to the point they don't even bring theirs anymore- they use mine. Wind has zero effect on the reactor. Could not be happier
slickskiier 10 months ago
i like the music but i cant hear any of the specs you were mumbling....
antoniscon007 1 year ago 6
How fast is the MSR going too be if your matches are wet or you dont have any Personally I Prefer the jet boil
ukusagent 1 year ago
@ukusagent you can't depend on a piezo igniter... those things fail so often. And seriously I'll never matches with me. A magnesium striker will work to light stoves for years and can never fail unless you lose it
jaredwithrow 5 months ago
@ukusagent Seriously "Really...." How fast is your stove going to be if have wet matches. If your going to be shut down without a pizo electric starter on your stove then I seriously think you will be one challenged hiker backpacker. 2nd If you actually used or put that jet boil to any serious time in the field you would already know this that the Jetboils have issues of failure and in paticular the Pizio starters. but he there are suckers born every day willing to waste and extra 90 bucks...
rmstudio 2 months ago
@rmstudio Well all I will say is I bought my Jetboil over a year ago online for under $50, Its in the space under the seat of my truck its there when I need it and it works when I need it. Funny how the Brirish Soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan have been buying the hell out of the jetboil even though you say its inferior, Each too their own I bought mine I am happy with it it does what I need when I need it too
ukusagent 2 months ago
@ukusagent Ok I guess I am to believe you got it for 50 because you "Said it so?" right.. Even if you did everyone else cant get them the go for 120 and 140 bucks depending were you get them from... Like I said the cup is locked in to be used with that stove. The guys overseas use it for water boil coffee and thats about it. "Oh and for smokes" but most of those guys use them on base not in the "Field" big difference my friend..
rmstudio 2 months ago
@rmstudio its not such leap of faith there have been plenty on ebay for under 60 bucks with free shipping. I am sure your stove is fantastic for what you want it too do, as is mine. After all if we all liked the same thing we would all be driving Mercedes Benz , who made the first practical automobile , and not the 1954 Chevy pickup, I currently drive
ukusagent 2 months ago
@ukusagent How fast will the jet boil be when the piezo fails? Moot point. Carry a lighter. Always.
vertizon 1 month ago
@vertizon replacement NEW Jetboil PCS/GCS Igniter Maintenance Kit =$6
ukusagent 6 days ago
I know why the msr reactor won your useing msr fuel for the msr but not useing jetboil fuel for the jetboil. The makers of jetboil make a specefic blend of butane and propane that works best with the jetboil system.
HDCYTFAN 1 year ago
@HDCYTFAN there is no such difference... ask anyone in the industry... its all an isobutane blend....
jaredwithrow 5 months ago
The reactor actualy really sucks i hate it.
HDCYTFAN 1 year ago
Hey guys great video but with one thing wrong with it, the reactor pot is wider and has more surface area then the jetboil so it will boil faster anyway. but thats just my 2 cents
TacticalGummyBear 1 year ago
I believe you are to "lock down" the msr lid as well to make it a little more like a pressure cooker
dman2004 1 year ago
@dman2004 it still has a venting hole
jaredwithrow 5 months ago
Great video, thanks. Would have been even more informative to have paralel temperature control displays, but I don't have those at home either. Anyhow it helps this way as well to decide.
Gas efficiency based on Jetboil's and MSR's official info:
Jetboil = 12l water / 100g gas
MSR Reactor = 9,69l water / 100g gas
ilpee 1 year ago
Can someone do a test where you boil a liter of water in both the jetboil and the reactor, Measure weight of the fuel canister weight before the test and after to see the amount of fuel that is consumed. I think this would be the most important. I think it's more important to carry less fuel.. So an efficiency test would seem more useful. I Did and A/B comparison test with my reactor and alcohol stove and the alcohol stove is actually more efficient for trips under 4 days (stove+fuel weight)
andrewtheoD 1 year ago
JetBoil is great, really started something great. However IMHO MSR greatly improved upon the JetBoil design with the reactor. I love my Reactor.
rocktruggy03 1 year ago
wow thats fast and just seen a vid with a reactor operating at -30....??can the jet boil work that low too?
bassfuryvi 2 years ago
As long as the fuel is prewarmed by body heat to within a temp range where the liquid fuel can boil off into gas, there's no reason it shouldn't.
BrokenAeroVT 2 years ago
@bassfuryvi The Reactor has a pressure valve within the system. The jetboil will not operate in colder temps due to its lack of pressure valve...
supermikeyb 1 year ago
what's the heat efficiency on the Reactor, though? I thought that the jetboil was known for thermal efficiency, and that also means water boils quickly with minimal heat. Is the Reactor just a lightweight jet engine, or is the fuel consumption equal?
apixx77 2 years ago
The Reactor uses catalyst technology from the late 80's to generate radiant heat making it windproof. It utilizes a patent pending heat exchanger that tranfers heat to the pot very efficiently.
BrokenAeroVT 2 years ago
you guys rock, thanks for puttin in the time
jons4real 2 years ago
MSR should have come out with a Reactor system that fits onto my Whisperlite.
I shouldnt have to purchase a whole new stove system to gain the benefits of that pot.
MrBillTroop73 2 years ago
Its not just the pot. Its the burner too. The amount of heat my Reactor puts out is insane.
I was lucky enough to snag one on sale for $120. Gotta Love Sports Chalet
Viking445 2 years ago
Thanks for the reply.
I get the idea that the special burner element combines to make radiant heat to help reduce the boil time.
It just seems to me that they could have made that radiant element part of the heat exchanger on the pot, and I could then use it on my Whisperlite.
MrBillTroop73 2 years ago
Well you have to remember that the Reactor as a whole was designed to be a self contained, compact, but VERY powerful backpacker stove. If they had designed the Burner into the bottom of the pot it wouldn't be nearly as compact.
Putting the radiant element there still wouldnt get you closer to the boil times of the complete reactor system.
Viking445 2 years ago
Then, perhaps the radiant element could still be removable, but somehow made to work with the Whisperlite.
There must be a way they could have done that, and easily.
I cant help but think they went the canister route because they sell more burners that wouldnt actually be needed had they designed it to work with the Whisperlites that everyone already has.
MrBillTroop73 2 years ago
Well i dont know exactly how that element works so i cant argue that point.
But i can say with a fair amount of confidence that MSR designed the Reactor the way they did to compete directly with the Jetboil and to be King of the Water boiling Stoves. They weren't thinking about bettering the whisperlite. They were thinking about making a whole new stove.
I do understand that it would have been easy to design a pot for the WL with the heat exchangers. Who knows maybe they will.
Viking445 2 years ago
Thanks for the replies, and the discussion.
I appreciate your thoughts.
MrBillTroop73 2 years ago
no problem at all.
Good luck with the Troop. :)
Viking445 2 years ago
I find the reactor is the best out there. For altitude and winter temps nothing can compare. Iv'e used the reactor in -35c with no change in boil time. 3 minutes, no matter what the conditions or altitude. This stove kicks but. Good review :o)
Ggreenvideos 2 years ago
nice vid guys, thanks for the comparison. I like the jetboil becuase it has a little more temp control and like you guys said, smaller, but the msr is appealing if all you are looking for is boiling water. jet boil doesn't work as consistently in colder temps, below -20, and higher altitudes, above 12'500. (my experience)
benjydaniel 2 years ago
Yes. The Reactor has a pressure valve. It is able to give constant flow regardless of temperature or wind. The Jetboil is not able to perform in those same conditions. Your point of flame control is not as vaild. Both stoves are designed to simply boil.
supermikeyb 2 years ago
Could you concider using same gas for both, to get neutral results?
TheCrazyFinn 2 years ago
They both use the same fuel mixture. Using the same can will not alter or change the result. The MSR Reactor is a much better design all around.
supermikeyb 2 years ago
We are also going to do a 1 cup challenge. The Jetboil boils 1 cup in 90 sec, about the same amount of time the Reactor boiled 2 cups. We are also going to do the wort case scenario test as well, fuel cans in ice, with a fan blowing on them.
supermikeyb 3 years ago
Awesome comment. We both work at an outdoor retail shop. I've been in and out of the industry for about 10 year. Anyway, the MSR is slightly larger, making the Jetboil appealing for the weight/size conscious. Our next test will be a continuous burn test, new fuel cans to see which stove lasts the longest, ie most fuel efficient.
supermikeyb 3 years ago
Thanks guys for a proper real world comparison. I am in the military and use a jetboil, it might be slower to boil than the MSR but it's smaller (fits in one of my pouches) and appears more stable and I can use a small frypan I carry in my pack. The MSR is bulkier and looks unstable without the ability for the pot to be hooked in. Even though the MSR was faster I wonder if it used more gas, thereby making it costlier and then you need to carry more canisters?
zacandmillie 3 years ago
Yeah the amount of gas used is a fairly important factor - in other tests I've seen they weighed the gas canisters before and after to check how much gas was used - you might like to consider adding that to your future tests :) nice work
therealtrevor 2 years ago