Got a little package in the mail today -- the new MicroRocket stove from MSR!

I'm writing a review for Seattle Backpackers Magazine. I've got a ways to go yet on the review, but I thought I'd least let people have a preliminary look at the stove. Look for the full review in about a month's time.



The New MSR MicroRocket -- First Look

Enjoy!

HJ

OMG I WANT THAT =D!

lol. It's a nice upgrade from the PocketRocket.

HJ

WOW! I like the look of that! Keep us posted Jim!

Want.

lol.

It really is pretty cool. It's basically a beefed up PocketRocket.

Beefed up did you say? Um, Jim, don't you mean it's a fragile little ultralight toy.

NO! They did what seems counter-intuitive: They were able to beef it up (make it stronger in other words) while dropping the weight and size. NICE!

HJ

Those are nice stoves. As Jim mentioned though (and was discussed in a previous thread here) the separate piezoelectric lighter is a question mark.

A local gear store is taking pre-orders for their first shipment in January and I am on the list.

Here is short intro/ promo video from the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show held earlier this year.

YouTube Link

What he said As soon as it's on the market. . . Any clues as to MSR's timeline?

The reason for the separate piezoelectric lighter is that the owner will feel extremely far sighted for bringing a backup lighter when the PE gadget craps out, and I predict it will, probably sooner than later. But at least you can throw it away, further reducing weight.

Like thee weight reduction? I would sell my soul for a 15% weight reduction! I am a very satisfied PR user -having had no trouble at all with instability or pot supports (I have avoided stepping on my PR, sagely figuring that it would not do the stove any good).

Good thing a birthday is coming up. I think I am likely to step up to the PR II.

Last I heard, some time next month, but I'll double check with my contacts at MSR.

HJ

lol. Sad but probably true. I'm kind of scratching my head on the lighter. My attitude: "Here, sonny, here's a nickel. Go get you a real lighter."

Really, that's the best way to look at it. This is a very nicely improved PR.

Now, herein lies the trouble that MSR may be getting into: Price point. The PR sells for $40. At that price point it competes well with some of the higher end gas stoves. The PR II/MR has an MSRP of $60. Will that fly? They're now going head-to-head in the higher end market. We'll see.

HJ

Looks interesting, but not planning on buying until mine 'old' pocket rocket breaks down. Nothing really wrong with the old one...

If I understand correctly, it is something like 0.4 ounce lighter and costs $20 additional. If my math is correct, that means that you have a lighter stove for only $800 a pound. What a bargain!

I just don't don't know how to deal with those perfectly rational folks like Tjin who are still enjoying the original PR. Don't they understand that the original PR will never break down?

It still comes down to performance. MSR may have improved the simmering ability of the PR II/MR. That and the smaller package will make it a winner.

I think the biggest market will be for people who are looking for a new stove. I don't see a mass wave of people replacing their old PR's.

I think the chief advantage will be compactness (although the increased durability will be nice). There are a lot of people who like to take a little mug type pot. This stove will be really nice for that application. There are a lot of little solo mug pots that a PR won't fit into but the PR II/MR should fit into quite nicely. It may well be that its compactness will be its main selling point.

Now, how does the PR II/MR's compactness compare to the competition? We shall see. I have a Soto Microregulator, a Snow Peak GS-100, and an Optimus Crux, all of which are in the same general class of stoves. I'm looking to borrow a Monatauk Gnat. Compactness may well be what makes or breaks the PR II/MR.

The PR II/MR is definitely the better of the two stoves from what I've seen so far.

HJ

I like it better than PR already! One of my complaint is the poky points/size pot supports create when folded and not kept in the triangular plastic box, this version fixed that. Although as mentioned I'm not going to rush out and it to replace my PR, and if I do the snow peak gigapower is still a strong contender.

Yeah, the SP Gigapower is sort of the "gold standard" for small gas stoves. It's a good one.

Just got a note from MSR: The official release date is January 3, 2012. We already have them in stock and are shipping to retailers.

HJ

Thanks. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for retailers to show it on-line.

By the pound, Rosie O'Donnell is a better deal than Heidi Klum....just sayin'.