MSR Whisperlite Universal -- Completed Review

I've been working on a review of the new MSR Whisperlite Universal.

The big news is that the new Whisperlite Universal will run on gas as well as liquid fuel.

Running on canister gas. NICE big flames.

My review of the new MSR Whisperlite Universal is complete and now available:
MSR Whisperlite Universal Review.

By the way, Seattle Backpackers Magazine is a worthwhile read even if you're not interested in my particular article.

Configuring the stove for different fuels:


More photos:

Running on white gasoline (Coleman fuel).


Putting out some heat!


The new Whisperlite (left) and the old Whisperlite (right).


Running on kerosene.


Stove testing at First Water on the Mt. Wilson Trail.

It's a really nice stove and a really nice job by MSR.

HJ

Jim,your photo-zen is amazing,indeed!Thanks for all the info!

Photo zen. Thanks, Rich.

HJ

Thanks for an awesome review - now I want one

There isn't any need to take out those small parts during normal stove operations, is there? (assemble - cook - cool - pack away), is there?

I wouldn't think those finicky small parts would come into play in the field unless you swap fuel type or have to do intensive field maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance - what tools do you need for disasembly?

About those infamous MSR pumps - what's wrong with them? How did they earn their bad reputation?

You're welcome.


No, there's no reason to take everything into the field unless maybe you were on a long journey across South America or something like that. For a normal camping or backpacking trip of a week or two, set the stove up at home and leave alternate fuel set ups behind.

Exactly right.


I've started a FAQ on the stove. Check it out: MSR Whisperlite Universal -- FAQ and Additional Photos
Have a look and let me know if I've answered the question.


The current MSR pump, the Duraseal pump, actually isn't bad. It's probably the best design MSR has had since the mid-eighties.

The pumps that MSR had from the mid-eighties through the late 00's (ca. 2008), did have some problems. Most notably:

• The pump tabs that held the shaft to the body would break.
• The valve housing would crack and leak fuel (that would be bad).
• The "O" ring that seals the pump to the fuel bottle would crack and leak.

All of these problems have been rectified to one degree or another on the current generation of MSR pumps. Are MSR pumps as good as something like the pump off of a Soto Muka or Primus Omnifuel? Probably not, but they're decent and certainly more affordable.

HJ

I just saw the Whisperlite Universal for sale (but not in stock) on MEC's site for $131.00 CAD (about $128.00 USD). Assuming the price doesn't change when the stoves actually hit the shelves in January, I think it's a smart move by MSR. I think MSR was reaching a bit with their original MSRP of $140.

For those who don't know, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is a large, outdoors-oriented Canadian retailer. They're vaguely similar to REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated), the US retailer.

HJ

Review of the MSR Whisperlite Universal

Hehe, what the heck are you looking at MEC's website for? You got way better prices down south.

I'm curious as to what the price of the new Whisperlite Universal will be when it actually hits the stores. MEC is the only retailer listing the Whisperlite Universal so far, so it's the only "hard" price data that I've got.

Trailspace.com has listed $140 which I thought was excessive, so it's refreshing to see MEC list the stove for $130. Perhaps it will be even less when it actually hits the stores here in the US. Trailspace isn't selling the stove; their price estimate is just based on what MSR put out at Outdoor Retailer last summer.

HJ

Actually, I noticed that MEC is pretty competitive on stuff like MSR gear when I was tent shopping. For example, a Hubba Hubba is $289 at MEC and $299 at REI. For stoves, MEC sells the DragonFly for $118 and REI is $130, etc.

Interestingly, retailers for MSR (and others) won't ship these products internationally.

Interesting that the prices would be lower in Canada which has a reputation for slightly higher prices.

Maybe the price really will be $140 in the US.

HJ

I think this is an exception to the rule; maybe MEC just has really good buyers? I don't really know.

Or something. Weird. You would think a high volume company like REI would be able to negotiate a pretty good price. Could it be that MEC sells more than REI? Hard to imagine given the number of stores REI has vs. MEC. Dunno.

Well, shoot. I was hoping it meant that MSR was going to ease up on the price of the Whisperlite Universal. I wonder if people are really going to pay $140 for a Whisperlite. For a few bucks more, you can get a Primus Omnifuel which has wonderfully precise build quality, AND you don't have to switch the end of the fuel hose when you go from liquid to gas or vice versa.

HJ

I have to agree with the rest ... your reviews - and the associated pictures - are soooo well done!!

It looks like MSR has started what will likely become a new trend in stoves. This will be real interesting.

Ken

Hi, Ken,

Thanks very much for your kind words.

I'm an old backpacker myself. I just sit down and think, "what would I want to know if I were considering this stove for myself?" Then I start taking photos. I try to dig a little. I've also survived enough backcountry "disasters" (Murphy's law in action situations) that I know what's practical and what isn't. Hopefully my practical perspective as "just another guy who likes the outdoors" makes the reviews useful. I've also still got enough science background (hopefully) from my engineering studies from years ago that I can interpret what stoves are doing "under the covers" such that it becomes accessible to readers.

It will be interesting to see if more stoves like this (gas and liquid) come out. There aren't a lot of them now. The one that is really well known is the Primus Omnifuel, which is an excellent stove.

There's also the Brunton Vapor All Fuel. I haven't tried one, but the reviews haven't been very favorable in general.

There's the Coleman Fyrestorm (two versions, one titanium, one stainless). It gets good marks on gas, but so-so on liquid.

Those three and the Whisperlite Universal make a total of four stoves of this type (gas and liquid) that I know about.

I'd say the Omnifuel is nicest. It's like a Swiss watch. It has such precision built components that it's a pleasure just to work the pump. It's only drawback is that it's a little more touchy in my opinion that the W'lite Universal -- as often high precision equipment is.

If I were going on trips where the fuel supplies were of high quality (developed countries basically), I'd take the Omnifuel. If I were going to anywhere the fuel purity and quality might be suspect, I'd go with the Whisperlite Universal. Having said that, let me stress that the Whisperlite Universal is NOT some second class stove. I just happen to really like the Omnifuel. Of course the Omnifuel costs a bit more than the Whisperlite Universal.

HJ

I'm sure the price would be similar or lower when it comes out in u.s., I've never seen anything that's actually lower in price in Canada. It's actually quite common they can't ship international, a lot of bigger names prohibit their dealer from doing that so people in overpriced countries can't bypass their dealer.

I bought a brunton vapor AF when it was discontinued, and so far the only fault/limitation I've noticed is due to having only one jet it cannot burn heavy fuel like kerosene with all blue flame. Coleman fuel and gas both work fine. One thing I like it over omnifuel is the hinged connection going from soft to hard fuel line, makes packing and placing a little easier.

I hope you're right and the Whisperlite Universal comes out for less than $140. REI offers the Omnifuel for $160. For $20 more, I'd probably go with the Omnifuel even though I like both stoves. I think the Whisperlite Universal may have trouble competing if the Omnifuel is only $20 more. I could be wrong about that of course. There are a lot of MSR fans out there, and the Whisperlite Universal is a good, solid stove.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've read several reviews that were quite negative. I've never actually seen one myself other than in photographs. (I know, shocking isn't it, a stove that Hikin' Jim doesn't own) lol.

HJ

Normally you'd be correct but for some reason MEC beats the major US retailers when it comes to MSR. I have no idea why.

The following are some examples of MEC's price compared against the price of US retailers (this price is based on REI, Campmor, BassPro, and MoonTrail - they all list the same price):

• MSR Hyperflow Microfilter - $92.00 vs. $99.95
• MSR WhisperLite Stove - $72.00 vs. $79.95
• MSR DragonFly Stove - $118.00 vs. $129.95

Its totally counter-intuitive, but its been this way for a little while now.

Regarding the stove itself (I might as well contribute something on-topic ) I really like the idea of this stove and it seems like MSR has executed it well. I have been considering adding either a WindPro or WhisperLite at some point for those colder weekends, but it seems to me this would be the best of both worlds. Thanks for the review Jim.

That's sort of my take away -- that the W'lite Universal is a sort of best of both worlds stove. If you wanted to really apply the KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetheart) principle, this stove will do it:

• "Summer" weather: Upright canister operation
• "Shoulder season" weather (early spring/late fall): Inverted canister operation (i.e. liquid feed)
• Full on Winter weather: Liquid fuel

One stove that will work really well in all seasons. Keep your gear closet nice and lean.

I like that it's a "remote" set up (burner and fuel separated). Unlike an "upright" set up (burner on top of the fuel), the burner is lower to the ground which a) makes things more stable, and b) takes you out of the wind a bit more. Also a "remote" configuration is much safer because you can put a windshield between the fuel and the burner. Heat + fuel = BOOM (not good).

The drawbacks of course are a) price (all this functionality ain't gonna come cheap) and b) weight. For summer use, a little upright gas stove will be much lighter. The trade off for the weight and price is a lot of functionality and a lot more windproofness. In case it doesn't show, I'm a big fan of the remote configuration. I've always felt the upright style was a little "tippy" and is certainly more vulnerable to wind.

HJ