The Biolite works really well as a stove, that's the edge it has vs your car. And while it's kind of heavy for what it does it's not too heavy to pack.

After having the stove and using it I do think it's a non-essential piece of gear, but a useful one. While it seems to be well made I would be leery of trusting it as my only stove and means of electricity. Anything with forced-induction would be useless if the fan died.

But I do like messing around with mine. And when the new, larger "Base Camp" version comes out I think that might be a winner.