More important than the initial cost o any item is its effectiveness and its dependability//reliability. Part of this consideration is the question - Do you know how to use the item properly?

I really appreciate gear with which I am familiar - a minor example - yesterday - our power was out for about ten hours. Getting up in the morning, the first order of business was a nice hot, steaming cup of coffee.

Time to break out the camping gear, including my MSR Pocket Rocket, purchased and first used in 2001. It worked fine, and i had my coffee in jig time, using a stove in which I had utter confidence - a nice feeling when things are getting a little dicey...

I have no idea what that stove cost back in 2001, nor do I care. I just know it works and heats stuff up.
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Geezer in Chief