jet boil vs. pocket rocket input

[handwerk]

For over a decade I've been using a MSR pocket rocket and felt content with how well it works...but I can't help noticing so many folks choose the jet boils, I've never been around one in the field. Please explain the advantages in use, the jet boil has over a pocket rocket.

 

[bowtech3dhunter]

They do boil water a lot faster. I too like you have and still use my pocket rocket I've just noticed others in camp boiling their water way faster then me and my pocket rocket.

 

[camping1601]

I started with a Soto and a Snowpeak TI cup at 6oz myself. Last year I got a JB Soto TI and the way I use it it's 9oz. The JB is by far more secure and sturdy and IMO heats water way faster and with less fuel. Fwiw I'm wouldn't think about going back to the Soto and cup.

For me the big thing is how secure everything fit together. No more fumbling with the cup on uneven ground at o dark thirty in the morning or at night. .02

 

[napeequa55]

Used both.

Pocket rocket and MSR Totan kettle combo blows JB away in weight category.

The boil time difference at my elevation and temps is usually 60-90 seconds.

I can wait.

Pocket Rocket for me!

 

[steveo]

I have used a pocket rocket for 4 years and can nothing to complain about. Inexpensive, light and does the job.

 

[scarboy11]

I will add a couple thoughts to this thread. I have and still use multiple pocket rockets. Even keep one in my truck for a emergency. I have used it in many different conditions and elevations. I have had trouble wth the pocket rocket holding a steady flame at elevation. Particularly above 12,300. In regards to the jetboil, I have used a sol. I had issues with multiple generations of the igniter, not that that is a game changer. The setup does boil much more efficient and does it in a shorter amount of time. I will also throw in the eta lite from primus, this stove has had multiple successful boils at 12,900 so very impressed. Just s couple quick thoughts

 

[COlineman78]

If I were to rebuild my cooking kit I'd go with the Pocket Rocket or Soto Windmaster with an Optimus Weekender HE or an Olicamp XTS pot. Right now I am running a Snow Peak stove with a modified Jet Boil pot. This is also an option where you could simply get the Jetboil pot and modify it to work with the Pocket Rocket. By modify I mean that I simply cut slots in mine that match up with the pot supporters to get the burner close to the bottom of the pot.

 

[smokinf15]

Had both. Sold my pocket rocket and snow peak ti cup on eBay last week. I have the small jetboil. It's the same size and weight but way better on fuel efficiency and boil times.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Jetboil is faster and quite a bit heavier (depending on pot selection for both setups).

A pocket rocket + olicamp xts pot weighs under 9 oz if I remember correctly, whereas a jetboil flash is ~14 oz. To put that into perspective a "100" isobutane canister is ~6.7 oz full, so does the efficiency of a jetboil make up for almost an entire canister in weight? I broke it all down last year and other than the convenience of speed, it didn't actually benefit weight efficiency until 13-14 days in the field boiling 3 times per day (if I remember right).

 

[ozyclint]

i used to use a kovea titanium stove and a Ti pot. it was light! however i have found this to be a heavier system than the jet solTi that i now have for trips longer than about 7 days duration. after that the efficiency of the jetboil is realised in terms of weight carried. with the kovea for 12-14 days in cold weather i needed to carry a 230gm can and a 110gm canister. with the jetboil under same conditions i carry 2x 110gm canisters and only get half way through the second can. the jetboil blows it away for efficiency.

for short trips the kovea was good, for long trips the jetboil is lighter.

 

[BigDog00]

I also run a pocket rocket and have never had any issues with it. It boils fast enough for me and is lighter than a jet boil. I typically hunt up around 11,000 ft and it has fired up right away every time. I have also been known to heat up my tarp from time to time with it.

 

[Elkfitness]

ive used the jetboil for many years in a variety of Colorado conditions and it has worked like a charm. I think you should just use what you are comfortable with. All I use my jetboil for is boiling water, so it works for me and I trust it.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

You can achieve practically the same efficiency as the Jetboil with a Oliecamp XTS, and a Soto Windmaster or a Pocket Rocket with a windscreen. Having said that there are plus and minuses for all set ups. Personally, I think most folks choose a Jetboil because it is all together in an easy package, and has a pretty good reputation.

 

[ozyclint]

You can achieve practically the same efficiency as the Jetboil with a Oliecamp XTS, and a Soto Windmaster or a Pocket Rocket with a windscreen.

how? i haven't been able to get anywhere near the efficiency of a jetboil even with a windscreen and a cup with a heat exchanging ring like the jetboil cup has.

 

[todd kelly]

Not a fan of jetboil at all. I have known more than a few guys that have had them fall apart with normal use. Personally I still run a primus stove (similar to the pocket rocket) that I bought in 1999 that is still going strong, so no need to change. I usually only go through one 8oz canister per trip so I don't see the need to buy a more efficient stove when I would be packing the same amount of fuel.

If I were to switch to a jetboil type stove I would pick a hunter friendly company like MSR or better yet Primus.

 

[duchntr]

All this talk about melted heat exchanger rings has me wondering about there durability. This season I was planning on using the jetboil ti sumo and a soto windmaster, Ill be sure to put it through its paces this summer before relying on it on any extended hunts. FWIW i get faster boil times on this combo then with my normal toaks ti pot in a controlled environment (my house). Also I always use a windscreen no matter what setup I'm using, I find it particularly helpful when its real cold out as it heats the canister and prevents freeze-ups.

 

[jeffpg]

I have wondered about this myself. I think I'll stick with my Pocket Rocket.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

how? i haven't been able to get anywhere near the efficiency of a jetboil even with a windscreen and a cup with a heat exchanging ring like the jetboil cup has.

The Soto with a heat exchange pot is a bit more efficient than the Jetboil, using the Pocket Rocket with a simple tin foil windscreen was a bit less efficient but a bit cheaper and lighter. There are quite a few pot and stove combos that rival the Jetboil. The Jetboils efficiency is not from it's stove, but from the heat exchange.

 

[COlineman78]

Watch the new Gritty Bowmen on stoves to hear Aron's view on all of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k0AfWqY5dw

Spoiler: He doesn't like Jetboil.

 

[ozyclint]

i don't suppose the jetboil burnt out heat exchange rings are a result of not following the instructions, like not melting snow at full throttle?