Review: The Soto Amicus
Who is making the highest lineament backpacking stoves available today? At to the lowest degree inward the US market, it's Soto Outdoors of Japan. Their latest entry is the Soto Amicus (OD-1NV), an upright canister stove.
Note: In add-on to this review, I have got 2 preliminary posts on the Soto Amicus that incorporate additional information in addition to photographs:
What's an upright canister stove? Please consider my recent weblog post: What is a Remote Canister Stove? which describes the 2 major types of canister gas stoves (upright in addition to remote) in addition to lists the advantages in addition to disadvantages of each. It's worth knowing the difference.
Overview
The Soto Amicus is a small, relatively lightweight, relatively cheap upright canister stove. There are dozens of such stoves available on the marketplace today. How is the Amicus whatever different from whatever other stove? Well, the Amicus is the best built of the lot in addition to has a actually prissy design, but that's non what sets it apart. Soto claims that they have got developed a novel type of burner head, 1 that tin grip air current improve than other stoves. This windproofness would laid the Amicus apart from other stoves. So, either the Amicus handles air current improve or it's actually zero special. Therefore, air current testing was the major focus of my acre testing. Is Soto just "blowing smoke" or are they actually on to something here?
See the sections on "Wind Testing" in addition to "The Bottom Line inward Wind," below.
Build Quality
Who is the largest auto maker inward the world? Well, it used to move General Motors, an American corporation, but now, it's Toyota, a Japanese corporation. Why? They create a improve automobile. We've seen this transition from American corporations to Japanese corporations inward many fields such equally bicycles, electronics, angling gear, etc. Typically, the Japanese engineering, ergonomics, in addition to create lineament is just plainly better, in addition to people are willing to pay to a greater extent than for it.
We may forthwith move seeing this tendency inward backpacking gear equally well. Montbell (of Japan) is a much sought afterwards create amidst backpackers inward the know. Evernew (again, of Japan) makes some of the best ultralight titanium pots. And Soto makes the best backpacking stoves available today.
Pot Supports
Soto's engineering in addition to create lineament is beyond reproach, but that doesn't hateful that they've ever read the marketplace perfectly. Their firstly upright canister stove available inward the United States, the Micro Regulator, was a practiced stove in addition to was met alongside broad acceptance, but at that topographic point were those who found the pot supports "fiddly" (they had to move firstly moved to a especial spot on their arms in addition to and then rotated into place) in addition to didn't similar that sometimes the pot supports would flop downward when at that topographic point was no pot on when the stove was moved.
.
Soto in addition to then came out alongside the WindMaster, which I consider to move the best upright canister stove available inward the US marketplace today. For those who are interested, I have a review of the Soto WindMaster available hither on my blog. Again though, the pot supports were "different." They detached when the stove was packed away. The detachable pot supports could easily be lost if 1 were non careful. I myself was non bothered past times this; I only used a micro carabiner to clip the detached pot back upwardly to the valve grip of the stove the infinitesimal I took the pot back upwardly off. However, a lot of people just absolutely hated this feature.
On this, the Soto Amicus, Soto's tertiary entry of this type into the US market, I recollect they've in conclusion gotten it right. One does rotate the back upwardly into place, but on the Amicus, 1 does non have got to bring out the "sweet spot" on the pot back upwardly to learn it to rotate. One only pushes it upwardly into house inward 1 smooth, effortless motion, and, 1 time inward place, they're non going anywhere. One has to force upwardly in addition to and then force out, against the outflow loading, to retract the pot support. It's slow to retract the pot support, but it's unlikely to guide house on its own.
The pot supports are literally so elementary that a shaver could do it.
And they work. Not entirely are they slow to extend in addition to retract, non entirely do they remain inward house 1 time set, they're just danged practiced pot supports. Of its class, the Amicus has the best pot stability that I've seen. The WindMaster, if 1 gets the optional 4Flex pot support, has far improve pot stability, but the WindMaster is a larger, to a greater extent than powerful, ultralight stove in addition to is actually non inward the same shape equally the smaller, budget minded Amicus. The entirely stove that actually comes some the Amicus inward this shape is the Snow Peak GigaPower.
Part of why the Amicus has such practiced pot stability is that it has non the typical iii but rather iv pot supports. The Amicus also has to a greater extent than "teeth" on it's pot supports than most stoves, in addition to those teeth are exactly made, gripping pots better. Many pot supports on other stoves are a flake rounded off, in addition to they just don't steal equally well.
Now, I've said that the Amicus has practiced pot stability. Does that hateful you lot tin usage whatever size pot you lot like? Probably not. Something on the social club of a 3L pot is in all probability a practical upper limit, in addition to you'd desire to move careful when stirring. I compared the pot stability of the Amicus to each of the next stoves. The Amicus had improve pot stability alongside a wider hit of pots than whatever of these stoves except the WindMaster (with 4Flex back upwardly mounted) although the GigaPower came close:
The Amicus is a fairly modest stove. It's almost the width of my hand.
When the pot supports are folded away, it packs downward pretty small. It fits easily inward a 550 ml mug type pot. However note: While I could learn the Amicus in addition to a 110 g sized canister of fuel into the 550 ml mug type pot, I could non unopen the lid. However also note, I'm non aware of any stove that could fit inward my petty mug type pot along alongside a 110g canister alongside the lid closed although the Snow Peak LiteMax comes real very close. Even the Optimus Crux, which is a pretty apartment stove when the burner is folded, cannot fit inward this 550 ml mug alongside a canister in addition to have got the lid closed. The Amicus is almost equally packable equally an MSR Micro Rocket. A Snow Peak GigaPower is slightly to a greater extent than compact. An Amicus far more compact than the MSR Pocket Rocket. The Soto Amicis is to a greater extent than compact than either the Soto Micro Regulator or the Soto WindMaster.
Special Features
One of the outstanding features of the Soto draw of upright canister stoves is their "Stealth" piezoelectric ignition system. The wire is run up through the burner column (rather than existence on the outside), in addition to the spark indicate is inward the optic of the burner rather on the rim. The Soto ignition is far less probable to snag on things in addition to is less obtrusive.
With the spark indicate of the Stealth ignition located inward the optic of the burner, it is non direct inward the flame, giving it an border inward reliability over other ignition systems.
Of all the stoves I have got inward my collection that have got diverse forms of piezoelectric ignitions (I have got at to the lowest degree 10), the Soto ignition organization is far in addition to away the most reliable, most sophisticated, in addition to to the lowest degree obtrusive. No 1 else inward the manufacture fifty-fifty comes some the lineament in addition to reliability of the Soto Stealth Ignition.
That said, "good" in addition to "perfect" are non 1 inward the same. The Stealth ignition is the best inward the occupation concern (nobody else actually comes close), but fifty-fifty the best ignition is discipline to breakage or failure. Always comport a instant (or third) source of ignition such equally a lighter, matches, or dismiss steel.
Note that the Stealth ignition is optional. A version of the Soto Amicus is available without the ignition.
Weight
Per the Soto website:
The weight of the Amicus is to a greater extent than oftentimes than non inward draw alongside other stoves of its class, withal at that topographic point are higher destination stoves similar the Snow Peak LiteMax that are quite a flake lighter. There are also some actually cheap stoves coming out of PRC similar the FMS-116T at 1.7 oz/48 g (sold inward the US equally the Olicamp Kinetic Ultra), the FMS-300T at 1.6 oz/45g (sold inward the US equally the Olicamp Ion Micro), or the incredibly lite BRS-3000T at 0.9 oz/25 g. Note withal that none of the stoves out of PRC has anywhere close equally practiced pot stability, in addition to neither do they have got the sophisticated ignition of a Soto stove. But each to his or her ain I suppose.
In addition, it is worth noting that Nippon has some of the highest gas stove security standards inward the world. I am non aware of whatever Chinese stoves that have got been able to run across the strict Japanese standards. I have got seen some US (Coleman) in addition to European (Primus) brands on my trips to Japan.
The BRS-3000T is non to my noesis certified to operate inward the US. You tin learn 1 sort of "under the table" on eBay or Amazon, but no society sells it inward the US. If the stove causes an injury or fails, you lot have got petty legal recourse.
Cooking Ability
Canister gas stoves to a greater extent than oftentimes than non create well. They have got a highly adjustable flame. If you lot accommodate the open fire good in addition to have got appropriate cookware, at that topographic point isn't actually much inward the agency of limitations to what you lot tin cook. The Amicus is no exception. On the Amicus, I was able to learn a barely at that topographic point open fire capable of a real depression simmer.
Wind Testing
OK, forthwith to the pump of the matter. As I said inward the beginning, either the Amicus lives upwardly to its claims of windproofness or there's actually zero that sets it apart from a whole host of similar stoves. Sure, the Amicus has improve create lineament in addition to the actually prissy Stealth ignition – which absolutely should move considered when evaluating a stove, but those qualities lonely aren't plenty to create the Amicus genuinely stand upwardly out. On the other hand, Superior air current resistance would absolutely position the Amicus ahead of the pack.
But first, why should anyone tending almost wind? Well, inward the extreme, a stove tin just plainly blow out, in addition to blow out so oftentimes that 1 just can't create alongside it. See the rather dramatic firstly video in Windburner vs. Jetboil Wind Testing.
But that's the extreme case. What almost to a greater extent than typical winds? Well, depending on the circumstances, air current tin actually cutting your fuel economy. Instead of the oestrus going into the pot, the oestrus gets blown out in addition to away in addition to is wasted. Whereas you lot powerfulness commonly move able to boil 500 ml of H2O alongside vii g of fuel, inward wind, you lot powerfulness bring 10 or xi g of fuel. If you lot commonly usage 25 g of fuel per day, you're on a iv solar daytime trip, in addition to you're carrying a 110 g canister of fuel, you lot can't afford to move burning an extra 3 to 4 g of fuel per 500 ml boiled. At 3 to 4 g extra per 500 ml boiled, you're talking almost something similar half-dozen to 8 g extra of fuel per solar daytime which over iv days equates to 24 to 32 g to a greater extent than fuel needed than usual – you're going to run out of fuel earlier the destination of your trip!
Note: The higher upwardly numbers are intended to move illustrative. I chose 25 g per solar daytime because 25 is slow to piece of work alongside when you lot have got a iv solar daytime trip in addition to canisters are betwixt 100 g in addition to 110 g inward capacity. They are reasonable numbers, but they are non not actual observations. See Calculating the Fuel Needed for a Trip for how to calculate gas consumption for a trip and for how I got the quantity 25 g.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 stove alongside improve air current treatment has to a greater extent than constant fuel consumption which allows you lot to programme to a greater extent than accurately so that you lot don't run out of fuel. Of course of teaching you're going pick a sheltered spot to create in addition to all that, but still, air current tin create your stove unpredictable. So a stove that tin grip air current good is a desirable thing.
So, how did the Amicus do? Well, banking concern check out the below video. I'm just using my iPhone to shoot the video, so you'll have got to plough upwardly the sound.
Basically, I found Soto's claims to move true. This isn't all that surprising given that I had already established that their WindMaster was improve inward air current than other stoves. See the video inward my review of the Soto WindMaster. But I couldn't just assume that the Amicus would move equally good. Yes, the Amicus did have got the same type of semi-enclosed, concave burner head, but the Amicus' caput was smaller in addition to further away from the pot.
How did I found that Soto's claims of superior air current treatment are true? By running simultaneous exam afterwards exam afterwards test.
My "baseline" stove was the Optimus Crux. Both the Crux in addition to the Amicus are rated at 10,200 BTU's. In silent air, they both boil H2O inward almost the same time; there's no pregnant departure inward boil fourth dimension betwixt the two.
However, equally presently equally the air current kicked up, the Soto Amicus ever pulled out ahead. Both stoves took longer to boil inward wind, but the Crux was far to a greater extent than affected. Just inward observing the flame, I could consider that the Amicus' open fire was far less affected past times wind.
Not entirely could I visually bring out that the Amicus' open fire was far less affected, I could run the Amicus at a far lower setting. As depression equally I could plough downward the flame, the Amicus never blew out. Not so alongside the opened upwardly burner Crux. I was doing a simmer exam alongside the Crux, the open fire was steady in addition to had been running for some time, but when a gust of air current came through, the Crux blew out, in addition to I had to re-light the stove.
But it is the boil times that speak the loudest. The commonly equal Amicus would boil twoscore to 45 seconds faster than the Crux inward moderate winds alongside occasional gusts. Clearly, the Amicus is the improve stove inward wind.
Are these results fairly universal? I hateful I just tested the Amicus against 1 stove, right? Well, it is truthful that I did exam against just 1 stove, but burner heads are fairly generic. With opened upwardly burner heads, the flames are just to a greater extent than vulnerable. In addition, I got the same results alongside the WindMaster (which was tested against a different stove). The Windmaster has the same type of burner caput equally the Amicus. I am thus pretty confident that the Amicus volition fare improve inward air current than whatever unprotected burner head.
Now, does this hateful that you lot tin create inward gale forcefulness winds alongside the Amicus? Uh, no. If you lot desire that sort of windproofness, you've got to learn alongside something similar the MSR Windburner or the MSR Reactor.
The Bottom Line inward Wind
The Amicus volition move far to a greater extent than consistent in addition to predictable than other stoves, giving you lot the powerfulness to a) plan to a greater extent than accurately, b) conserve fuel, in addition to c) simmer improve inward wind.
Price
The $40 MSRP of the Amicus (without ignition, add together $5 for the ignition version) is something of a firstly for Soto. Soto has heretofore introduced fairly high destination stoves. Their firstly upright canister stove available was the Micro Regulator, MSRP $70, in addition to their instant was the WindMaster, MSRP $75. The Amicus, alongside ignition, has an MSRP of $45, in addition to without ignition, the MSRP is $40. This is a huge outflow inward affordability for a Soto stove, in addition to you're getting a heck of a lot of lineament in addition to functionality for that depression price.
As of vii Dec 2017, Backcountry Edge has the Soto Amicus on sale for $31.96 without ignition or $35.96 for the version alongside the ignition. That is a steal of a deal.
Note: I have got a) no fiscal human relationship alongside Backcountry Edge, in addition to b) I have got never purchased anything from them. This is just information; this is non a recommendation. Caveat emptor.
Summary – The Soto Amicus
What's practiced almost it?
What's non so practiced almost it?
The Soto Amicus: Highly recommended
In conclusion, equally I reverberate on the Soto Amicus, I bring out that at that topographic point isn't much that I dislike almost it except that maybe it could move a flake lighter. It's a prissy stove that's caput in addition to shoulders higher upwardly the other stoves inward its class.
As always, I give thank you lot you for joining me.
HJ
Appendix I – Technical Data
Manufacturer: Soto Outdoors
Date Available: Currently available
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.sotooutdoors.com
MSRP: $40 (no ignition); $45 (with Stealth ignition)
Weight (measured): 78 g/2.8 oz
Materials: Primarily steel
Packed dimensions: 1 9/16" x 1 9/16" x 2 7/8" (40 mm x twoscore mm x 73 mm).
Unpacked dimensions: 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" x 3 5/16" (105 mm x 105 mm x 84 mm).
Size/Model tested: The version alongside the Stealth ignition.
Requirements: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 measure threaded canister of gas (sold separately).
Warranty Information: Contact Soto Outdoors through their website (see above).
Colors available: Silver.
Appendix II – Disclosures
The stove used inward this review was provided past times Soto Outdoors at no cost to me. Inasmuch equally I ain iii other Soto stoves equally good equally over 100 other stoves of diverse types, sizes, in addition to vintages, a costless stove is highly unlikely to influence my review 1 agency or the other. I have got reviewed this stove equally objectively equally I am able. I have got had no occupation concern dealings alongside Soto Outdoors other than to contact them inward social club to obtain the stove used inward this review. I have no remuneration from Soto or anyone else for my reviews. I have no do goodness when person purchases a Soto stove. I do ain multiple Soto stoves; all such stoves were obtained through tertiary parties except the stove used inward this review.
In addition, just so you lot know, I earn real petty from this weblog – typically almost a dollar a day, maybe a petty more. I've earned $30.71 according to Google for this month. That's plenty to pay for hosting fees in addition to for fuel, so inward that feel the weblog is self-supporting, but that amount of coin is nothing when 1 has a solid unit of measurement of iii to feed, house, etc. Basically, this is my oddball petty hobby, in addition to that's almost all it is.
Appendix III – Calculating Fuel Needs
This department has been moved to a split upwardly weblog post: Calculating Fuel Needs.
Note: In add-on to this review, I have got 2 preliminary posts on the Soto Amicus that incorporate additional information in addition to photographs:
 |
| The novel Soto Amicus |
Overview
The Soto Amicus is a small, relatively lightweight, relatively cheap upright canister stove. There are dozens of such stoves available on the marketplace today. How is the Amicus whatever different from whatever other stove? Well, the Amicus is the best built of the lot in addition to has a actually prissy design, but that's non what sets it apart. Soto claims that they have got developed a novel type of burner head, 1 that tin grip air current improve than other stoves. This windproofness would laid the Amicus apart from other stoves. So, either the Amicus handles air current improve or it's actually zero special. Therefore, air current testing was the major focus of my acre testing. Is Soto just "blowing smoke" or are they actually on to something here?
See the sections on "Wind Testing" in addition to "The Bottom Line inward Wind," below.
 |
| Simul-testing the Soto Amicus vs. the Optimus Crux at Crystal Cove State Park |
Who is the largest auto maker inward the world? Well, it used to move General Motors, an American corporation, but now, it's Toyota, a Japanese corporation. Why? They create a improve automobile. We've seen this transition from American corporations to Japanese corporations inward many fields such equally bicycles, electronics, angling gear, etc. Typically, the Japanese engineering, ergonomics, in addition to create lineament is just plainly better, in addition to people are willing to pay to a greater extent than for it.
We may forthwith move seeing this tendency inward backpacking gear equally well. Montbell (of Japan) is a much sought afterwards create amidst backpackers inward the know. Evernew (again, of Japan) makes some of the best ultralight titanium pots. And Soto makes the best backpacking stoves available today.
 |
| The Soto Amicus deserves an abide by for excellence inward engineering. Such attending to detail. |
Soto's engineering in addition to create lineament is beyond reproach, but that doesn't hateful that they've ever read the marketplace perfectly. Their firstly upright canister stove available inward the United States, the Micro Regulator, was a practiced stove in addition to was met alongside broad acceptance, but at that topographic point were those who found the pot supports "fiddly" (they had to move firstly moved to a especial spot on their arms in addition to and then rotated into place) in addition to didn't similar that sometimes the pot supports would flop downward when at that topographic point was no pot on when the stove was moved.
.
Soto in addition to then came out alongside the WindMaster, which I consider to move the best upright canister stove available inward the US marketplace today. For those who are interested, I have a review of the Soto WindMaster available hither on my blog. Again though, the pot supports were "different." They detached when the stove was packed away. The detachable pot supports could easily be lost if 1 were non careful. I myself was non bothered past times this; I only used a micro carabiner to clip the detached pot back upwardly to the valve grip of the stove the infinitesimal I took the pot back upwardly off. However, a lot of people just absolutely hated this feature.
On this, the Soto Amicus, Soto's tertiary entry of this type into the US market, I recollect they've in conclusion gotten it right. One does rotate the back upwardly into place, but on the Amicus, 1 does non have got to bring out the "sweet spot" on the pot back upwardly to learn it to rotate. One only pushes it upwardly into house inward 1 smooth, effortless motion, and, 1 time inward place, they're non going anywhere. One has to force upwardly in addition to and then force out, against the outflow loading, to retract the pot support. It's slow to retract the pot support, but it's unlikely to guide house on its own.
 |
| The outflow loaded pot back upwardly rotates into house inward 1 shine motion in addition to and then clicks onto a claw in addition to stays put. Nice. |
 |
| The pot supports? So slow that a shaver tin do it. |
Part of why the Amicus has such practiced pot stability is that it has non the typical iii but rather iv pot supports. The Amicus also has to a greater extent than "teeth" on it's pot supports than most stoves, in addition to those teeth are exactly made, gripping pots better. Many pot supports on other stoves are a flake rounded off, in addition to they just don't steal equally well.
 |
| My miss demonstrating the stability of the Soto Amicus alongside a 1.9 L pot, which is a pretty practiced sized pot for such a petty stove – but it's actually non a occupation alongside the Amicus. |
- MSR Micro Rocket
- MSR Pocket Rocket
- Optimus Crux
- Snow Peak LiteMax
- Snow Peak GigaPower
- Soto Micro Regulator
- Soto WindMaster
The Amicus is a fairly modest stove. It's almost the width of my hand.
 |
| The diminutive Amicus. It packs downward small. |
 |
| The Soto Amicus inward a modest 550 ml mug type pot. |
One of the outstanding features of the Soto draw of upright canister stoves is their "Stealth" piezoelectric ignition system. The wire is run up through the burner column (rather than existence on the outside), in addition to the spark indicate is inward the optic of the burner rather on the rim. The Soto ignition is far less probable to snag on things in addition to is less obtrusive.
 |
| The elementary blood-red clit in addition to housing of the Amicus' first-class piezoelectric ignition. Notice how at that topographic point are no exposed wires in addition to that at that topographic point is zero mounted to the side of the burner. |
 |
| The silvery strip of metallic inward the optic of the burner caput is the spark indicate of the Amicus' first-class Stealth piezoelectric ignition. |
That said, "good" in addition to "perfect" are non 1 inward the same. The Stealth ignition is the best inward the occupation concern (nobody else actually comes close), but fifty-fifty the best ignition is discipline to breakage or failure. Always comport a instant (or third) source of ignition such equally a lighter, matches, or dismiss steel.
Note that the Stealth ignition is optional. A version of the Soto Amicus is available without the ignition.
Weight
Per the Soto website:
- The Soto Amicus weighs 2.6 oz/75 g inward the version without the Stealth ignition.
- The Soto Amicus weighs 2.9 oz/81 g inward the version alongside the Stealth ignition.
| Stove | Grams | Ounces |
| Soto WindMaster (with ignition) | 66 | 2.3 |
| Soto Micro Regulator (with ignition) | 69 | 2.4 |
| MSR Micro Rocket (no ignition) | 73 | 2.6 |
| Soto Amicus (with ignition) | 78 | 2.8 |
| Snow Peak Gigapower (no ignition) | 86 | 3.0 |
| MSR Pocket Rocket (no ignition) | 86 | 3.0 |
| Optimus Crux (no ignition) | 88 | 3.1 |
The weight of the Amicus is to a greater extent than oftentimes than non inward draw alongside other stoves of its class, withal at that topographic point are higher destination stoves similar the Snow Peak LiteMax that are quite a flake lighter. There are also some actually cheap stoves coming out of PRC similar the FMS-116T at 1.7 oz/48 g (sold inward the US equally the Olicamp Kinetic Ultra), the FMS-300T at 1.6 oz/45g (sold inward the US equally the Olicamp Ion Micro), or the incredibly lite BRS-3000T at 0.9 oz/25 g. Note withal that none of the stoves out of PRC has anywhere close equally practiced pot stability, in addition to neither do they have got the sophisticated ignition of a Soto stove. But each to his or her ain I suppose.
In addition, it is worth noting that Nippon has some of the highest gas stove security standards inward the world. I am non aware of whatever Chinese stoves that have got been able to run across the strict Japanese standards. I have got seen some US (Coleman) in addition to European (Primus) brands on my trips to Japan.
The BRS-3000T is non to my noesis certified to operate inward the US. You tin learn 1 sort of "under the table" on eBay or Amazon, but no society sells it inward the US. If the stove causes an injury or fails, you lot have got petty legal recourse.
Cooking Ability
Canister gas stoves to a greater extent than oftentimes than non create well. They have got a highly adjustable flame. If you lot accommodate the open fire good in addition to have got appropriate cookware, at that topographic point isn't actually much inward the agency of limitations to what you lot tin cook. The Amicus is no exception. On the Amicus, I was able to learn a barely at that topographic point open fire capable of a real depression simmer.
Wind Testing
OK, forthwith to the pump of the matter. As I said inward the beginning, either the Amicus lives upwardly to its claims of windproofness or there's actually zero that sets it apart from a whole host of similar stoves. Sure, the Amicus has improve create lineament in addition to the actually prissy Stealth ignition – which absolutely should move considered when evaluating a stove, but those qualities lonely aren't plenty to create the Amicus genuinely stand upwardly out. On the other hand, Superior air current resistance would absolutely position the Amicus ahead of the pack.
But first, why should anyone tending almost wind? Well, inward the extreme, a stove tin just plainly blow out, in addition to blow out so oftentimes that 1 just can't create alongside it. See the rather dramatic firstly video in Windburner vs. Jetboil Wind Testing.
But that's the extreme case. What almost to a greater extent than typical winds? Well, depending on the circumstances, air current tin actually cutting your fuel economy. Instead of the oestrus going into the pot, the oestrus gets blown out in addition to away in addition to is wasted. Whereas you lot powerfulness commonly move able to boil 500 ml of H2O alongside vii g of fuel, inward wind, you lot powerfulness bring 10 or xi g of fuel. If you lot commonly usage 25 g of fuel per day, you're on a iv solar daytime trip, in addition to you're carrying a 110 g canister of fuel, you lot can't afford to move burning an extra 3 to 4 g of fuel per 500 ml boiled. At 3 to 4 g extra per 500 ml boiled, you're talking almost something similar half-dozen to 8 g extra of fuel per solar daytime which over iv days equates to 24 to 32 g to a greater extent than fuel needed than usual – you're going to run out of fuel earlier the destination of your trip!
Note: The higher upwardly numbers are intended to move illustrative. I chose 25 g per solar daytime because 25 is slow to piece of work alongside when you lot have got a iv solar daytime trip in addition to canisters are betwixt 100 g in addition to 110 g inward capacity. They are reasonable numbers, but they are non not actual observations. See Calculating the Fuel Needed for a Trip for how to calculate gas consumption for a trip and for how I got the quantity 25 g.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 stove alongside improve air current treatment has to a greater extent than constant fuel consumption which allows you lot to programme to a greater extent than accurately so that you lot don't run out of fuel. Of course of teaching you're going pick a sheltered spot to create in addition to all that, but still, air current tin create your stove unpredictable. So a stove that tin grip air current good is a desirable thing.
So, how did the Amicus do? Well, banking concern check out the below video. I'm just using my iPhone to shoot the video, so you'll have got to plough upwardly the sound.
How did I found that Soto's claims of superior air current treatment are true? By running simultaneous exam afterwards exam afterwards test.
 |
| Side past times side, simultaneous testing of the Soto Amicus vs. the Optimus Crux. |
However, equally presently equally the air current kicked up, the Soto Amicus ever pulled out ahead. Both stoves took longer to boil inward wind, but the Crux was far to a greater extent than affected. Just inward observing the flame, I could consider that the Amicus' open fire was far less affected past times wind.
 |
| A highly trained Adventures inward Stoving engineer observing the open fire characteristics of the Soto Amicus inward wind. |
But it is the boil times that speak the loudest. The commonly equal Amicus would boil twoscore to 45 seconds faster than the Crux inward moderate winds alongside occasional gusts. Clearly, the Amicus is the improve stove inward wind.
Are these results fairly universal? I hateful I just tested the Amicus against 1 stove, right? Well, it is truthful that I did exam against just 1 stove, but burner heads are fairly generic. With opened upwardly burner heads, the flames are just to a greater extent than vulnerable. In addition, I got the same results alongside the WindMaster (which was tested against a different stove). The Windmaster has the same type of burner caput equally the Amicus. I am thus pretty confident that the Amicus volition fare improve inward air current than whatever unprotected burner head.
Now, does this hateful that you lot tin create inward gale forcefulness winds alongside the Amicus? Uh, no. If you lot desire that sort of windproofness, you've got to learn alongside something similar the MSR Windburner or the MSR Reactor.
The Bottom Line inward Wind
The Amicus volition move far to a greater extent than consistent in addition to predictable than other stoves, giving you lot the powerfulness to a) plan to a greater extent than accurately, b) conserve fuel, in addition to c) simmer improve inward wind.
Price
The $40 MSRP of the Amicus (without ignition, add together $5 for the ignition version) is something of a firstly for Soto. Soto has heretofore introduced fairly high destination stoves. Their firstly upright canister stove available was the Micro Regulator, MSRP $70, in addition to their instant was the WindMaster, MSRP $75. The Amicus, alongside ignition, has an MSRP of $45, in addition to without ignition, the MSRP is $40. This is a huge outflow inward affordability for a Soto stove, in addition to you're getting a heck of a lot of lineament in addition to functionality for that depression price.
As of vii Dec 2017, Backcountry Edge has the Soto Amicus on sale for $31.96 without ignition or $35.96 for the version alongside the ignition. That is a steal of a deal.
Note: I have got a) no fiscal human relationship alongside Backcountry Edge, in addition to b) I have got never purchased anything from them. This is just information; this is non a recommendation. Caveat emptor.
What's practiced almost it?
- Excellent create quality
- High lineament piezoelectric ignition system
- Best of breed pot stability
- Good packability/compactness
- Easy to use, good idea out pot supports (I recollect they in conclusion got it correct alongside the Amicus)
- Affordable (excellent value for the dollar compared to other major stove society prices)
- Clearly superior air current resistance
What's non so practiced almost it?
- It's a petty heavier than I would like.
The Soto Amicus: Highly recommended
In conclusion, equally I reverberate on the Soto Amicus, I bring out that at that topographic point isn't much that I dislike almost it except that maybe it could move a flake lighter. It's a prissy stove that's caput in addition to shoulders higher upwardly the other stoves inward its class.
As always, I give thank you lot you for joining me.
HJ
Appendix I – Technical Data
Manufacturer: Soto Outdoors
Date Available: Currently available
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.sotooutdoors.com
MSRP: $40 (no ignition); $45 (with Stealth ignition)
Weight (measured): 78 g/2.8 oz
Materials: Primarily steel
Packed dimensions: 1 9/16" x 1 9/16" x 2 7/8" (40 mm x twoscore mm x 73 mm).
Unpacked dimensions: 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" x 3 5/16" (105 mm x 105 mm x 84 mm).
Size/Model tested: The version alongside the Stealth ignition.
Requirements: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 measure threaded canister of gas (sold separately).
Warranty Information: Contact Soto Outdoors through their website (see above).
Colors available: Silver.
Appendix II – Disclosures
The stove used inward this review was provided past times Soto Outdoors at no cost to me. Inasmuch equally I ain iii other Soto stoves equally good equally over 100 other stoves of diverse types, sizes, in addition to vintages, a costless stove is highly unlikely to influence my review 1 agency or the other. I have got reviewed this stove equally objectively equally I am able. I have got had no occupation concern dealings alongside Soto Outdoors other than to contact them inward social club to obtain the stove used inward this review. I have no remuneration from Soto or anyone else for my reviews. I have no do goodness when person purchases a Soto stove. I do ain multiple Soto stoves; all such stoves were obtained through tertiary parties except the stove used inward this review.
In addition, just so you lot know, I earn real petty from this weblog – typically almost a dollar a day, maybe a petty more. I've earned $30.71 according to Google for this month. That's plenty to pay for hosting fees in addition to for fuel, so inward that feel the weblog is self-supporting, but that amount of coin is nothing when 1 has a solid unit of measurement of iii to feed, house, etc. Basically, this is my oddball petty hobby, in addition to that's almost all it is.
Appendix III – Calculating Fuel Needs
This department has been moved to a split upwardly weblog post: Calculating Fuel Needs.
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