Optimus Nova and Optimus Nova+ (Versus Primus Omnifuel...kinda)

A thread a few things down, an didn't want to double post into the other thread. This is more a comparison and clarification of the differences between the Optimus Nova, and the recently released Optimus Nova+

This deserves some review. There is now the "Optimus Nova+", as opposed to the "Optimus Nova". Anyone got the newest and latest yet?

Big difference is that it looks like they axed the two fuel controls - like the Primus, there was one at the tank, and one at the stove. Now it appears there is a single valve, twist style on the line, at the fuel tank and that's it. The leg's also look to be extended and more curled to provide more stove-ground contact.

This means the entire thing will fold up alot smaller because the rod that used to have the second fuel control is now gone - the fuel line goes straight to the priming pad

I am curious as to how these modifications have affected a few things:
1) The effect of a single valve on temperature control
2) If placing the fuel line that close to the heat will cause it to wear out sooner
3) The simmer control (see #1)

If someone could let us know how the new version of Nova rates it would be awesome!

In principle, the single valve per se should have no effect on temperature control or simmering. However, fuel valves at the fuel tank do add a bit of delay to the reaction to the adjustment compared to valves that are right at the burner. That is, you make the adjustment and there is a short delay until you see the effect. In practice, this doesn't really make the difference, compared to other features of the valve design. Some of the old "suitcase" Optimus stoves had the valve effectively right at the burner, but had a noticeable delay from valve twist to flame response. And compressed gas stoves with remote canisters show essentially no delay, even though the valve is at the canister. You will have to do a bit of experimenting under different conditions to really answer this, keeping in mind that different operators seem to get different results, even using the same stove.

The positive side, though, is that a single valve requires less maintenance, especially when the valve at the burner was a needle valve. There is a tendency for needle valves at the burner to require frequent disassembly and cleaning off the lacquer buildup, if you don't follow the correct shutdown procedure. The MSR Dragonfly is one of the worst in this respect, while the Primus multifuel stoves are better, with their "flipover" shutoff at the tank.

I must say, however, that without actually disassembling the fuel feed system, I am not sure how the flow control works. Note that with the + version, you control fuel flow by twisting the fuel line. So it is not clear to me whether the valve is a needle valve in the line (appears to be) or something like the faucets I am installing in my re-built house, and whether the effective variable opening is at the tank or burner end of the line. But, on your question 2, I do not think the proximity to the burner and heat will affect the life of the fuel line. It would take a few years of use to find out.

Here is a test of the Nova +:
http://tinyurl.com/4jl5ez

I have had several problems with my original Nova, which I have mentioned elsewhere already. I don't consider it reliable and wouldn't take it anywhere without the tool kit and a backup stove.

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