Gas efficiency reaches new heights with the EtaPackLite
Primus reveals high power, low consumption EtaPackLite & more
Gear news
17 July 2008 08:40
Fresh from the Primus stand there are three exciting new developments from their stoves, headtorch and outdoor-eating ranges. (Reporting from Friedrichshafen in Germany at the 2008 OutDoor show.)
The most revolutionary newcomer is the EtaPackLite stove (above and below, packed), the latest in their high-efficiency Eta range. The whole stove, non-stick, titanium-coated pan, piezo ignition, windshield, bowl and lid combo weighs less than 600g and will retail for 75 quidwhen it hits shops next January.
Primus' rippled-bottomed 1.2L pan pan increases the rate that heat gets transfered from the burner to your water or food from the normal rate of 40-50% to 80%, saving you fuel costs, carrying weight and bulk, and reducing your impact on the environment. It takes 2.5 minutes to boil 1 litre of water and normal usage for 2 people will see it last for 3 days of backpacking with one tiny 100g LP gas cylinder.
The pan is also available to buy alone so you can increase the efficiency of your old stove by a whopping 50%.
Next, Primus showed us the TriLite, the latest bombproof, lightweight stove. At 198g it's almost three times the weight of stoves like the super-light 74g Optimus Crux Lite but for its 90 pound price tag it boasts a robust, high-quality titanium build, four compact, fold-out arms for maximum pan-stability and a piezo ignition and takes 3 minutes to boil 1 litre of water.
Later we'll post a video of the EtaPackLite and TriLite stoves in action as demo-ed by product manager Niklas live at the show later today so keep your eyes on the gear blog. He says, "It's a small design team at Primus and my favourite part of the EtaPackLite is the way it all fits together so neatly in one container."
Primus' Product Manager Niklas talks us through the stove.
Early 2009 will also see the launch of two lighter, smaller, more efficient water-restistant headtorches from the brand. The PrimeLite E and PE both take 2xAAAs and use one rather than 5 LEDs to light up rock-infested mountain paths with 40 lumens of bright light for 50 and 70m respectively for up to 18 hours.
The PE version also has an anti-slip rubber surround and flashing SOS mode which explains its 30 pound price tag, a fiver higher than the E headtorch.
Lastly they showed us the Meal Set, a camp-crockery combo that could have been designed by NASA, also out in Jan 09. Eight durable, hygenic polypropylene (that's dishwasher-safe plastic to normal people) unpack to perform 15 different functions.
Our favourites were the seive/cheese grater design, and the salt, pepper and herb shaker hidden amongst the two bowls, chopping board, spork, sauce bottle and container-cup.