Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting MSR Reactor and Hilleberg Soulo

Im looking for the lightest and most reliable stove available. Same goes for a single man tent. I would like to know if any of you guys have used the MSR Reactor and Hilleberg Soulo? What are your likes and dislike? What would be suggested? This gear would be used for hunts in all conditions (all purpose gear)
Thanx

The Reactor is a semi-lightweight option, and then only when you're talking very long trips with fuel efficiency concerns. If you want the lightest stove and tent, and function in all conditions you'll need more than one stove and tent. That said, if I had to pick one stove it'd be the Soto OD-1R, and a single one man tent probably the Akto or Unna.

Welcome to the Campfire Coonass. You can (and should) spend DAYS reading old threads here about tents and stoves. Some very good knowledge has been shared already, and ultimately, it boils down to what YOU intend to use them for.

I own a Soulo, and think it's a superb winter tent. It would be too hot and lack the ventilation you'd want for LA in the warm months however. Tents rated as "four season" means they can handle snow loads and wind better than three season tents, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're perfect for all four seasons. There are many good three season tents on the market, and they'd probably suit your needs better unless you plan to hunt out west at higher elevations.

Here's a great video review of the Soulo, being tested where it can really shows its strengths and features.
Soulo

I don't own an MSR Reactor, but as a gear geek, I've been tempted. IF you're looking for the lightest and simplest stove, strongly consider these two.

http://www.end2endtrailsupply.com/Gram_Weenie_PRO.html

http://www.whiteboxstoves.com

For basic water boiling they can't be beat for weight, simplicity, and price. In your warm climate they'd shine.

For canister fuel stoves you've got lots of options. Same with liquid fuel.

Enjoy reading up on the old threads. You'll quickly learn there's no one right answer. You might also find yourself building a collection of gear for various conditions/scenarios.

Thanks for the advice 222Rem. The video on the soulo is what actually had me very interested in this tent. I watched it at least half a dozen times in the past week. This tent would most certainly not be the tent of choice down south. I plan on using it out west like you mentioned. I was also interested in the Nallo 2 but decided against it because it is not free standing and may be an issue in tight rocky terrain. You mention you were a "gear geek" well that basically is what my wife and hunting crew calls me (the gear guy). Most of the hunting done south of course is still hunting and my experience hunting by backpack is very limited. I've hunted out west a handful of times but never DIY. The problems is, I'm obsessed with a true hardcore balls to the walls backpack hunt. Ive humped up and down mountains in NM and CO it made a huge impression on my future hunts. It seems that is the kind of hunting I was longing for. A breath of fresh air so to speak. Anyways I was suggested to look at the Reactor by another pack hunter because of the quick boil time at high elevations. You mention "fuel stoves" and "liquid fuel". What would be the pros and cons of the two?
Thanx

Canister fuel stoves are "instant on," and usually pretty simple to operate. Some of them, like the Reactor, are also very fuel efficient. Generally, they don't do as well as temps reach freezing and below, and when you run a canister dry, you're stuck carrying dead weight. It's also a guessing game with exactly how much fuel you've got--------a possible concern on longer trips.

Liquid fuel stoves take some skill and finesse to operate, have more moving parts (to break and maintain), do much better in cold weather and run on naptha/white gas/Coleman fuel which is cheaper to burn. The user can also monitor the fuel levels in his bottles and know exactly how much cooking he's got left in his trip. Empty bottles are reused instead of pitched.

I've got one canister stove------a Jetboil, but six liquid fuel stoves if I count correctly.

I have a Reactor, and I also have the Soto that SnowyMountaineer mentioned. The only time I use the Reactor is on long hunts with a partner. It's too heavy for short trips or long solo trips. It is, however, very fuel efficient...

Scott

Any of you use canister stoves in 20 degree weather?

I have had, and still have, some top end tents, if you are looking for the "lightest" then look no further than Terra nova, they have various ultra light 1 and 2 man tents I have had Photon/laser/laser comp. The laser is a 2 man tent but comes in at just over 1kg and is a palace for 1 person, the new(er) version is double entry and I am looking at getting another because of this feature.The Akto is legendary but can have condensation issues if care is not taken with the pitch (but this is true of all tents). The golite shangri la (3) is a differant beast altogether, this is more of a modular tent than any other in that you can buy individualy the outer/inner and the tub and use it in any combination you wish. Then you have the TT scarp 1+2 this is IMO "better" than the AKTO and is my choice for the "best" allround tent.
Stoves as others have mentioned is more about what and were you are going to be, if its just water for rehydrating then anything that will heat water up will do, but if its for cooking then flame control is IMO more important. FWIW I use a pocket rocket and wind shield and have no complaints, a friend has the MSR and whist it does as the label says, its heavy.

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Yes pocket rocket - i sleep w/ the cannister in my bag.

I start coffee laying in bed -the heat feels good when getting dressed.

ol_mike,

Excuse me for my ignorance, but what is "coffee laying"?

I think he meant to say he lays in his sleeping bag while his coffee is brewing. The heat from brewing his coffee warms his tent?

MtnHtr

I have the Reactor and really like it. I keep wanting to leave it behind for the lighter/less bulky options, but when I'm taking my daughter (8yo), it's a huge help. First, it's superfast. Second, the pot that comes with it is 1.5L with a long handle, which makes it easy to get water from a stream. Plus, I always camp with a fire, and the large volume pot allows me to bring lots of water in to put out the fire when I leave. The pot also has a built in windscreen, so you don't have to worry about that. I still carry the Ti Gigapower stove and a Ti pot when I'm by myself, but miss the speed and capacity of the Reactor.
I've had a Soulo and sold it. I kinda of regret that, but with my camping in Georgia, it was too small for me (I'm 6') and I was touching tent walls, and not ventillated enough. I much prefer an Allak with the two vestibules....much better ventillation. For my Georgia camping in all but the winter, I like my Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 for me, the daughter and dog.
Don