The quality and thoroughness of your reviews are top notch! One thing about these types of cook systems, regardless of brand, is that practically every new backpacker that I come across seem to start out with these types of cooksets and they all seem to struggle using them in some way or another. 100%, I agree about the new handle on the Pro. Oh, and BTW, over the years I’ve given away dozens of diy, 36 gauge aluminum windscreens to folks wasting fuel while cooking or boiling under breezy conditions…
Excellent review as I’ve come to expect from you. I completely agree with your impressions re:handle. A sturdy handle while pouring boiling water is desirable.
Thank you for your review. As soon as I saw the handle I could see the problem, I would get the older one. If they add the old handle, they may have a winner.
Another thorough review, Mark! Not a system I'm liable to be looking at, but options are always nice to be aware of! If I WAS looking for such a system, that new handle is something I'd be taking a very careful look at. Not having held it in my hands, I don't know what my impression would be, but the concerns you raised on the sturdiness and comfort seem very legitimate to me, and I might well hold off on such a purchase until I was satisfied the company had addressed them. I actually like the look of the handle on the older model - change the color of the plastic on the handle to black to match the rest of the color scheme, and I'd be fine with it. Thanks again for the review!
Thank you for another great overview and comparison, Mark. It would be helpful to use a windscreen for both stoves to improve efficiency in windy conditions. I agree that the original handle design is sturdier and better, and that's not a good area to focus on weight reduction. I prefer the bright colours of the original set also, less chance of losing or misplacing a component.
Thanks for commenting Steve. BTW...picked a pound of chanterelles today and could have picked 10 lbs of ghost pipes just coming up. May make the nerve med yet
@@MarkYoungBushcraft I’ve had my first taste of Chanterelles for the season as well. I only pick a panfull at a time. They were delicious. I’ve been thinking more about trying to tincture the Ghost Pipe. I think taking your empty jar and alcohol into the woods is going to be the way I will try. Let me know how you make out with it and I’ll do the same.😊🍄
Just got the 2X. If you guys love the lid of the pro but want it for the 2X, buy the French press add on. It comes with a soft lid that snaps into place very similar to the pro. Biggest difference is the hole in the top for the press vs the little handle
I have the French Press lid but have not reviewed it as I had a complaint for it. The small hex-nut comes separate from the lid so that you have to place the nut in the recess on the lid before screwing the shaft in. My concern was in loosing the nut. I glued the nut into the lid but wanted Fire Maple to change the design. Is yours the same as mine? Thanks for commenting
After watching your review I think I like the handle on the old one better and the lid on the new one better.. The nottom of the pot sticking to the burner seems like that could be a problem as well. For me both are to big for me to take with me. Do like the idea of the bigger pot support. Some of the real small back packing stoves I have I use in my Chinese knock off firebox stove just for the bigger pot stand support. Thanks for your review. Nice to see what is available.
It's not a style/set-up I can see me using, but I appreciate the changes they made. As others have said, I don't see the necessity of a locking in pot to stove feature.. and then trying to unlock them to pour. The direction of the turn required to unlock the pot could just result in spinning off the gas canister. I prefer to just sit the pot on the stove.. it could sit in a recess rather than locking in, or have the lock in be more of a snug in.
I am not sure I mentioned. The pot does not need to be locked on to operate. I don't like locking mine either for the reasons mentioned. Thanks for commenting
Some nits need picking, on gear. Personally, I don't care for pots that lock on burners, having grown up on canteen cup and "Billie can" camp pots and skillets from G.I. mess kits. They are more flexible, from wood fires to alcohol burners, home-made or commercial, or "twig" stoves that take any wood at hand, to screw-on gas cartridge stoves that hide in a shirt pocket for size. A flat bottom pot is just tons more versatile to me. YMMV, but that's my .02 cents.
Great review Mark. Have you ever tried a Ghillie Kettle or Kelly Kettle? I picked one up a while ago and only recently got a chance to use it, and I was really impressed.
What do you think of Fixed Star 2 (original) vs. Polaris? Haven’t seen any comparison videos of those two on RUclips. Polaris is $20 more. Not sure if it’s worth it.
I would say it depends on when and where you will use the cook set. The pressure regulator on the Polaris works better in colder weather than the burner on the X2. If you don't intend on using it in cold weather, go with the X2. I think you just gave me an idea for a video. Thanks for commenting
Fire Maple have two stoves systems with remote canister setup but one is radiant heat and the other pressure regulated Both higher in price. Thanks for commenting
When you are pouring the last bit out of the X2 pro it looks like it will flip down and dump the rest of the water all over the place. If they wanted to save weight they could use a handle like the Petrel.
This is why you should carry heavy-duty aluminum foil in your cooking kit. Among many uses, it can form a wind screen around your burner, it helps with alcohol stoves like the Trangia, or home made burners...
First problem I have is the use of the word Pro. That says to me extra heavy duty for school/scout groups etc, that clearly is not the case. Looks like they would be better off selling the lid as an upgrade to the X2. If they want to produce a new version, it should be the X3.
I have concerns about HE pots as in my very limited testing/findings a regular pot produced no discernible readings on two carbon monoxide detectors in my kitchen with a window open, I used the same stove and an HE pot and the testers both alarmed giving a very high reading that made me turn of the burner and vacate the room for a while. Not had a chance to test multiple stoves or configurations but be careful about using in a tent vestibule and it makes sense to not use HE pots indoors. This sort of system isn’t for me I prefer a remote stove and keep things low and stable.
They need to at least add a slip on handle cover. That handle would be very uncomfortable in a woman's delicate hand. I do like the plainness of its color. The looseness of the handle though is not good at all. Hopefully it doesn't get released before some improvements are made. Thanks for the review.
G'day Mark, reckon I'd be less likely to kick over the bright orange, ..... but hey whatever. That handle; ... not only is it completely inferior to what they had before, that's probably the worst handle I've seen on anything ..... and it's under the auspices of a "pro" model ...... is that because ..... only a pro has any hope of dealing with it ; ) Seriously ......that's no nit pick ....... it's an immediate deal breaker ....... and furthermore it's a real disservice to an otherwise solid brand IMO ....... get the impression I don't like it, ......... I hope so. However, I really do like the new pot/pan support and lid ..... do they fit on the old model, if so, can you purchase those separately ? Cheers Duke.
I really don't understand the push for this design. I find them like a one trick pony. Yes it boils water fast. That's something i never needed or cared for. I guess im old fashioned i don't really hike to eat dehydrated meals. I like the ability to make meals. My biggest dislike is a gas can i can't judge the amount of fuel. I have a twig stove and alcohol. I find these two in titanium weight grams and do everything. I don't understand why the race to boil water? I believe the biggest breakthrough would be a way to monitor gas in the cans.
I do love my stick stoves as well. The idea for this type of stove is not necessarily about speed but ease of use, compact setup, and fuel efficiency. Thanks for commenting
If gas monitoring is a concern, you can weigh the canister before and after, keeping a record of the amount/s used; in bigger canisters some companies offer a strip which fixes up the outside of the canister and gives a visual indication of gas level (via temperature difference). The gas is of course there to be used, and extensive tests by many, including ‘The Gear Skeptic’ have shown the best way to minimise wastage of fuel, etc. Beyond this, it could arguably be a personal matter, the weight/pack volume/noise penalty v raw performance/time ‘saved’/convenience aspects have to be weighed up and determined, etc. Personally speaking I am not interested in these dedicated systems, but I do use an anodised aluminium pot with heat exchanger and my alcohol burner, which for myself offers a good compromise: quieter, less bulk and weight to carry, yet still remarkably efficient, and fairly frugal in terms of fuel usage, the latter which can be regulated (most pathogens are killed off at 63°C or thereabouts, as such I feel there is no real need to use more fuel in order to heat to higher temperatures than this, but again it’s up to the preference of the user).
@@freeforester1717 even if you weigh it if your going above the tree line in the cold it uses even more. I just don't understand why it appears all youtube hikes are on this canister train. Years ago hiking the Apalachian Trail no two people had the same type of stove. I used a old white gas stove made of brass. But it was extremely light. I'm not against using them I just never see anyone talking about the downside. They seem to be a marketing ad. I can't be the only one that see this? Maybe I'm just old and look at things differently.
![GEEK TIMË [OFFICIAL AUDIO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ry-6RvkH880/mqdefault.jpg)
Another in depth review Mark. I'm not in the market for this, but i enjoy your in-depth review. I think you're correct about handle and lid!
Much appreciated! Thanks for commenting
Great Upgrades On Their Unit, We Love Our X-2 Made Tea & Coffee Many A Trip Out & About, Thanks For This Mark ! ATB T God Bless
The X2 is one of the best available. Thanks for commenting Terry
The quality and thoroughness of your reviews are top notch!
One thing about these types of cook systems, regardless of brand, is that practically every new backpacker that I come across seem to start out with these types of cooksets and they all seem to struggle using them in some way or another.
100%, I agree about the new handle on the Pro.
Oh, and BTW, over the years I’ve given away dozens of diy, 36 gauge aluminum windscreens to folks wasting fuel while cooking or boiling under breezy conditions…
I also have made a few windscreens from heavy foil oven liners that work well and are ultralight. Thanks for commenting
Excellent review as I’ve come to expect from you. I completely agree with your impressions re:handle. A sturdy handle while pouring boiling water is desirable.
Thank you for your kind words
Thank you for your review. As soon as I saw the handle I could see the problem, I would get the older one. If they add the old handle, they may have a winner.
Right on. Thanks for commenting
Thank you for the detailed review, appreciate it!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting
Another thorough review, Mark! Not a system I'm liable to be looking at, but options are always nice to be aware of!
If I WAS looking for such a system, that new handle is something I'd be taking a very careful look at. Not having held it in my hands, I don't know what my impression would be, but the concerns you raised on the sturdiness and comfort seem very legitimate to me, and I might well hold off on such a purchase until I was satisfied the company had addressed them. I actually like the look of the handle on the older model - change the color of the plastic on the handle to black to match the rest of the color scheme, and I'd be fine with it.
Thanks again for the review!
The good news is that they will still be selling the older model as well. Thanks for commenting
Thank you for another great overview and comparison, Mark. It would be helpful to use a windscreen for both stoves to improve efficiency in windy conditions. I agree that the original handle design is sturdier and better, and that's not a good area to focus on weight reduction. I prefer the bright colours of the original set also, less chance of losing or misplacing a component.
Yes, I usually carry a windscreen myself. In a way, it is counter to the weight reductions they are trying to achieve. Thanks for commenting
Very good review. Note to Fire Maple, get rid of the "Bling", focus on strength, replace plastic with silicone.
Good points. Thanks for commenting
Excellent review Mark. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for commenting Steve. BTW...picked a pound of chanterelles today and could have picked 10 lbs of ghost pipes just coming up. May make the nerve med yet
@@MarkYoungBushcraft I’ve had my first taste of Chanterelles for the season as well. I only pick a panfull at a time. They were delicious. I’ve been thinking more about trying to tincture the Ghost Pipe. I think taking your empty jar and alcohol into the woods is going to be the way I will try. Let me know how you make out with it and I’ll do the same.😊🍄
Just got the 2X. If you guys love the lid of the pro but want it for the 2X, buy the French press add on. It comes with a soft lid that snaps into place very similar to the pro. Biggest difference is the hole in the top for the press vs the little handle
I have the French Press lid but have not reviewed it as I had a complaint for it. The small hex-nut comes separate from the lid so that you have to place the nut in the recess on the lid before screwing the shaft in. My concern was in loosing the nut. I glued the nut into the lid but wanted Fire Maple to change the design. Is yours the same as mine? Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft I just checked and it appears they actually did fix the design. The nut is now locked into the mold
After watching your review I think I like the handle on the old one better and the lid on the new one better.. The nottom of the pot sticking to the burner seems like that could be a problem as well. For me both are to big for me to take with me. Do like the idea of the bigger pot support. Some of the real small back packing stoves I have I use in my Chinese knock off firebox stove just for the bigger pot stand support. Thanks for your review. Nice to see what is available.
Fair enough! Thanks for commenting
It's not a style/set-up I can see me using, but I appreciate the changes they made. As others have said, I don't see the necessity of a locking in pot to stove feature.. and then trying to unlock them to pour. The direction of the turn required to unlock the pot could just result in spinning off the gas canister. I prefer to just sit the pot on the stove.. it could sit in a recess rather than locking in, or have the lock in be more of a snug in.
I am not sure I mentioned. The pot does not need to be locked on to operate. I don't like locking mine either for the reasons mentioned. Thanks for commenting
Some nits need picking, on gear. Personally, I don't care for pots that lock on burners, having grown up on canteen cup and "Billie can" camp pots and skillets from G.I. mess kits. They are more flexible, from wood fires to alcohol burners, home-made or commercial, or "twig" stoves that take any wood at hand, to screw-on gas cartridge stoves that hide in a shirt pocket for size. A flat bottom pot is just tons more versatile to me. YMMV, but that's my .02 cents.
I love my billy's as well. I also prefer not to lock the pot on. Thanks for commenting
Great review Mark. Have you ever tried a Ghillie Kettle or Kelly Kettle? I picked one up a while ago and only recently got a chance to use it, and I was really impressed.
I have reviews on the Kelly Kettle, Ghillie Kettle and Petromax Kettle. Thanks for commenting
Will the pro lid fit and seal on the X2? Best of both worlds???????
Yes, it fits perfectly. Thanks for commenting
What do you think of Fixed Star 2 (original) vs. Polaris? Haven’t seen any comparison videos of those two on RUclips. Polaris is $20 more. Not sure if it’s worth it.
I would say it depends on when and where you will use the cook set. The pressure regulator on the Polaris works better in colder weather than the burner on the X2. If you don't intend on using it in cold weather, go with the X2. I think you just gave me an idea for a video. Thanks for commenting
I like the looks of the original better then the Pro, I do wish they would use a remote canister system with-it though.
Fire Maple have two stoves systems with remote canister setup but one is radiant heat and the other pressure regulated Both higher in price. Thanks for commenting
When you are pouring the last bit out of the X2 pro it looks like it will flip down and dump the rest of the water all over the place. If they wanted to save weight they could use a handle like the Petrel.
I agree. They have the X1 which has butterfly handles that would be safer. Thanks for commenting
great review, the handle is a deal breaker for me. I can see you putting the new lid on the old one and calling it a day lol
I will likely switch lids myself. Thanks for commenting
This is why you should stay in a five star Hotel and not go camping 😂😂😂
Love it. Thanks for commenting
This is why you should carry heavy-duty aluminum foil in your cooking kit. Among many uses, it can form a wind screen around your burner, it helps with alcohol stoves like the Trangia, or home made burners...
Right on. Thanks for commenting
I get trying to make it lighter but I wouldn't trust that handle either. Lid looks like you can drink out of it now.
I think the lid is best part of the new stove. Thanks for commenting
First problem I have is the use of the word Pro. That says to me extra heavy duty for school/scout groups etc, that clearly is not the case. Looks like they would be better off selling the lid as an upgrade to the X2. If they want to produce a new version, it should be the X3.
I agree. Pro says heavy-duty or advanced features. Thanks for commenting
I have concerns about HE pots as in my very limited testing/findings a regular pot produced no discernible readings on two carbon monoxide detectors in my kitchen with a window open, I used the same stove and an HE pot and the testers both alarmed giving a very high reading that made me turn of the burner and vacate the room for a while.
Not had a chance to test multiple stoves or configurations but be careful about using in a tent vestibule and it makes sense to not use HE pots indoors.
This sort of system isn’t for me I prefer a remote stove and keep things low
and stable.
Good points. Thanks for commenting
THX. this handle (in PRO) is a serious mistake
I so agree. Thanks for commenting
They need to at least add a slip on handle cover. That handle would be very uncomfortable in a woman's delicate hand. I do like the plainness of its color. The looseness of the handle though is not good at all. Hopefully it doesn't get released before some improvements are made. Thanks for the review.
Unfortunately, they have released it with this handle. Hopefully, they will reconsider. Thanks for commenting
I don’t see the issues with the handle as a small problem. I definitely wouldn’t buy it for that reason. ✌️🇺🇸🇨🇦✌️
I agree. Deal breaker for me as well. Thanks for commenting
G'day Mark, reckon I'd be less likely to kick over the bright orange, ..... but hey whatever.
That handle; ... not only is it completely inferior to what they had before, that's probably the worst handle I've seen on anything ..... and it's under the auspices of a "pro" model ...... is that because ..... only a pro has any hope of dealing with it ; )
Seriously ......that's no nit pick ....... it's an immediate deal breaker ....... and furthermore it's a real disservice to an otherwise solid brand IMO ....... get the impression I don't like it, ......... I hope so.
However, I really do like the new pot/pan support and lid ..... do they fit on the old model, if so, can you purchase those separately ?
Cheers Duke.
Hi Duke. The day this unit arrived I complained to the company about the handle. Not a good design for sure. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Yeah, it's pretty glaring alright mate. Lets hope the feedback sorts it out before they let them "loose" on the market ; )
I really don't understand the push for this design. I find them like a one trick pony. Yes it boils water fast. That's something i never needed or cared for.
I guess im old fashioned i don't really hike to eat dehydrated meals. I like the ability to make meals.
My biggest dislike is a gas can i can't judge the amount of fuel.
I have a twig stove and alcohol. I find these two in titanium weight grams and do everything.
I don't understand why the race to boil water?
I believe the biggest breakthrough would be a way to monitor gas in the cans.
I do love my stick stoves as well. The idea for this type of stove is not necessarily about speed but ease of use, compact setup, and fuel efficiency. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft still no way of telling how much fuel you use. But even worse not telling how much fuel is in those cans.
If gas monitoring is a concern, you can weigh the canister before and after, keeping a record of the amount/s used; in bigger canisters some companies offer a strip which fixes up the outside of the canister and gives a visual indication of gas level (via temperature difference). The gas is of course there to be used, and extensive tests by many, including ‘The Gear Skeptic’ have shown the best way to minimise wastage of fuel, etc. Beyond this, it could arguably be a personal matter, the weight/pack volume/noise penalty v raw performance/time ‘saved’/convenience aspects have to be weighed up and determined, etc.
Personally speaking I am not interested in these dedicated systems, but I do use an anodised aluminium pot with heat exchanger and my alcohol burner, which for myself offers a good compromise: quieter, less bulk and weight to carry, yet still remarkably efficient, and fairly frugal in terms of fuel usage, the latter which can be regulated (most pathogens are killed off at 63°C or thereabouts, as such I feel there is no real need to use more fuel in order to heat to higher temperatures than this, but again it’s up to the preference of the user).
@@freeforester1717 even if you weigh it if your going above the tree line in the cold it uses even more. I just don't understand why it appears all youtube hikes are on this canister train. Years ago hiking the Apalachian Trail no two people had the same type of stove. I used a old white gas stove made of brass. But it was extremely light.
I'm not against using them I just never see anyone talking about the downside. They seem to be a marketing ad. I can't be the only one that see this? Maybe I'm just old and look at things differently.