Desktop version
A place to chat about gear and the philosphy of ultralight. Ultralight bushwalking or backpacking focuses on carrying the lightest and simplest kit. There is still a good focus on safety and skill.

Forum rules

Ultralight Bushwalking/backpacking is about more than just gear lists. Ultralight walkers carefully consider gear based on the environment they are entering, the weather forecast, their own skill, other people in the group. Gear and systems are tested and tweaked.
If you are new to this area then welcome - Please remember that although the same ultralight philosophy can be used in all environments that the specific gear and skill required will vary greatly. It is very dangerous to assume that you can just copy someone else's gear list, but you are encouraged to ask questions, learn and start reducing the pack weight and enjoying the freedom that comes.

Common words
Base pack backpacking the mass of the backpack and the gear inside - not including consumables such as food, water and fuel
light backpacking base weight less than 9.1kg
ultralight backpacking base weight less than 4.5kg
super-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 2.3kg
extreme-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 1.4kg
Post a reply

Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Thu 26 Jul, 2018 4:26 pm

Seems a good price for the little sibling to the Champeen SOTO Windmaster.
The igniter model seems very reliable (so far) after about 50-60 uses in my case. I carry something just in case.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/soto-amicus-stove

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Thu 26 Jul, 2018 9:42 pm

Ha! I was just browsing Massdrop (which I only discovered thanks to you, Lamont) and saw the stove. My existing stove doesn't have an igniter and I liked the concept of the concave design as a natural windshield. Sounds like you have really given it a good testing out.
Perhaps a bit heavier than I would like though... given I am offsetting the weight of my lovely comfy sleep mat by shaving grams in every possible other way :wink:

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Thu 26 Jul, 2018 10:20 pm

Oh the Sotos are sweet, not cheap but quality plus and smaller than you might think.Elegantly engineered. I wanted the Windmaster but this came up and very happy so far.Wind resistance is quite remarkable.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Fri 27 Jul, 2018 8:26 am

Thanks Lamont, been wanting an Amicus for awhile now so I bought it. It's the first time I've wanted to buy something on Massdrop that actually delivers to Australia!

Hikin Jim who seems to know everything when it comes to stoves can't speak highly enough about this stove
https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/search?q=amicus

Just hope it's small enough to pack away in my GSI Pinnacle.

Cheers

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Fri 27 Jul, 2018 9:10 am

Lamont wrote:Oh the Sotos are sweet, not cheap but quality plus and smaller than you might think.Elegantly engineered. I wanted the Windmaster but this came up and very happy so far.Wind resistance is quite remarkable.

I will take your word for it, if nothing else about me is elegantly engineered, at least my stove will be :lol:

Just joined the drop. I actually need a new stove. I have been using a cheapie stove for a year, it is heavy and the 'O' ring is starting to go (is that the correct tech term for the rubber sealy thing?) and while I am sure it can be replaced, purchasing a new stove is exciting and then I can research the right sealy thing and pass on the heavier stove to my son once I have found the right part.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Fri 27 Jul, 2018 9:35 am

Thanks for the heads up on the drop and also the adventures in stoving review.

I have a pocket rocket and its been a fairly reliable partner for many years. However the Soto Amicus seems to be superior in many aspects.

- Wind resistance. This is a big one, the pocket rocket was annoying in anything above light breeze.
- Piezoelectric ignition. Using a mini bic early in the morning with cold hands and a sleepy brain can be challenging.
- Superior pot support. Was always consious of the pocket rockets less than stellar pot support.
- More compact and a bit lighter.

I joined the drop. :D

EDIT. I noticed the adventures in stoving blog mentions that the the SOTO windmaster is better than the SOTO Amicus when in temps below freezing. Does anyone know why this would be the case? https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.co ... micus.html
EDIT2 - A -11C video review of the amicus performance. Fairly good IMHO.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hveah1k-f_I

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Fri 27 Jul, 2018 4:00 pm

Ha ha don't get to far into hikin' jims videos you might never come out- What is it about watching stove tests with that bloke? It's mesmerising!
He is "Keithy" of the US -reviewer nonpareil.
Those blokes know how to do a review!
The Amicus can take a moment for the gas to come through-spell scooby dooby doo- then click-works every time.
Zapruda is a SOTO Windmaster afficanado I believe, he may know about the cold results -if he reads this he may comment.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Sun 29 Jul, 2018 9:22 pm

Just got notification that the drop has ended.
Expected post date Aug 16th.
Looking forward to using it.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Mon 30 Jul, 2018 7:41 am

Lamont wrote:Zapruda is a SOTO Windmaster afficanado I believe, he may know about the cold results -if he reads this he may comment.


I love that stove!

I don’t think I will ever move to anything else. It’s excellent.

It comes with me on ski tours all the time and does very well in the cold. I used it the other weekend for melting snow when it was around -7. It didn’t skip a beat. And the wind protection is fantastic.

Cheers.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Sun 18 Nov, 2018 7:06 am

Thought I would update now that I have used the stove a whole heap. I flipping love it.
Inbuilt igniter is great and the 4 arms are so stable. I have used it many times and in wind and yes, the concave design is great in the wind. I also just used it the past 4 days for my husband and I so had a bigger (2lt) pot on it and it was so stable even with that size.
Money well spent.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Sun 18 Nov, 2018 1:06 pm

Gotta agree...love the stove, even if I had to get it replaced when the piezo stopped working and the FireMaple 116T my partner uses boils water much faster and is much lighter...go figure!

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Tue 19 Feb, 2019 1:25 pm

I have the soto amicus with the inbuilt piezo. I love it. No lighter? no worries!
It's good in wind too.
It's back on massdrop again, albeit it's a quick drop, will be over by tomorrow I think.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/soto-amicu ... rer=9ALZDV

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Sun 23 Aug, 2020 10:50 pm

For those who missed out and can put up with the version without the igniter
https://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping- ... niter.html
$32.49 NZ won't break the bank
Plus postage of course if you don't spend over $99
Bivouac are having a sale but I'm unsure when it finishes

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 26 Aug, 2020 4:55 pm

Still loving it. Igniter hasn't missed a beat.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 26 Aug, 2020 5:27 pm

Ms_Mudd wrote:Still loving it. Igniter hasn't missed a beat.

Amicus fan as well, they handle the wind and have good focus on the pot. The thing I've found with the igniter is I now carry 1 lighter where as before I'd be finding lighters in my first aid kit, cook kit, diddy bag, pant pocket... used to find them every where so all those lighters may well have been heavier than the stove itself.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 26 Aug, 2020 5:33 pm

Alright you deevils -I want a kick back now. :lol:
I'd put a double quote in here for Crolly and Muddy here but it's beyond my ken.

Please send a generous gratuity to:
Carl Kolcahk Academy
c/o your capital city :D

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 26 Aug, 2020 6:19 pm

Kickback sent on the wings of a bat to the Chicago Independent News Service

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 26 Aug, 2020 6:23 pm

Ms_Mudd wrote:Kickback sent on the wings of a bat to the Chicago Independent News Service

The INS sends their thanks.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 26 Aug, 2020 9:52 pm

How much was the massdrop offer with postage to Aus?

I ask as my original MSI pocket rocket was a lot dearer than $33 NZ + shipping

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Thu 27 Aug, 2020 8:27 pm

You won't get a better price than what bivouac is offering. I'd go for that if you're a stove junky but the pocket rocket you got is v good as well

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Fri 28 Aug, 2020 8:59 am

crollsurf wrote:You won't get a better price than what bivouac is offering. I'd go for that if you're a stove junky but the pocket rocket you got is v good as well

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk


Cheers
I was thinking about it as a stocking filler for a nephew with Xmas approaching.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 30 Sep, 2020 8:49 am

A question for the technical people out there, if I may.
On the aluminium safety label attached to the Soto Amicus, it states to only use the 70% butane/ 30% propane mix of gas.
Is there an actual reason for not using 100% butane, if I refill a canister?

Another question, if I may.
It also states the orifice size is 0.31mm. Is that the jet hole, in layman's terms.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Wed 30 Sep, 2020 9:26 am

Gold Coast wrote:A question for the technical people out there, if I may.
On the aluminium safety label attached to the Soto Amicus, it states to only use the 70% butane/ 30% propane mix of gas.
Is there an actual reason for not using 100% butane, if I refill a canister?

I have used mine with butane most of the time and it works fine. I believe the source of the caution is towards Propane not butane. Don't go over 30%.
Had mine for a few years now.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Thu 01 Oct, 2020 11:00 am

OK, Thanks Lamont.

Re: Massdrop SOTO AMICUS

Fri 27 Nov, 2020 2:56 pm

I know a few have the Amicus and thought you might like to see (if you haven't already that is) a windscreen being sold specifically for it.
Way too rich for my blood but thought I'd chuck it up for any interested parties. The owner Jon has been especially responsive to new ideas.
https://www.flatcatgear.com/shop/ocelot-soto-amicus/ No affiliation to the seller.
there is one and a video for the Windmaster as well plus some other stoves. Just have to do some searching.
Post a reply