It has been a number of years since Three Factors of the Compass bought this multi-fuel range particularly for tougher sub-zero winter backpacking journeys. My terrific Edelrid Hexon range has seen far too little use resulting from a collection of gentle winters coinciding with enhancements in gasoline range design.
Edelrid are a German outside gear firm specializing in climbing gear, based in 1863 by Julius Delmann and Carl Rider. The corporate have lengthy been modern of their method to gear. Beginning out as strand and twine specialists, they launched the primary braided fishing traces in 1880 and invented the kernmantel rope in 1953 (paracord is a kernmantle rope). They adopted this with the world’s first ‘vitality’ rope in 1964 and the primary rope harness the next 12 months, the primary floating rope for canyoning in 1994 and the primary folding climbing helmet in 2007. Edelrid grew to become a part of the Vaude group in 2006 and round 60% of their gear manufacturing emanates out of Germany. From that final stat we are able to see that a big proportion of their branded items comes from exterior that nation. This as soon as included the Hexon multi-fuel range, manufactured abroad to Edelrid’s specification.
The Edelrid Hexon multi-fuel range was launched in 2010 and shortly attracted plenty of beneficial consideration. Nonetheless it additionally attracted a substantial amount of criticism resulting from a few teething issues within the first technology. There have been reported points with the screw connector to the gas bottle. This was promptly addressed by Edelrid and the connector improved for the following technology. Nonetheless the largest challenge was that the fairly squarish legs on the range may warp with extended use. The misshapen legs didn’t cease the range working, however many customers have been sad. Sufficiently in order that in 2014 Edelrid launched a second technology of the range with reprofiled legs/pot stands that not warped, or at the very least to not the diploma that they’d beforehand. These stoves may be recognized by the pot helps being angled away from the range on the high. It’s the second technology Hexon that I’ve.
The 2 reported issues encountered with the primary technology Hexon are additionally little question partly answerable for the resultant poor gross sales of the range, with few folks conscious that the problems had been rectified whereas retailers typically continued to point out photographs of the first-generation range with out reprofiled legs. Even Edelrid may be faulted on this respect. Once I bought my second technology range it got here in a field illustrating the first-generation range. Whereas Edelrid have withdrawn the Hexon range from sale, it might nonetheless be bought from some outside gear distributors, however it’s getting tougher to seek out.
The 224g Edelrid Hexon is amongst the lightest multi-fuel stoves ever made. It is usually one of many only a few stoves that can function on canister gasoline in addition to white gasoline/Coleman gas, unleaded petrol, paraffin (kerosene) and even diesel, although this can be very smoky with diesel and vulnerable to clogging up. Nor does it carry out significantly effectively with paraffin both. Three Factors of the Compass has largely run this range on Coleman gas, butane combine canisters, unleaded petrol and most lately virtually completely on Aspen-4. This can be a purer type of ethanol free petroleum distillate. Unleaded petrol is just not a sensible choice of gas because it incorporates varied components that may clog each gas line and jet, but it surely is an possibility. Simply not an excellent possibility, because it means extra frequent cleansing is required and ‘within the discipline’ clogging might happen. Regardless of its multi-fuel functionality, the Hexon operates with simply the one jet, that doesn’t require switching when altering gas kind.
Utilizing Aspen-4 doesn’t end in zero soot (carbon). All the heavier distillates produce some to a level, significantly whereas priming or if there may be any diploma of incomplete burn, however there does appear to be a minimal quantity produced with the Hexon when operating on Aspen-4. Operating the Hexon on gasoline as a substitute of liquid gas means nearly zero mess is created.
Whereas the thread dimension of the Edelrid gas bottle is widespread to plain Primus and most different liquid gas bottles, the pump can’t be used with the smallest of the Primus gas bottles as the inner gubbins don’t fairly match contained in the bottle.
The range itself is predicated round a six-sided (Hexagon=Hexon) physique, during which a reasonably typical multi-fuel burner bell is bolted, with priming pad on the backside, jet within the base and flame spreader above. The physique anchors three fold out assist legs and an inlet from a gas line, from which a generator loop directs the gas up and over the flame and again all the way down to the jet.
Key:
- Connector and O-rings
- Valve knob
- Pot helps
- Gasoline bottle
- Pump
- Pump c30 instances to pressurise
- Pump foot
- Ignition gap
- Pre-heating pad
- Jet
Observe the generator loop that runs from the gas hose, up and over the flame and again all the way down to the range feed under. That is the place gas is heated and vaporised and is a vital ingredient of this all-conditions multi-fuel range.
The Hexon has three swivel out titanium pot assist legs. Every of those is beneath pressure resulting from being inserted into offset holes. Helps spring open to the right 120 diploma angle, or fold closed, into the physique to make a decently compact unit, for packing and transport. As talked about above, these on the second technology range are an improved form, sloping away from the burner, this reduces the prospect of their warping when excessive warmth is produced. The flat(ish) tops of the legs assist a pot 85mm above the bottom and the underside edge of every of the three helps is formed in order to face away from bumps and lumps on an uneven floor. These assist legs are simply faraway from the physique of the range when stripping it down for cleansing or upkeep. They’re additionally eliminated if becoming the burner to a slightly nifty adapter plate which permits it to be fitted contained in the basic Trangia 25 and 27 Storm Cookers. I’ll take a look at that primary mod individually.
The Hexon is a remarkably effectively designed and manufactured range. Not solely is it one of many lightest multi-fuel stoves ever made, however can be one of many smallest when folded. It compacts all the way down to a dimension that can slip into fairly small pots. If the folded range actually is a very awkward or tight match or doesn’t fairly squeeze right into a pot, then unclip a number of of the three pot assist from the primary physique. Although this may occasionally not even be a difficulty for commonest customers. For winter use it’s probably that better volumes of water are being heated for decent meals and drinks, so additionally it is potential {that a} bigger pot is being carried than may be utilized in hotter months on path. Snow melting may be deliberate, which requires a big pot.
The Hexon’s 320mm versatile braided gas hose will screw instantly on to lindal valved gasoline canisters. This connector additionally screws on to the equipped aluminium and plastic gas pump when used with liquid fuels in a gas bottle. The crimped brass connector becoming a member of the hose to the valve connector swivels. This permits the gas bottle or gasoline cart to be flipped as required. A small Edelrid gas bottle is equipped with the range and 0.4lt and 0.75lt branded gas bottles can be found as stand-alone purchases. Although more and more, this isn’t ‘are’ however ‘have been’ accessible. A big gas bottle doesn’t essentially should be carried. All that’s required for many journeys is the small gas bottle that may be connected to the pump and pressurised, and any spare gas may be carried in one other bottle, probably even a light-weight PET bottle. Although word that petrol will assault and degrade polycarbonate, and Excessive Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is safer.
The 115g pump is effectively made and similar to that discovered on a few different stoves from different producers. Extra on that later. The pump may be simply linked to the braided gas hose by turning the little plastic knob reverse the screw connector, there isn’t any have to twist and switch the entire affair to attach the 2. There’s a small pink plastic slip cowl to guard the thread from particles, that is simply misplaced although I’ve in some way managed to hold on to mine. It isn’t important nonetheless, merely a fascinating. There’s a spring tensioned right-angle bar that’s pulled out barely and turned by way of ninety levels to maintain the gas bottle accurately oriented for provide.
You might have seen the small white filter on the inlet tube on the pump that sits inside a gas bottle. This can filter out bigger impurities from liquid fuels earlier than they grow to be a difficulty additional into the range workings. Not all liquid gas stoves have this, although they need to as that is the right place to suit a filter, not additional into the system. The generator loop has a completely fitted inner steel cable that may be periodically used to scrub deposits. I shall comply with up with a separate weblog on that straightforward upkeep course of.
A versatile thick foil windscreen comes with the range. This measures 780mm x 140mm, weighs 56g and has many of the uncovered edges turned to reduce the prospect of cuts. I don’t use this display screen, have by no means used this display screen, preferring both an previous battered foil defend I’ve had for years, or a lighter titanium foil that additionally packs down smaller. Most often I merely simply use a pack, sit mat or related, to supply safety from the wind. Bear in mind, there may be plenty of warmth from this range and objects of substances can’t be sat too tightly round it in any other case they’ll go up in flames themselves.
In widespread with virtually all pressurised multi-fuel stoves (apart from the now discontinued Soto Muka), when run on petroleum primarily based liquid gas, the Hexon requires priming prior to make use of. It’s not tough however have to be accomplished correctly. As soon as the pump is screwed onto the gas bottle, pump about 30 instances to pressurise the bottle. Flip the pump foot so the bottle doesn’t roll, with the ‘on’ marking dealing with upward. Tweak the valve management on the pump for a number of seconds in order that pressurised gas is launched and soaks the felt pre-heating pad under the burner. Flip the valve off. Mild the gas by way of the small gap within the facet of the range. The soaked gas will burn for as much as a minute whereas heating the generator coil that loops over the burner. When it dies down, flip the gas management valve till a blue roaring burn is realised. It’s gas vapour that’s burnt and a scorching and environment friendly blue flame is created.
If utilizing the range for any size of time it is going to require re-pressurising. Merely do one other ten pumps or so till the flame audibly and noticeably picks up once more. When extinguishing the range, flip the gas bottle over so the ‘off’ faces upward. After half a minute or extra, the flame will die down. The management valve can now be turned off, or the stress contained in the gas bottle allowed to vent. Permitting the gas bottle to depressurise lessens the prospect of getting gas on the palms when unscrewing the pump.
The Hexon can very simply be run off a gasoline canister. Whereas this negates a lot of the added performance that the Hexon offers, it’s an possibility and permits a clear range to be operated, with no mess from priming or soot. Join the valve connector on the finish of the braided gas hose to a lindal valve gasoline cart.
The valve management is located by the gas canister so there isn’t any have to method the range physique when adjusting the flame. The valve management is small however I can deal with it effectively sufficient with gloves on. It’s moderately delicate, extra so with gasoline, and as soon as the range is burning effectively, it may be turned down sufficient to take care of a simmer. However it’s a scorching flame and a low simmer may be tough to acquire. If utilizing liquid gas, a simmer is less complicated to acquire if much less stress is created within the gas bottle. Energy output is 3000W on canister gasoline and in extra of 10000W on white gasoline. Gasoline consumption is within the area of 80-240g/hour. A litre of water is purchased to the boil in round three minutes, although that can depend upon situations and altitude.
There isn’t any want to vary jets when altering fuels. Whereas all appropriate fuels utilise the fitted .37mm jet, some fuels similar to diesel and paraffin/kerosene battle. An earlier model of the range included a sintered brass insert to the inlet to the jet, this insert was later excluded, as on mine. The sintered insert acted as a filter to catch any impurities earlier than they blocked the jet. Presumably it was discovered that this was not required. That is no loss as whereas a jet can often be cleaned or cleared with a pricker needle (included on the range’s multi-tool), if the jets insert have been blocked or clogged there isn’t any approach of cleansing it.
Is the Hexon is a loud range? No. In widespread with most pressurised liquid gas stoves for 4 season use, the Hexon is a very noisy range. That is simply rectified retrospectively by becoming an after-market silence cap. That is an costly accent, and it wasn’t till 2022 that I finally bit the bullet and bought one. The distinction it made was startling.
Additionally included with the range on buy is a very useful upkeep, spares and power package. The 62g package is a small plastic case with screw-off cap, that features absolutely anything required to virtually totally disassemble, reassemble, service and preserve the range. That is successfully the identical spares package supplied for the Korean made Kovea Booster+1 (mannequin KB-0603), which not solely factors at an origin for the pump, but in addition means I can nonetheless get my palms on just some spare components for the Hexon. The straightforward multi-tool included additionally has a pricker needle to scrub the jet (no shaker jet know-how right here!).
There are fairly a number of small components to be discovered when taking this range aside, particularly the pump, that has small springs and so forth which can be simply misplaced. A material unfold on the bottom on which the range may be dismantled, along with good mild and nice care, are particular necessities if making an attempt discipline restore. There are not any O-rings on the range itself, simply the pump, so the restore package may very well be lowered if it was solely being run on gasoline.
I discussed earlier the issues {that a} shopping for public had in comprehending that the issues with the primary technology Hexon had been resolved with the second technology. Virtually all opinions of the Edelrid Hexon are from a number of years in the past and canopy the primary technology, full with the faults then exhibited. Coupled with that, the Hexon was attending to be fairly an previous mannequin and Edelrid have now stopped promoting it. This can be a nice disgrace as, even in any case these years, it’s nonetheless one of many lightest and greatest multi-fuel stoves accessible. There are nonetheless a handful of stockists which have new previous inventory, however they’re turning into tougher to seek out. Most sellers with inventory are unsurprisingly primarily based in Germany. Few UK backpackers now appear to offer this range a lot consideration, probably caught up with higher identified model names or no matter newest biggest light-weight providing is popping out of China or Korea.
Who made the Edelrid Hexon?
It’s attention-grabbing to surmise who truly made this range. I’ve been capable of acquire no info from Edelrid themselves and even after they nonetheless listed the range amongst their merchandise, they included no info as to the place it was made. Neither is any info to be gleaned from the instruction guide. Some knowledgeable guesswork does level at a potential supply, or sources.
The principle Edelrid Hexon range physique shares many similarities with the Chinese language made Fireplace Maple FMS-F3 and F5. The range physique on the FMS-F3 is similar to the Hexon however pot helps are completely different. The sprung legs on the physique of the liquid gas FMS-F5 certainly level at a typical lineage, although these on the Hexon are a greater form. However word that every of those Fireplace Maple stoves has a lowered multi-fuel functionality in comparison with the Edelrid Hexon.
We noticed above that the spares package included with the Edelrid Hexon incorporates the identical objects as discovered within the spares package for the Korean manufactured Kovea Booster+1 (KB-0603), Twin Max & Hydra stoves. Kovea make stoves beneath their very own title in addition to merchandise for MSR and others. The Booster+ range was beforehand marketed because the Markill Phoenix range. Markill are a German firm and a part of the Vaude group, a bunch that Edelrid have been a part of since 2006. That stated, simply to muddy the waters additional, the pump, gas hose and flame spreader are additionally similar to these discovered on the Chinese language Brunton Lander and BRS-27 stoves! It does look as if these are Chinese language clones of Korean made pumps.
It seems now we have the most effective multi-fuel burner from one producer, that mixes the most effective of two of their stoves, along with a extra strong pump from one other producer. Would a German open air gear provider supply merchandise for the one range from each Korean and Chinese language OEM producers, or is it wholly Korean in origin? Or did Edelrid manufacture any components themselves, or outsource regionally, to their specification? Who truly pulled all of the disparate components collectively as a manufactured complete, and the place? It’s all a little bit of a thriller.
Options:
By utilising sure strategies and techniques, most campers in sub-zero situations will handle simply wonderful with a single gas range. This might even be an alcohol/meths arrange, or perhaps a gasoline canister range. It might require the easiest of manufacture, practised skilled use and safety from the weather, however it may be accomplished. For these eager to retain multi-fuel functionality whereas nonetheless holding the carried weight as minimal as potential, it may be a battle.
There are apparent good alternate options to the little multi-fuel Edelrid Hexon (339g- range plus pump), although in widespread with the Hexon, a few of these are getting tougher to supply resulting from having been discontinued or ‘upgraded’. My previous Primus Omnifuel has undergone quite a few incarnations through the years. Upgrading and enhancing often leading to a weight enhance on many makes and fashions of stoves. Observe that not all multi-fuel stoves will run off gasoline, however from those who do, these embrace the MSR Whisperlite Common (344g- range plus pump), Optimus Nova (450g range plus pump), Optimus Polaris Optifuel (476g- range and pump), Primus OmniLite Ti (340g- range plus pump), Soto StormBreaker (448g- range and pump). All have enviable reputations however in widespread with the Edelrid Hexon, even have their particular person strengths, detriments and foibles. Some can be heavier, or bulkier, or require extreme pumping, or battle to simmer (Whisperlite, I’m taking a look at you!) Probably the closest range to the Hexon is the Kovea Booster+1, however that may be a whole lot heavier, befitting its elevated robustness, having been constructed for expedition use. I would present a few the alternate options that I’ve, in an additional weblog. However they are heavier choices if light-weight backpacking.
The gas flexibility of the Hexon implies that I can fall again on different fuels if obligatory – my ace-in-the-hole. The range may be carried on path with each a gas bottle with put in pump and a small gasoline canister for back-up or comfort. That is the kind of range that I get precise pleasure from tinkering with and utilizing. It’s satisfying to unfold and put together, pump and pressurise, prime effectively, and get a roaring scorching flame. However let’s face it, all I need to do on a chilly darkish night on path is produce a scorching brew and scorching meal with as little fuss as potential. If situations are difficult, then this range may very well be the most suitable choice. If much less difficult, then one other range may be most popular. Is that this the most effective range I personal? No. However I have to bear in mind, the most effective range is the one I’ve on the market with me!
The Edelrid Hexon stays a easy, mild, low bulk, tried and examined, efficient range for anybody taking a look at multi-fuel choices, significantly the place gasoline is likely one of the fuels. My Hexon doesn’t see a lot use lately. It’s most suited to light-weight backpacking, delivering wonderful efficiency in extended chilly climate, the place massive volumes of water or meals are required. Hopefully the following ice age kicks in quickly, and I’ll be stuffing this in to a pack once more.
Three Factors of the Compass often takes a look at objects of substances, together with a handful of different stoves. Whereas some are pretty new, many, such because the Edelrid Hexon, at the moment are fairly previous. Outdated doesn’t imply out of date. These opinions get added to sometimes as I get spherical to it. Hyperlinks may be discovered right here.
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