Replaced a very old whisperlite with this Dragonfly [still holding onto my 30yr old FireFly].... its a great stove, much more stable platform when your breaking out the big pots to cook for a group. simmer is better than the whisperlite or firefly. i like that the simmer control is extended so it protrudes from your windscreen and stays cool. makes great pancakes!

You can trust this stove. Which is important, especially in the winter when you need fire for water. And why wouldn't you get this one with the adjustable simmer? Does the little valve really add that much weight over the standard jet engine non-adjustable? I freakin' love this thing!

Great stove boils water fast!
I kept my cabin friends up at night with the noise,and got them up early in the morning.

I've had this stove for about 4 years, and over the past 2-3 years have put it through a lot, and it has only disappointed me once (but it was my fault-didn't know how to warm it up sufficiently.)

After getting the slightly finicky start-up process down, this thing is an absolute beast. It boils water in a heartbeat (and with a might roar), but can also play gentle with some of the more delicate and exquisite meals you may prepare in a base-camp like setting. It has worked excellently backpacking in all 4 seasons-manageable enough to use in the vestibule, but burly enough to melt snow efficiently. It is also great for a workhorse stove in a base-camp like setting. Used it on a climbing trip to Poke-o moonshine recently, and it worked great to prepare some tasty mac-and-cheese, and the San Fran treat: rice-a-roni.

BONUS: It fits in many pots, such as the medium MSR Alpine pot.

great stove, would definitely recommend it to anyone who would like a versatile, all year stove that you don't have to worry about.

I own three MSR stoves (blush). My high peaks, desperate situations, really far away from mum, burn whatever I can get, expedition XGK (although I'm not sure they called it that when I bought it 7 years ago). For more comfortable jaunts in the wilderness, lasting up to two weeks, I have a dependable Whisperlite. Nothing wrong with either once you learn to control the pressure so you don't incinerate all your meals!! Now, at the turn of a screw, I can choose to simmer or hurry up that snow/ice. FANTASTIC!! It's been a few weeks and only one trip since it arrived but I have found it a good example of the quality and reliability I expect from MSR. I will be trusting this stove to keep me in good stead in the Andes and Patagonia. Defintiely worth the pennies. On the downside, you may never see the wildlife; the Dragonfly is no quieter than the XGK.

I will usually use the MSR pocket rocket when I'm backpacking but I choose this stove when I need it. I use this in colder weather, if I'm expecting rain, there are strong winds, or I'm cooking food that takes a little more skill. This stove has a lot of power and works in cold weather. The support arms work well for large pots and you can 'simmer' with this stove to cook food that is a little more gourmet then the food you would cook with a pocket rocket. This is a good stove that works inbetween the boundaries of lightweight backpacking and comfort focused camping.

This stove is great. I took it on a test run on a short canoeing trip. Though it's a bit more bulky than the pocketrocket or whisperlite, it's worth the weight. It's more stable than any camp stove I've ever used and the simmering is great. I've had a lot of problems with stoves becoming too hot, making cooking a pain--the dragonfly was a treat after a month of scraping off burnt pasta and rice off of the bottoms of pans. It is louder than both of the stoves I mentioned, but it's tolerable.

This is a really reliable work horse. It can be embarrassingly loud if the night is peaceful and serene, but you get great cooking control in exchange. This boils quickly, lights easily, is super stable, versatile, and simmers (under a close eye to keep it behaving). I love my DragonFly and would recommend one if you need a liquid fuel stove.

I used this on a few camping trips and recently on an annual skiing/snowboarding New Year's trip I take with a few of my buddies. This stove is great at keeping stews warm, making s'mores, and roasting toast. At home, I've actually used it with a cast-iron griddle and then my smaller Le Creuset saute pan (gradually turning up the heat) and it worked really well. Now if only I can convince the girlfriend to let me take the pan on our next trip...

I use my Dragonfly stove these days exclusiely for winter camping. It is HOT when I need to melt snow for water and it simmers very low when I want to bake with my Backpacker's Pantry Oven.

I've owned my Dragonfly since 1994 and it has never given me a problem. I did replace the original MSR pump only because I heard the newer version was more durable than my original pump. So far both still work fine.

My only quibble is that MSR did not serrate the top of the wire pot supports for better "gription"
so I filed many small Vs in the pot support topsides and all is well.

I have used this stove many times winter camping in Maine. Hasn't let me down yet. You do have to clean it once or twice a season, depending on how often you use it, but it is easy to clean. I personally like to us white gas with it. I also love that its easy to prime, no fire ribbon needed.

This is a great and reliable stove. You can cook on it as well, rather than just boil water. As with any MSR stove, knowing how to take it apart and replace parts is essential to keeping it functioning smoothly.

I love my dragonfly! It is a bit noisy at full open, but I wouldn't say that you can't carry on a conversation over it. Getting it started is simple, just make sure you practice with it at home before taking it out. The flame adjust ability is super nice, gives you the ability to open her up and melt a ton of snow or turn it down and cook some eggs. The flame is nice and evenly dispersed, to melt snow I use a 4 liter aluminum pot when my wife and I go out or a backcountry.com 1650ml Ti cookset for when I am by myself. To cook bacon and such, I have used a 10" lodge cast iron skillet (Still looking for a nice light weight skillet). The stove had no issue holding the weight of the cast iron. I highly recommend this stove and will probably pick up another soon.

Got this stove in 2001 and it is still cooking up a storm. Did some minor part replacements after 5 years (cheap-cheap) and have not seen the need to replace this model. Unbeatable value!!

Sure, it sounds like a jet taking off and yes, it does weigh a little bit more than the other stoves out there, but this is still by far my favorite stove. When you are craving something a little more complex than adding boiling water to freeze-dried packs, the adjustable simmer feature will allow for a full range of meals to be prepared, from stews to pancakes it does it all. For its size it packs down fairly small even with the included windscreen and bottom deflector, but it is still noticeable in the pack. The best part about the stove it being able to use the refillable bottle, which saves on extra canister waste. Also with the reillable bottles, you do not have to worry about altitude or cold affectiing the pressure since you can add a few more pumps to the bottle. Whether it is car camping or through hiking this is the stove to get since you can gourmet cook, but if you are counting grams you should reconsider.

I use this in the winter here in AK and it works great in cold temps! No hassles, never have had a problem with it. Works like a champ. some people complain about the noise, but for me it keeps the bears away, awesome second use!

I have had this stove for over 10 years and it has always worked flawlessly.

I use this when travelling out of the US due to the multi-fuel option. Take a NEW(dogs at customs won't alert on it) MSR bottle in your checked bags, empty of course, and fill it with locally procured fuel.

After a couple of summers living on trail crews in the backcountry with a whisper light I thought I would try the DragonFly upgrade with the mysterous "shaker jet" that doesn't need to be taken apart and cleaned all the time. 7 years later I have cooked about 300 dinners and breakfasts without having to clean my stove once!!! As with any MSR stove it's a little quirky to get started, but never once have I had to have a cold dinner because it wouldn't start. The simmer setting is great.... and water boils faster than you could ever imagine. I would reccomend this stove to any backpacker.....

This is THE stove to buy for backcountry trips. It has a fast boil time, it is light, parts are easy to clean, and you can put almost anything as far as fuel goes into it to get it running.

This stove is a beast and perfect for the gourmet backcountry cook or inhabitant of the colder regions. It has a very wide base, won't ever tip over, and sounds like an airplane when you really let it loose.

I generally use my canister stove these days but this thing should last a lifetime.

Great stove. Got it for my wife. She really likes it...When I let her use it. Have used it in sun, rain, and even ice fishing. Have used it for making everything from ramen noodles to hollandaise sauce. Never a scorch. Great fuel efficiency too. Only problem being it can be a little hard to light the priming fuel. Once that's done though, primes easily and well. It often spends time on the sideboard of my grill simmering secret sauce.

I've had this stove for over a decade and I am really terrible at maintenance. Fortunately, I've never had to clean it, or do anything other than just use it.
It packs lightly and takes up almost no space.
Lighting is easy as well. I pulled out my stove a couple of days ago after several years of no use and it started up first try.

Temp/flame control is very easy to control. It is loud, but who cares?

This is the only stove I have every owned, and the only one I ever foresee needing to own. The only way I would ever need another one is if mine were stolen or I dropped it off of a mountain.

The DragonFly may weigh a little more than other white gas stoves but it's worth it when you need flame control in the backcountry. The dual control valves allow for more precise flame control than single valve systems like that used on the Whisperlite and means less burnt food. I've boiled water for 12 and cooked the freshest lake trout I've ever had on a DragonFly and it performs well in either situation. The wide pot supports allow it to handle cooking for larger groups especially well. It's a little loud, but it cooks just as well at 9,000 feet as it does at sea level... and in 9 years I've never had it fail to light.

It sets up easily and strips down for field maintenance without problems, at least in my experience. The fuel pump works well but I would suggest taking an extra on long trips because of the plastic construction. The DragonFly requires a little bit of love & care every once in a while to keep it going 100%, but the shaker valve will keep it running just in between cleanings and maintenance.

I can't think of any time the DragonFly has let me down and my experience with MSR has been nothing but positive. It's a great stove if you want to do more cooking than boiling in the backcountry and for me it's proven to be extremely reliable in every situation I've faced.

Works awesome!! It is not as loud as a lot of people make it sound. It is sort of loud, but not more then you would expect a stove that is designed like that to be. I mean they are very small and put out a ton of heat. Being able to adjust the heat is priceless. It also works well in wind, Ive never had it blow out on me...but regardless it came with a wind shield which helps that out anyways. The fact that it burns just about everything makes it a no brainer as well....you can pretty much get fuel anywhere you are, in the world. I guess it's a little bulky for backpacking compared to something like a pocket rocket, but your also not limited to isopropyl canisters either. Only complaint is that the pot holders are a little too wide for smaller cups, sauce pans, and coffee makers. The really small ones fit, but barely..you just have to be careful making sure they are perfectly centered.

I've had the dragonfly for 6 years. During those 6 years I've tested and sold other stoves from Vaude, Snow Peak, Coleman etc. I have yet to find a stove that is as durable and versatile. Great temp control. EASY SET-UP. Use it all year long. Handles several fuels. I cannot say enough. Time and time again I come back to using this stove. Electronic starters on other stoves are nothing more than a gimmic. Don't get wrapped up in them. They do not work half the time anyway. Fuel canisters are a pain in the butt. You always end up with half used canisters laying around. With the dragonfly you can refill your fuel bottles. You'll end up happy you bought this stove, do not let price deter you.

on my last backpacking trip, i was able to borrow my friend's dragonfly, and while i probably will not be able to afford one, i was incredibly impressed by its SOLID performance. even despite my stupidity, i was able to get it started and cruising every time without a problem, even in strong winds and dampness. it boiled water quickly, and the simmer function works very well. my only qualm is the stove's size - if you're going to be just boiling water or doing other super simple cooking, you'd be better off with a smaller, lighter, and cheaper MSR stove. great though if you're a backcountry chef and like doing fancy things with your cuisine. either way - highly recommended.

Length of ownership: 3 years
Reliability: 100%
Meet the requirements: 100%
trips per year: 5 times at 3 times per day at 3 days per trip.
I always have tea, water for rice or noodles, eggs, bacon, stir fry...
Heat control is excellent with a main valve plus a fine adjustment valve.
Just pump, pre-heat, go.
It works in rain, high winds (I think it comes with a aluminum wind shield)

Now... what they don't tell you as if the name DRAGON did not make any sense to you.

It is LOUD. After cooking, I need about 10 minutes for the ringing to go away. I guess you can plug your ears...

I am going to shop for another stove for medium weight packing and heavy duty cooking.

If anyone can recommend my next purchase: High performance; quiet, let me know.

Well other than the stove sounding like a freight train it generates quickly and get hottttt fast! I used 1 quart of tap water in a medium pot and the water got to a rolling boil in a little over 3 minutes. Very impressive.

this stove allows for real cooking, not just water boiling. Yeah it is bigger and a little heavier but not enough to notice or care.

This is the do all stove period. And in simmers for all you gormands out there

The best part about the DragonFly is its ability to simmer easily. This is great for everything from simple to gourmet cooking because of its wide flame base and its ability to simmer. It also is a great snow melter. (If you really need a stove for serious snow-melting, get an XGK-EX, also by MSR). It handles large pots because of its wide pot supports. If someone needed just one stove to cover everything, this is it.

Nitpick: It's heavy, like just about every other white-gas stove out there.

I've had this for about 5 years, and never had a problem with it. It is really nice to be able to adjust the flame for different cooking/heating needs. Yes, it could be a little lighter, but there are other ways I can save weight other than going with a less reliable stove. It heats water fast, and folds down to be relatively compact. The only downside (besides the price, which is worth it) would be that it is indeed noisy when turned up all the way. But I just view the noise as obvious evidence what a good job it does in combusting the fuel. Following the instructions, lighting it is a snap. Needless to say, I really like this stove.

I absolutely love this stove. I don't ever have to worry about how low I need a flame to simmer a meal or how high I need it to boil the water faster. The MSR Dragonfly gives you complete control of the flame. Simple get the pressure built in the bottle, lite the stove, and adjust the flame and heat intensity to your cooking needs. I have owned this stove for a couple years now and it never lets me down. In my opinion, it is worth the extra money to have the control and fuel options this stoves gives the user.

Update 02/2010: I use white gas and haven't had to clean anything out or do repairs. It is sturdy and light weight. It does live up to the word "dragon" regarding noise. It is quite loud that after cooking I am always surprised how quiet it is around me. Still works great and I don't expect that to change anytime soon.

I have been using this stove for years, and just experienced my first problem. Well, not really, when I lite it it burned very slowly. All I had to do is clean the nipple with the tool and it was back to welding torch intensity. That was the first time I had to clean it after untold number of uses.

While I have never needed to burn donkey pee in it, it is nice to know it is an option while in some remote outpost. J/K, but it will burn just about anything else.

This is a solid, dependable stove for ALL CONDITIONS. It is not the lightest, or most compact stove on the market, but it is the best all around stove, period.

This stove is bomb-proof. It's more efficient than canister stoves in a wider range of circumstances. Ever had half-empty canisters with no more accelerant after a winter trip? Never waste fuel again with this stove! It boils fast and furious, and can go from a rolling boil to a simmer instantly. That's right, you can cook angel-hair pasta, rice, potatoes... virtually anything you can pack with this stove. I have been using it for about a year now and have had no problems.

I have tiied Dragonfly this year in high winds and 20 degree temperature and it worked flowlessly. I like the compect design and stability as well as fast boiling capacity. I am going to Everest Base Camp in Oct. '09 . That would be the true test of a ` Base camp Stove' . I will give 5 stars , fo far.

This thing is a beast. This is the stove for long-term backcountry adventures and winter camping. It's a little loud, but that just means it's working. It's not small enough to support your dinky titanium mug, but if you're man enough to carry this stove, you can handle a pot or two in your backpack as well.

I've been using the dragonfly for years now - and have found it to perform simply and flawlessly, given regular maintenance and cleaning. It boils water faster than any stove I've used, and can still simmer and bake like a charm. My only complaint is the noise - it does indeed sound like a rocket ship getting ready for takeoff. if you are into cuisine, this is your stove; for simple boiling/etc, I would go with the bombproof whisperlite.

Flame control is excellent. I'm very happy with it.

very light weight burns a long time and can even use jet fuel infact any fule you name it i think its great and its worth the price.

btw..... you should get extra fuel bottles and an expidition repair kit and go to msr's main web site and they have electric ignitors.

Reliable from the desert heat to the Arctic cold; in the wind, snow, and rain. Lights up after being dunked in water, melts snow and boils water like a flamethrower, less likely to remove eyebrows when under your vestibule. Forget about saving a few bucks and a few ounces and get the stove that fires up right the first time, every time.

I just took my first trip with this guy- light weight, sips the fuel and heats up quick.
Very,very pleased with it. Make sure to buy a fuel bottle to go with it.

This stove takes it. If you are tough on gear or durability is a concern, this is a fantastic stove. I've used the stove in the rain, snow, heat and -10* weather. The stove cooks beautifully! The simmer control allows actual cooking to occur, and the steady base can support a loaded 10-inch dutch oven. This is the only stove I need.
After 3 years, my Dragonfly broke...or so I thought. The stove split into two pieces, with the flame cup separating from the base. At first, I was ticked, but to my surprise the stove still worked. After 2 years of this separation, the stove is still going. It will not die!

Bottom Line: Cooks like a champ and refuses to die.

We were hesitant at first cause' we're so cheap, but my husband & I purchased this stove for backpacking and it is AWESOME! It did everything we needed and it packs light too. We had great food, and the stove worked perfectly! Buy this one, you won't regret it!

Have owned this stove for several years and used in all weathers - from 5 degrees and snow to driving rain - and it has performed flawlessly. Maintenance has been minimal and temperature control is outstanding -- and validated by my pastry-chef-camp- pal! Stable, relatively light weight and very fuel efficient.
The only items causing this to fall short of a perfect score are the relative frailty of the pump (shattered my first one with a short fall off a rock) and the loudness of the stove when on full afterburner. Otherwise, though, top-notch!