I just received the JetBoil Sol TI from REI. We already have a JetBoil Sol (AL). I'm a little disappointed in the weight difference I got for $30. I literally fell for the marketing spin. JetBoil provides 8.5 oz as the system weight for the Sol TI. For the Sol (AL) they provide 10.5 oz. I somehow missed the fact that they weren't comparing apples to apples. The system weight for the Sol (AL) includes the measuring cup, while the system weight for the Sol TI doesn't. That makes the difference look bigger than it really is. My fault - it is all on their website, I just stopped reading at the number for the system weight and didn't pay attention to the listed components that are excluded from the system weight.

So here are the detailed data for both systems. As you can see, the "real" difference is only 1 oz - the combined difference in cup and cozy. That is only 50% of the marketed difference between the systems. Of course we know by now that is because the system weight for the Sol TI doesn't include the measuring cup ...

Edited by Orienteering on 04/26/2011 21:29:37 MDT.

Thanks for the detailed measurements, Manfred. I still think the Ti is worth it between the two, because of the long term durability of Ti vs. Al and of course an ounce is an ounce, but that's just me. :)

You are right an ounce is an ounce. Since I got it from REI I could easily return it, exchange it for the AL model and save $30. I will still keep the Sol TI -- because an ounze is an ounze.

My disppointment is based on feeling misled by JetBoil into believing the difference would be 2 ounces. Why do they include the measuring cup in the system weight for the SOL (AL) and don't include it in the system weight for the SOL TI? For anyone who compares the system weights (without looking into the details of what makes up the systems) the expectation would be that the difference is 2 oz. In reality the difference between the two JetBoil cups is 3/4 of an oz. Adding the difference of 1/4 oz between the cozies, makes for a system difference of 1 oz. It would be more honest if JetBoil would really compare apples to apples in their system weights.

Manfred

Edited by Orienteering on 04/27/2011 23:27:26 MDT.

"It would be more honest if JetBoil would really compare apples to apples in their system weights."

Marketing people are not paid to be more honest. They are paid to have the product sell successfully.

--B.G.--

And they obviously did a good job -- I fell for it ...

On the JetBoil Compare Systems page all systems are marked as "* System weight does not include pot support, fuel stabilizer and measuring cup." however the weights are the same as on the individual spec page, which specify varying list of included items. I just sent them an email asking for clarification on this and the cup inclusion/exclusion issue - we'll see if I get a response.

Edited by rmkrause on 04/27/2011 01:24:59 MDT.

are the boil times and efficiency the same between the 2 ... hmmmmm

+1 to eric on the boil times every one here says that aluminum is a better conductor of heat also is the cozy better on the aluminum model I see complaints on the ti model cozy and handle and since this one is heavier..... So is the Handle and cozy better?

I admit they got me on the 2oz vs 1oz actual weight difference. I am less interested what difference, if any, exists between boil time of the alu vs ti pot, and more between the cozy and the bond between the ti pot and what appears to be an alu flux ring. Can anyone confirm if the flux ring on the ti pot is aluminum or ti?

I bought the Ti Sol knowing about the weight difference without the cup. I bought it because I thought the titanium would be tougher, It probably is. If I did it over again I would probably get the aluminum one. My old PCS was aluminum and it was plenty tough. I do have to say though this stove rocks!

As Manfred said, and ounce is an ouce. But I'm a bit curious about those buying the Ti for the extra durability. True, Ti is stronger than Aluminum, but when was the last time you've heard of anyone busting an Aluminum Jetboil PCS? They always appeared burley enough to me. Unless I took a direct fall on it, I just don't see it breaking...and if a direct fall strong enough to damage a jetoil pcs were involved, I probably would have bigger problems of my own. That said, many people have paid more than $30 to save an ounce...such is the reality of being in an UL mind set during an age of emerging technology and awesome marketing. :)

Edited by Konrad1013 on 04/27/2011 18:49:45 MDT.

I can answer this question because I was accidentally shipped the aluminum companion pot instead of a titanium JetBoil system. I waited an extra week+ to get the stove, and it finally arrived yesterday.

The handle and cozy is definitely better on the aluminum model. So much so that I'm going to call JetBoil tomorrow to see if I can order an aluminum cozy for my titanium cup.

Hmmm....I'm wondering if I should start feeling a bit bamboozled. I bought my Ti last night, and the choice betweeen it and AL model was 100% based on the advertised 2oz weight differential.

Here's the comparison chart from the JetBoil website:


v

The graphic pretty clearly suggests the Ti model is 2 oz lighter than the Al model, based on an apples-to-apples comparison.

Does anyone have an AL Sol on hand for a real-life weight confirmation that the 10.5 oz weight INCLUDES the measuring cup?

My Sol Ti weighs in at the advertised 8.5 oz, not including the cup.

The first post in this thread is based on actual (not listed) weights. He listed a chart at the bottom of his post with the individual weights of each piece from both set-ups.

Chris,

If you go on the individual product descriptions on the JetBoil website you will find for the Sol under Specs for weight 10.5 oz (300 g* System weight does not include pot support and fuel stabilizer.)

If you look the same data up for the Sol TI you will find 8.5 oz (240 g) * system weight does not include pot support, fuel stabilizer and measuring cup

You can see the detailed weights for all components in my first post. My SoL TI has a system weight of 8.65 oz (without pot support, fuel stabilizer and measuring cup)
My Sol (AL) has a system weight of 10.8 oz (without pot support and fuel stabilizer BUT WITH measuring cup).

At least on the individual pages they clearly state what makes up the system. On the comparision page it is absolutely misleading.

Manfred

Edited by Orienteering on 04/27/2011 21:08:42 MDT.

What I see is that the Ti Sol could be at about 7.5 oz. with an MYOG Aluminum foil lid and no cozy!

I tested both systems under the following conditions
- 16 oz of water at room temperature
- no lid (so I can see when the rolling boil starts)

The results were as follows

Sol TI: 1 min 38 sec
Sol (AL): 1 min 40 sec

So from my point of view both systems get 16 oz of water to a rolling boil in the same time.

Manfred

P.S.: One interesting observation happened afterwards when I wiped the cups dry. The TI cup was cold to the touch. The AL cup was still very warm.

thank for the test .... we can probably assume they used more or less the same amount of fuel IMO ... assuming you boiled at the same setting ... at least there wont be enough difference to matter

i suspect the longer warmth of the AL may be due to the better sleeve ...

what i really want to know now is the actual weight of the jetboil zip PCS ... i suspect a large similarity of parts with the SOL AL

it is MUCH cheaper ... hmmmmm

I find that they have a zip stove on their site that might share the same pot as the sol aluminum its 12oz with everything except stabilizer and pot support which it includes for 69.99

I ran a similar test with the Sol Ti and came up with a similar result:

500ml water to a rolling boil in 1:45.

Excellent performance from both stoves, it appears.

Given the flimsier cozy on the Sol Ti and the actual weight savings of only 1 oz over the Sol, the $30 premium isn't looking so reasonable, anymore.

Time for me to hit the returns counter.