Here are three Peak 1 Apex-type stoves. By the first picture in the group, we have: 1. Peak 1 Apex (black) - 1993 2. Peak 1 Apex II Exponent (copper) - 2002 3. Peak 1 Apex II (silver) - 1999 The black Apex stove burns Coleman Fuel or Kerosene with the included generator (Notice the notches on the retaining nut.) Also instead of a plug, like the other stoves, a black cap is used to cover the female connector on the stove. One more thing to notice is the feet are attached with bolt and nut rather than rivets on the later models. This stove includes maintenance kit and sack. The Apex II stoves are both Dual Fuel, meaning they will both burn Coleman Fuel or Unleaded Gasoline. Will use kerosene with the correct generator, according to the instructions. The silver Apex II has been fitted with a new hose, which is double the length of the others, and new metal braid (see this topic ). Also fitted with new O-rings. All will simmer or provide 7500 BTUs at maximum output. Bottles will allow 20 oz of fuel.
Nice one Sam ! Is it only the Exponant that has the thumb screw adjuster on the stove leg, to enable a level cooking platform ?. Nice litle feature (in theory) better than a twig or a stone under one of the stove legs.
That is a nice triplet of stoves you have there, every body think these stoves are butt ugly, but I like their futuristic look and from what I have read on the internet is that these stoves perform very well and simmer better then their counterparts from other brands. I realy would like to have one for myself. I guess E-bay is my friend in this case I have a couple of 550B's and these are essentialy the same except for the tank beeing attached via a hose compared to directly underneith and I am also happy with those. I do think that these do not burn as hot as compared to their 4XX brothers which have the generator running over the burner instead of along the side as the Apex and 550x stoves have, but they perform very well imho. gr, Arjan.
I also have never had one of these. They were quite affordable new, not that long ago. (Then again, when I lived in Seattle many years ago my boss tried to tell me that a small company that wrote something called "DOS" for the IMB computer we just bought would be a good investment, but nooooo). Does anyone know if the generator on the Apex is interchangeable with the 550B?
All three have the stove leg adjuster, which really works. I was skeptical at first, but when you put the stove on un-level ground, the adjuster can make the stove level very simply and easily. It makes it so your pot of boiling water doesn't slide off. You still have to find mostly level ground, i.e., it won't work on a hillside at 45° angles. At most 10° to 15° maybe?
I think the 550B generator is slightly different since the valve block is turned at an angle, while the apex valve block is not. sam
I think you are correct, I took another look at one of the closeups of your apex stove and noticed that the generator is positioned at (almost) 90 degrees, where as the 550x generator is at a 50 degree-ish angle. Perhaps with some heating and bending you MIGHT get a 550x generator to fit an Apex or teh other way around, but as far as I can see, the generators are slightly different. I won't be home during Christmas, but ounce I get home I'll see if I can get some pictures of a 550x kero generator which I have lying around. gr, Arjan.
Well same is true with my Coleman Exponent, its got a leveler but only to a max of 15 degrees on the foot so still need an almost level ground. Ron
Can you please tell me what is the advantage of the Apex II stoves? It seems unclear to me what a separate fuel tank and pump can provide other than lower the center of gravity of the burner. I have chance to get one, but must decide between the Apex II or the Exponent 550B. Please PM and thanks for your input. Alex
Depends on what you like. The lower center of gravity is a bonus. Both have leg levelers which work VERY well. Both will burn camp fuel or kero. The tank gets pretty hot on the 550, not so the Apex. The Apex hose is an extra area of concern/failure. The 550 has fewer parts to fail having the integrated pump. The Apex has more parts, o-rings, plastic tubes etc. So, if I could only pick one, it'd be the 550B. I've had both for 20 plus years and I like them both, but the Apex's hose puts the 550 just ahead by a smidge. Mike
I've got two 550B's, one rides in my truck, inside thc Coleman aluminium box/cook kit. I've got an older Apex (no II), but as Toonsgt says, bottle/hose/connector/stove... Bulkier. Works fine tho! You won't go wrong with either, although the 550 is still being made. Not sure about Apex.
Re: Advantages of Apex vs 550B I realize this is an ancient posting which I'm replying to, but I figure since I came across it researching the Apex, Apex II, and 550B just now, someone else might also Some of this was mentioned before, the advantages of a stove with integrated tank: -less potential points of failure -more compact (for a single person) Some advantages of the separated burner and fuel tank -ability to heavily and completely windscreen the burner portion without worrying about heating up the tank. This occured to me this summer in Waterton National park where while amazingly beautiful scenery, the wind can and regularly does gust to or above 50km/30mi/hr and I had to use the windscreens on my Coleman 425 briefcase stove to the fullest. -ability to split it, having one person carrying the fuel bottle and another the stove. This would probably be more relevant for weekend or shorter hikes, with longer hikes you'd probably have to supplement the 550B tank with another fuel bottle so that might matter less. -greater stability (although the 550B seems to have a decently low center of gravity). Personally I couldn't decide so I have just purchased both, a black Apex and a copper Exponent 550B. Basically what I'm saying is looking at sites like this has begun the emptying of my bank accounts One thing I'm curious about: Could you use an Apex II maintenance kit on an Apex? As well, if the "White gas / unleaded gasoline" Apex II can use a kerosene generator to actually be a 3 fuel stove, could the older Apex use a gasoline generator to also be a 3 fuel stove?
Greetings, I have several of the Apex I stoves, and they work very well, indeed. My wife and I used one on our last 241 mile trip in the high Sierra, and it worked like a champ. We burned kerosene, too, but used a ribbon of priming paste under the generator to prime it. No muss, no fuss, just great service. Our only problem with the Apex has been the really thin and crappy yellow fuel bottle o-ring, which WILL crack and break!! Replace that o-ring with a proper one of Nitrile or Viton rubber, and you are good to go. By the way, seek out and use an original Sigg Tourist windscreen for the Coleman stove. That, and the pot set that goes with it, works on both the Apex II and the 550B. We love and trust both stoves, and enjoy each for what each offers us. I'd say, get both the Apex II, AND the 550B Exponent. You will never be sorry that you did!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thanks a lot for that info Doc! One thing which swayed me to choose the Apex 1/2 and 550B (I did actually buy both!) for an example of a separated and integrated stoves, is they appear to have the same burner, leading me to think that any accessories I got for one might work for the other. Sounds like I was on the right track!
Hey, skorpiius, Well done!!! I predict that you are going to LOVE both stoves, and will use them often! Just be sure to read and follow the directions, and you'll be in like Flynn!! Have fun, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. Just saw your other post about this, and have to say, you have come down with the quickest case of Stove Pox that I've ever seen, in all my years as the resident CCS Stove Doc!! Good for you!!
Damn, I forgot all about this. Barely have gone camping since that fall in 2013 :/, but that's all changed this year ! Heading out to hoodoos of central Alberta tomorrow, just car camping but bringing the Apex, Exponent, and this baby to try out for the first time, in preparation for some backcountry camping in a few weeks. Sorry for the bump
