Faulty Optimus Crux Lite Stove?

As good as it is for being lightweight and I like the big wide burner, the darn thing keeps going out when I have it down low for simmering. It seems ok-ish when it's turned up high but I don't want it up high, even when I'm heating up water for a hot drink I like to leave it down low and let it take it's time. To make matters worse when I try and turn it up it goes out so I have to keep relighting it - it's a pain in the ass! Is this just a characteristic of this particular model of stove or does it sound faulty i.e. the valve/control? It was like this from when I bought it (last March from WebTogs) I thought perhaps it was because it was new initially but it was still like it during my recent October trip. So whilst it's under warranty, do I return it for replacement, or credit/refund and buy a different one i.e. pocket rocket? It'd be useful if anyone else who has one of these stoves could comment. Thanks.

I dont have one but that sounds either faulty or a crap design.  I have a pocket rocket and have never had a problem with it.  100% dependable and even has a nifty wee case!

Sounds faulty to me from your description, a bit like a car engine with the wrong air/fuel mixture....

Like Simon I have a pocket Rocket and it is great, nothing like you describe.

SMM has a PR for sale in the classifieds just now, by the way.

I had the Crux, which was bad - three versions of it. Used to get flame coming out of the lower ports if I tried to simmer, and the heads wobbled badly. Optimus changed it for the Crux Lite, which is fine. I do find tho that the simmering is quite finicky, I need to be careful as I adjust if, so fine is the control. But otherwise, it's great.
Optimus have generally been pretty good - I and my sons all have Novas and when there's been the odd prob with these, they've been helpful.

I had an old design one that presented the same problem. I sent it back and it was replaced without quibble.

I've had a Crux and a Crux Lite, both of which were absolutely hopeless for simmering. 

The flame adjustment mechanism had a degree of back-and-forth movement, and you could put the flame out just by nudging it.  I have noticed exactly the same problem in a Jetboil Flash too.

I've now got an Edelrid (Kiro Ti), which I can thoroughly recommend - adjusts from a tiny flame to an absolute roar (and every point in between) very smoothly.

Never had any problems with my Crux Lite, dont have the need to use simmer much but never noticed any problems when i have.

I'd definitely take it in preference to the Pocket Rocket, got mine about 18 months ago.

Thanks for the comments. The Edelrid Kiro Ti looks good but WebTogs don't sell those, I thought it was Japanese from the name not German

Those of you that have an MSR Pocket Rocket are they OK down low/simmering then? Does a titanium mug fit on top of it OK?

The Optimus Crux stoves are expensive n' all I'd expect better, and they're more expensive now than when I bought mine last year. It seems as though mine is faulty but from the replies they seem to have issues being turned down low in any case so I don't really want a replacement. If I have mine down low it fades and goes out eventually, like I say it wouldn't be so bad if I could turn it up but that puts it out. The previous cheap stove I bought off eBay was more controllable but it broke. It had piezo ignition which I thought would be a useful feature but it very rarely actually worked even when continually pressing it.

I'm even considering going back to using the Campinggaz type pierceable gas canister stoves, heavier but they're more reliable and the gas canisters are cheaper.

Masterluke - I use a Vango Ultralite Stove for summer use which is very similar and can be picked up easily for £15 and its an absolute gem (not least because of the low cost!) and simmers well.

Thanks for the recommendation Worzel I've seen those on eBay.

This definitely isn't right Masterluke - get it back to us here at Webtogs and we'll get it checked out and a refund or credit applied back to your account, I'll mail you shortly.

Thanks Gareth, I'll get it sent off to you soon.

I bought one of these as replacement, which arrived from the far east, eventually:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ultra-Mini-Stainless-Steel-Gas-Camping-Stove-Case-/220743281734

First impressions - what a great little stove esp. for what I paid for it. It has piezo ignition which actually works! Weighs 96g which isn't bad at all for that price. It's thankfully very controllable unlike the finicky Crux Lite, I can turn it down to a small candle-like flame and don't have to worry about it going out. It has a fairly small burner but the flame spreads out as you turn it up, is ideal for my titanium mug anyway don't know about my bigger pan until I use it properly. I've booked some time off work for a backpacking trip early May, all I need to do now is decide where I'm going, Cairngorms again probably, so I'll get to use it in anger along with my new North Face jacket. All I need now is some nasty weather and a gas bottle.

A big thank you to Webtogs for a full refund for the returned faulty Crux Lite. They deserve a plug for their great customer service.