"I am an old Coleman 502 fan. I got a 502 back in 1968 and have that same stove today.
I received a Apex II back in 2004. It was light. It was noisy. It had fuel bottles to mess with. I was not impressed at first. It took me over a year before I was willing to give this stove a try out and a chance.
After getting used to this stove and learning that after you get it started you need to pump it again. I have come to depend on this stove almost as much as I do my trusty, sturdy old 502.
I carry it as a backup and as an extra burner when I go car camping. I use wood now more then anything. The old 502 has spent the last 2 years unused.
Plus: It is light. It runs better then the MSR whisper light. It is inexpensive to buy. Coleman backs this stove with a fantastic support system. It simmers like a dream. It is very stable. Though it feels light this stove will take a beating and bend back in shape for more.
Minus: It feels weak, Until you get over the feel you are afraid to put this stove to a real test with a 2 gallon pot. The hose is not long enough. The fuel bottle does not come in 32Oz. When cold it sputters for a long time. Cold weather(-0F) it should be preheated.
Given a choice and weight is a factor, The Apex II would be my choicefor a backup to wood. If weight is not a factor, I will be taking the 502 with me.
Don"
"Had this stove since 2000 (and used it extensively for backbacking and motorcycle travel) and I believe it is a great value above pricier, sexier models from MSR, etc. Flame control is the BEST. Reliable and simple. I had the same problem as everyone when the hose sprung a leak...I took it to an industrial hose place and had them make me a new one."
"I agree with all of the highly rated reviews here. This is a great stove that simmers like no other. I've had mine for 7 years and, like others, it finally developed the leak in the hose. But wait... This is a cheap and easy (okay moderately easy) thing to fix. Simply replace the hose with a 3/16" ID fuel line hose from your local hardware store. First unscrew the hose from the pump assembly then cut off the brass hose clamps on either end - I used my Dremel with a cutoff disc. Pry off the brass clamp with screwdriver. Using the cutoff disc and a utility knife, cut the braided hose from both ends leaving you the tip (that goes into the stove) and the pump assembly nozzle. Both parts are barbed brass and fit right into the 3/16" ID rubber fuel line. Add some cheap hose clamps on each end and, viola! For $3 you can continue to use this great stove!"
"I have used many stoves in my time. I am extremely rough with my equipment(tend to drop them or kick them over). I recently purchased the apex II. The stove preformed extremely well. As good as my MSR and slightly less expensive. The seperate fuel bottle is nice, always have a spare, and it takes several fuels. The stove was a good purchase and hopefully I won't destroy this one. HAPPY TRAILS"
"I bought my apex II in 1994 and have used it on at least 2 dozen trips. it's been extremely reliable. The only two problems I've had have been the platform adjustments are a little difficult if your hands are cold and the windscreen is a little flimsy. I stepped on mine the third trip and havent repaced it. it still works fine."
"I have had my ApexII for 2 years and it has been outstanding in several categroies. It's very stable having 3 legs like a lunar landing module and squatty with enough surface area to support a one quart cookpot. It has a detatched fuel bottle that holds enough fuel for a weekend trip. I especially like the flame adjustment that allows it to run on high to boil water and low for use with my outback oven. It also fits well inside my one cookpot even with the built in wind-screen. The weight is what I would expect in a backpacking stove. Just be careful not to loose the hose-plug."
"I have had my Apex II for about 4 years now and have no complaints. I have used it dozens with great success. Two things that could be improved are the pulsating sound it makes when running and I recently learned that the threads on the fuel bottle are not the same as a MSR bottle so you must buy a Coleman for a spare (or carry an MSR bottle and fill your Coleman in the field)."
"I had my Apex II for about 4 years and was very pleased with it. The fuel hose eventually developed a leak and I was unable to order a replacement hose. Coleman sells the entire pump with the hose for $35, but I only paid $60 for the stove in the first place."
"My parents bought me an Apex II stove for Christmas about 10 years ago, and it has proved reliable ever since. The only problem is that it started leaking fuel from the pump/stove reciever after a few years. A new O-ring fixed that right up. I also realized that if you give it a few more pumps after it is going good, the pulses stop and it becomes a beautiful, steady flame. It works great."
"I bought this stove in 2000. I used it for a month straight (car camping), lent it to a friend who used it for six weeks on the AT. Lighter than an MSR Whisper Light and doesn't get sooty. The fuel hose has just this weekend developed a leak, but I've more than gotten my money's worth."
"I have used mine Apex II for over 8 years. Great stove. No complaints. I own three others but always use the Apex for when you need to simmer without burning the bottom of the pan. Unfortunately it developed a leak in the fuel hose last year and found out that have to replace the whole pump assembly for $30 + shipping and I can buy the whole stove (which I did) for $45 + shipping."
"FYI: I got a leak in my fuel hose, called up Coleman, and they replaced it for free. I had to pay to ship the broken one to them, but that's it."
"I bought my Apex II stove in Nov. 1995 and like it very much. It has been a no-hassle stove and is easy to use. It recently developed a leak in the fuel delivery hose, a problem noted on several of the previous reviews. It is sad that one apparently cannot buy a replacement hose without also buying the pump."
"The Apex II is a component stove along the design lines of MSR. It is fairly lightweight and the flame level is easily adjustable. It's initial purchase price is attractive...but does not represent value. I've had mine for about two years and have, on numerous attempts, made an effort to "like" it on outings where the absence of solid performance is not a show-stopper. Unfortunately, the Apex II comes up short on heat output, both in advertised BTU ratings and in the field. It is also easily bent and I find myself with each use having to tweak the burner back into shape/alignment. I also find that this stove requires priming with an alcohol gel or paste for best performance...otherwise it's a slow and tedious process to get to the point where you have blue flame. Self-priming seems to be a lost cause. For those outings where performance and reliability is needed, the slightly more expensive MSR Whisperlite International or Dragonfly are what go in my pack."
