"The Optimus 77/91 is something of an oddity. The 77 and 91 are almost identical, differing only in date of manufacture and some minor and unimportant details. They look like a slightly different version of the Trangia cook set, run on alcohol and shares many of the same idiosicrasies and strengths. It assemblies in the same manner as a Trangia and uses a brass burner that is slightly larger in capacity. Where it differs is instead having clips to hold the pot/fry pan a la Trangia, the Optimus has a ring of holes top and bottom and the pot drops right inside and rests on the upper edge of the wind break. Where the Optimus wins over the Trangia, at least for me, is the fry pan. It will safely cover a pot either way up unlike the Trangia, perfect for 2 stage meals, curry sauce and rice etc with the other pot upside down as a cover for the frypan.
There are a couple of down sides, niggles rather than actual flaws, the biggest being the hopeless simmer ring. It's a waste of time. Either toss it and use the rig as a one speed, or replace the burner with a Trangia item complete with simmer ring that does. The T simmer ring will not work very well on the Optimus burner, little better than the original. Luckily the T burner will fit straight in with no mods needed. The only other niggle is the fact that the upper and lower windshield just sit on each other in a locating ring unlike the Trangia that locks together. Only a small detail but does leave it a little more vulnerable to being bumped over. Both of these are only minor details that dont really detract from what is basically a fine cook set. A tad bulky for solo, it would be nearly perfect for 2 people. No moving parts to go wrong like the Trangia, just clean out the burner holes when ever you think about it with a paper clip or some such. Also like the Trangia it drinks alcohol like a frat boy on spring break, another reason to think of it more as a team cooker where the fuel load can be spread if being used for more than a few days. Doesn't have the very neat kettle option a la Trangia either, but you can put the burner on the ground, then turn the windbreak and burner holder upside down over the top for heating a coffee perk, kettle etc.
If you like the idea of an integrated cook set that runs on alcohol and want something a little different to a Trangia, the 77 or 91 Tor is an excellent option. Interestingly neither is marked with the Optimus name and are often mistaken for an Asian knock-off of a Trangia, often meaning they can be picked up quite-to-very cheaply second hand. Solid, reliable and effective."
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