This thread reminds me of the old joke: a sky diver discovers his chute is malfunctioning and will not open. To his surprise he passes a guy who is going up. While they pass the skydiver shouts "Hey you know anything about parachutes"? In response he hears "no, you know anything about Coleman stoves?"
I think of that old joke every single time I light my trusty Coleman!

I think what cubscout said about the ability to regulate the flame....is why I purchased the Whisperlite International instead of the XKG. That and the fact that is about half the price of the XKG. I researched all the stoves on the market and for my use the best option was the Whisperlite International.
One a side note, I had an old Optimus that folded up into a small self contained square box. I sold it when I was in Okinawa to a Japanese guy. I still don't know what caused me to sell it...it was one of the neatest little stoves I have ever owned. I guess the "newer improved" model was getting rants and raves in the latest edition of BACKPACKER magazine and I felt I needed something better. Still kicking my self in the behind over that decission.
By the way, this magazine does reviews on lots of different camping gear for you guys that don't know.
WW

When you go to the MSR website, the XKG is the only one that specifies use of aviation fuel. The whisperlite only says unleaded fuel.

Bill,
It is an MSR, the "international" model. I have a friend in AK with a C-170 that showed me this "trick" one March when it was -10 and he offered to give me a ride back to FAI form Ft Greeley.

Chip "Centennial"

I've used an MSR Dragonfly stove for the last 8 years or so for backpacking and camping. Great never-fail stove, although it does sounds like an F-14 with both afterburners on when you crank it. When it's cold, that can still be a pretty sweet sound.

It'll definitely burn avgas, although I'd only do that in an emergency. I prefer my coffee unleaded!

I might rig up a preheater using it, and use avgas for that purpose though.

I use a Optimus Nova+. I looked at different multi-fuel stoves for a long time before I found one that I liked. I thought the MSR looked nice but I was not keen on the plastic pump...I knew I would break it. the nova has been a great stove. I only run it on 100LL or mogas. have had to clean it a few times but it is real easy.

+1 on the Dragonfly. Have had the XGK for 6 years. Just got the Dragonfly b/c it has the same high heat output for preheating and can burn all fuels, but has an extra valve to enable decreased heat so you don't burn your pancakes and soup doesn't boil over. The Dragonfly pot holders are permanently attached, so now my stovepipe sits on top of the holder. The XGK would fit inside to pipe with the potholders removed - I have lots of holes cut in the pipe. The Optimus Nova looks pretty sweet, but I have no experience.
Would also second the comment on replacing the O-rings every few years on the MSR stoves. had a seal dry out (~20 years old) and fuel leaked with the stove on - almost set the Frank Church on fire!

I know this is an older thread but I saw a notice on the news this morning that there is a recall on the Optimus Nova stove. I think it only covered ones manufactured '09-10.
http://www.optimusstoves.com/usen/service/nova-recall/
WW

650 bucks is a lot of money for that northern companion pre-heater - especially since it's just a camp stove and I already own one.

XKG is a fantastic stove, no doubt about it. Much like Denali Pilot, I've used mine in the high alt of Kluane & St-Elias, in the wind, in the snow and rain and works great... it does, has mentioned a few times, have only one gear...full out...Its made to heat and heat quick. The only downside for me is its weight & size, especially for sheep hunting or in a rescue/emergency kit in the plane so for that reason, I have bought the MSR Pocket rocket stove...downside for hunting is that you cant get rid of the canister...anyways.... the XKG is a good gig but will require maintenance. Have had mine for 8+ years and like it, you can also get few different size bottles which means you can carry different type of heating liquids with you for various purposes.

When I write about this, it reminds me of a story that hopefully will stick with the reader for the rest of his/her life...not to sell the punch here but moral of the story is never drink out of a canister before at least smelling it... A dog musher came into the Dawson City check point some years ago during the Yukon Quest, at night, exhausted and thirsty...he picked up the red bottle laying on the table & swallowed couple thick gulps of what he thought was juice/water.... it was of course stove fuel...cant remember what kind but when he puked it out, it came with all the skin the gas had come in contact with, blood and deadly sounds...but in the end he survived...it wasnt the sunny delight he was hoping for.