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Topic: Gas Heaters, whats best?

Ianr1153

30/8/2009 at 10:15am
Location: North Yorks
Outfit: Royal Bordeaux 4

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I was thinking of getting a Coleman Blackcat heater, but the Campingaz Bluecat looks similar and is cheaper. Which one is best or is there a better gas heater out there?

Bradybunch4

30/8/2009 at 11:15am
Location: East Kent
Outfit: Cabanons x 2. Norfolk Lake

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We`ve got a Bluecat, which I bought after doing a lot of research last year. Have yet to use it though. But people who had one reccommended it

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Zorro01

30/8/2009 at 11:18am
Location: Weegieland Scotland
Outfit: SunValley 8

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Bear in mind that they use different gas canisters. And, to add to the confusion, there are two versions of the Blackcat, each using a different gas canister. I ordered a Blackcat recently, and was sent a Bluecat. The company couldn't understand why I was making such a fuss. (Blackcat, Bluecat, Siamese cat. What's the difference ?!)

Apart from that, they're pretty much identical !! Pretty safe and pretty effective. It's the only design of gas heater that I would feel comfortable with using inside a tent.

If I were buying one, I'd choose the one that uses the same gas canister as any other gas equipment that I already own.

Ianr1153

30/8/2009 at 12:38pm
Location: North Yorks
Outfit: Royal Bordeaux 4

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Aren't both Blackcat and Bluecat heaters the same gas can? Cv470

Zorro01

30/8/2009 at 1:37pm
Location: Weegieland Scotland
Outfit: SunValley 8

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Quote: Originally posted by Ianr1153 on 30/8/2009
Aren't both Blackcat and Bluecat heaters the same gas can? Cv470

The bluecat takes the CV470, which is a clip on, I think.

One version of the Blackcat take the standard screw on butane, and the other version uses the Coleman Propane 1lb canister.

I don't think that the CV470 and the standard screw ons are interchangeable. And the propane canister is definitely not interchangeable with the butane ones.

suns

30/8/2009 at 1:48pm
Location: None Entered
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I thought the Blackcat had been stopped?

Zorro01

30/8/2009 at 5:11pm
Location: Weegieland Scotland
Outfit: SunValley 8

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Quote: Originally posted by suns on 30/8/2009
I thought the Blackcat had been stopped?

Both versions are still on the Coleman website, and I bought a propane one a few weeks ago. At a good price, ready for the winter.

JK98

31/8/2009 at 12:46am
Location: Coventry
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We've got one of each - our Blackcat is the one with the black propane bottles. Both of these seem to give out the same amount of heat, and are virtually the same in use. However, the cannisters for the Bluecat seem to be more widely available.

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Ianr1153

31/8/2009 at 8:29am
Location: North Yorks
Outfit: Royal Bordeaux 4

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Quote: Originally posted by JK98 on 31/8/2009
We've got one of each - our Blackcat is the one with the black propane bottles. Both of these seem to give out the same amount of heat, and are virtually the same in use. However, the cannisters for the Bluecat seem to be more widely available.

That does it then. Bluecat for me, both the unit and the cannister are cheaper, and if the bluecat cannisters are easier to get, it's a no brainer.
Thanks everyone.

B Chrystie

31/8/2009 at 1:48pm
Location: south london
Outfit: khyam Rigipod Excelsior

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Just one other issue to take into consideration .... how cold are you expecting to be when you use the heater? Butane becomes pretty ineffective below about 5 degrees (and it gets even colder than the surroundings once you start to use the gas as it evaporates in the can). Propane is designed for cold weather use.

Zorro01

31/8/2009 at 2:47pm
Location: Weegieland Scotland
Outfit: SunValley 8

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Quote: Originally posted by B Chrystie on 31/8/2009
Butane becomes pretty ineffective below about 5 degrees Propane is designed for cold weather use.

Quite. It would be ironic to have a heater that doesn't work, because it's too cold to operate !

MrJuggles

31/8/2009 at 3:37pm
Location: Nottinghamshire
Outfit: Vango Kura 600

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OK, now I know in other forums if you redirect the thread it's classed as "Thread Hijacking" but this is on the same subject so I hope this doesn't count.
Someone I spoke to at the weekend said that he'd never had a problem with the Portable gas heater but on here there seems to be a leaning towards the Campingaz BlueCat Heater
Is there a difference in heat output and how that gets about your tent, the Blue cat has specs on the power output but the other doesn't.
And I have a vango Kura 600 (big centre space) would you use it in a pod?
cheers for any input in advance.

Zorro01

31/8/2009 at 5:36pm
Location: Weegieland Scotland
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The BlueCats and BlackCats are catalytic heaters. No naked flames, but a gentle convection of heat.

The portable gas heater linked above does have a naked flame, but gives out a more instant heat. I've got one kicking about somewhere, but I can't remember the output. The Cat heaters have outputs of around 800 or 900 Watts.

I stopped using the portable flame one because I couldn't relax while my accident prone menagerie clomped around, threatening to knock it over every five minutes. With the BlackCat, I'm more relaxed, but still vigilant. And the heat output is fine for me.

Being a mean tight fisted person, I suppose that subconsciously I'm happier at the fact the BlackCat uses fuel more slowly than the flame one. And therefore costs me less to run. Also, as the BlackCat has no visible flame, Mrs Happy doesn't always notice that I've turned it off without her looking. Saves even more money.

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