which of these 2 stoves is the better of the two ?

[thinktwicez71]

which stove do you think is a better stove , built to last longer , and has a better company standing behind it.

Pacific energy Vista

or

Lopi Answer

 

[Todd]

Toss up, flip a coin. I think I like the PE baffle better than the Lopi.

 

[thinktwicez71]

what about the ash dump on the vista ? any problems there ?

which warranty is better ?

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Are you looking at the insert or free standing stove?
Only major difference I saw on the inserts was on the blower...the Lopi uses 2 fan wheels, and the PE looks to only use one.
Looks like a coin toss on the insert, but maybe give the edge to the lopi on the blower.

 

[thinktwicez71]

would be freestanding

 

[madison]

which warranty is better ?

Very sore subject with PE owners

 

[Treacherous]

PE Warranty

Lopi (Page 36 of this PDF)

 

[thinktwicez71]

so i would have to give lopi the advantage in warranty after reading those ?

and what about build quality and design ? is the answer a better design than the vista ?

 

[bogydave]

Hopefully the warrantee never becomes an issue.

 

[Highbeam]

Is the PE model you chose the tiny one? The next step up is the spectrum which is the next step below the summit right? Get the spectrum, it is a superior firebox with primary and secondary air control. PE is a canadian company and Lopi is american but I still lean to the PE spectrum box for the reportedly extraordinary burn times. Best in class.

Don't go too small.

 

[Battenkiller]

Don't know about the Lopi, but PE uses IFB, don't they? I think I'd prefer hard firebrick for better heat storage. Aside from that, I have no idea.

 

[tickbitty]

Is the PE model you chose the tiny one? The next step up is the spectrum which is the next step below the summit right? Get the spectrum, it is a superior firebox with primary and secondary air control. PE is a canadian company and Lopi is american but I still lean to the PE spectrum box for the reportedly extraordinary burn times. Best in class.

Don't go too small.

That is the smaller PE but I don't know what the firebox capacity is. THat's also the smallest LOpi and has a 1.6 firebox. Likewise I would probably size up to the Endeavor or the Lopi Republic 1750 unless you are talking about a pretty small space you are trying to heat. I think both the Answer and the PE equivalent claim to go "up to" about 1400 sq feet but I would size up a bit if you are anywhere near that footage.

 

[tickbitty]

Don't know about the Lopi, but PE uses IFB, don't they? I think I'd prefer hard firebrick for better heat storage. Aside from that, I have no idea.

What's IFB? The lopi uses hard firebrick.

 

[nelraq]

It took a threat of court action from me before I could get the dealer to even come look at my "problem frought" PE Spectrum. They finally "fixed" the stove and I quickly sold it. Good riddance!!
Now I'm reading posts on this forum about cracks in the PE Summit fireboxes.
There's lots of great stoves out there - I'd keep looking!!

 

[Dexter]

FWIW: We had an Answer our previous house, an 880 square foot ranch. We used it as primary heat. (Yes, the bedrooms got chilly overnight on very cold nights.) It was a great stove. About our third year of burning it, a spot weld broke on the side outer-box shield (which is designed to promote convection by drawing air along the outside of the firebox, AND to keep clearances reduced). We called the dealer, who called Travis/Lopi, who contracted a guy to come into our house and weld it on the spot -- as it were. 'Great after-sale customer-service. This would have been about 13, maybe 15 years back. We left the stove when we moved 12 years ago; I can't speak for their customer care more recently.

But, under similar heating needs, I would buy another Lopi in a heartbeat.

Regards,

 

[fredarm]

I've got a PE Vista insert and have had no problems with it. It's very well built and heats well for its size. It has a 1.5 cubic foot firebox. I haven't heard of any issues with the Vista on here, just the Pacific/Spectrum and the Summit (weld crack issues).