re: Should I rent or buy equipment for my first backpacking/camping trip?

It takes the same fuel canisters as the msr burners. It weighs about an ounce more than the pocket rocket. I've used it on 3 hikes and loved it.

I made a few alcohol stoves that I have used in the past. They are very light weight and cheap (free even) but with a burner you can boil much faster and control the flame to just simmer items if needed.

With this stove I am boiling 2 cups of water(which is what most mountain home meals use) in about 3-4 min and it is only using a little over .5 oz of fuel to get to boil.
Let me know if you have anymore questions