DO NOT BUY A THERMACELL BACKPACKER UNTIL YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO! 

Hello, The Gen2 backpacker has an improved injector regulator valve assembly. It also has a less tolerant valve threading receiver. The Gen2 will in most cases have a batch code number on the valve stem that starts with the letter B####. the Gen2 packaging will also have the following identifiers. * A yellow bar across the front that reads 16 hour protection. * the Sku may be listed as MRBPR. That is the official reply from Thermacell Q&A

thank you for this information. and how can I buy gen 2.0 version and from where? every place I checked out only gen 1 was available

It's impossible to tell the difference on the packaging. I open it up.... Orange plastic housing around the threads. If the manufacturer discontinues gen 1 due to problems, why is REI still selling it at full price?

Thanks for the PSA! I have a gen 2 and no issue so far (but haven't used it much either)

Gen 2 on their web page is orange.

I bought one from Amazon. It had the orange collar. I called Thermacell customer service and they said they never changed it. All the videos I've watched on RU-vid show the orange collar. So your video just confused me more than it helped.

lol, mine must be a gen 0. Plastic threads for me. Yes, I do have those blowout issues.

I'm going to give them a call. Thanks I will let you know how it goes.

Mine is orange plastic not anodized aluminum with no serial number. What gen am I?

Thanks!

I have an uncle Bill too!

Not up to date anymore