[TheForge] propane forge burners

[Jim Brattin]

a while ago i asked for opinions about different propane burner designs
(hybrid/trex, chileforge, zoeller)...
i'm still looking and am a bit skeptical of some of the claims vs btu
numbers published
here are two comparisons that illustrate my dilemma:

Z-burner: nearly 80k btu/hr @ 15psi (http://zoellerforge.com/zburner.html)
t-rex: between 40-50 btu/hr @ 15psi (
http://www.hybridburners.com/BTU-charts.html)

both are 3/4" burners.  both use a .035 jet orifice.  is it possible that
the induction ratio (air/fuel mix correct?) could account for such a
dramatic difference?

this is from the hybrid (t-rex) website:
"They generate approximately a 28:1 induction ratio by volume, as compared
with an 18:1 or 20:1 ratio for other burner types"

zoeller doesn't provide an induction ratio...

according to advertising, the t-rex burner provides much more efficient
heat in comparison to the ron reil design burner (
http://ronreil.abana.org/Image1.jpg) which is a predecessor of the
z-burner.  the t-rex is also significantly more expensive "Although these
burners will cost you more than building one out of off the shelf plumbing
parts, you are getting a LOT more burner for your money" (but this
statement doesn't match the btu charts).

i'm concerned about burner design because i live at around 8000' elevation,
so i have to assume that given my altitude, a burner that brings in more
air is going to be better?
am i missing something here?