Trying to decide between Steripen and pump

[bigcranky]

If you're going to carry the drops anyway, in addition to the filter or steripen, then aren't you just carrying redundant weight?

We own both an MSR Miniworks and a Katadyn Hiker filter. The Hiker is much easier to use in the field, while the MSR is easier to clean (but the Hiker doesn't ever need cleaning.) When I hike with my wife, we bring the filter. When I hike by myself, I use Aqua Mira drops. Easy and fast.

[nitegaunt]

The drops don't weigh much.
Sometimes I also hike with partners who don't have much in gear.
I'd like to try something new.
Redundancy isn't a bad thing when it comes to things like water and contact lenses.
Etc.
I'm just asking for advice since I keep hearing bad things about pretty much every water purification/treatment system out there. Trying to get down to whether or not any of them are worth the money since I hear so many stories about failed pumps and battery problems with Steripens. I think I'd rather carry an extra couple of ounces in drops than be without anything if whatever system I take the chance on happens to fail. That being said, I'd still like to give one of them a try for the above reasons. Just like to be safe and informed about my purchase.

[WhoDey]

In regards to your concerns about using a filter around freezing temperatures, the ceramic filters are the ones you need to be the most careful with. When ceramic freezes it becomes very brittle and it would not take much to shatter. I personally use the Katadyn Hiker pro and I love it

[Mags]

I would question this analysis. Using the spec from a major outdoor retailer,

Real world use in Utah from experienced hikers vs. what you quoted from a website are two very different things.

BTW: I mentioned nothing about weight. Probably a wash either way....

[hontassquirt]

i use the potable aqua only as a backup, katadyn pocket as my filter, katadyn mybottle for my daughter's water filter, and katadyn base camp.....well, for when we have a base camp. it was a hard pill to swallow spending $200 for the "pocket", but to me, it was so worth it.

[nitegaunt]

Yeah, I just saw the "My Bottle" thing today at the outfitter place. That seems like a totally different thing. I don't know. I've been hearing a lot of good things about the hiker pro but I guess right now I'm leaning toward the Vario. I think I'll just make the plunge (no pun intended) and see how it works out. I like the fact that it has the ceramic and charcoal filters. And that it's pretty compact even if it is a little heavy. Plus, it seems to be very easy to take apart and service in the field. Thanks again for everyone's opinions. This is definitely a thread that I'd be happy to see if I were another hiker with the same questions in the future.

[Bear Cables]

I saw so many thru's cuss their SteriPens in 2009 it really turned me off. Most of the problems were due to the units shutting down due to red light errors.

Their customer service wasn't much better and usually involved accusing the user of installing the wrong batteries.

They even told one thru to spit in his water (among other things) before using the device to increase the electrolyte content so the probe would work properly. Look under number 5 in the Troubleshooting FAQ section HERE on their web page.

I'll stick with AquaMira and save my money and the hassle.

Not at all my experience with SteriPen. Mine stopped working toward the end of my section hike this past summer. I had no problems with it up til this other than needing batteries replaced in two years. Anyway I registered it with SteriPen, sent it back as it was lifetime gurantee and they fixed it and sent it back at no cost other than 4.00 shipping.

Love the Steripen and carry Aquamire tablets as a back up.

[Marta]

Steripen--two years; hundreds of uses; no problems.

If you think you might like one, buy it from REI, and return it if it doesn't work out for you. Some happy person will buy it at the garage sale.

[Tinker]

Pump, boil, chemicals.
Pumps don't use extra fuel like boiling,
and don't contain potentially harmful chemicals.
Think about it. If the stuff you put in your water KILLS very HARDY bugs, it can't be very good for you, either. Sure, the manufacturers tell you that after a certain period of time the chemical is neutralized, but you're still drinking dead bug carcases, sewage, and, in more developed sections of the AT, industrial and agricultural chemicals.
SOME filters deal with some chemicals, but adding chemicals to water which might already contain chemicals doesn't appeal to me.
I use a First Need filter, despite its weight and cost. www.generalecology.com

[10-K]

As you can see, every method has its advocates.

The important thing to note is that regardless of what method we use we're all still alive and here to talk about it.

[Lilred]

I hate pumping water more than anything, but still hate the floaties. I got a gravity filter and love it.

[Spokes]

Not at all my experience with SteriPen. Mine stopped working toward the end of my section hike this past summer. I had no problems with it up til this other than needing batteries replaced in two years. Anyway I registered it with SteriPen, sent it back as it was lifetime gurantee and they fixed it and sent it back at no cost other than 4.00 shipping.

Love the Steripen and carry Aquamire tablets as a back up.

So you loved that it stopped working or loved they were so nice sending you back a repaired model?

I'm confused.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Steripen--two years; hundreds of uses; no problems.

If you think you might like one, buy it from REI, and return it if it doesn't work out for you. Some happy person will buy it at the garage sale.

Ditto. I've used it hiking, car camping, and while vacationing in the Caribbean. Make sure to keep the contacts clean, and keep the contacts submerged when in use. I've never run across water that doesn't have enough dissolved minerals/salts to not allow the circuitry to detect the water, but if this should happen a pinch of salt (or spit - even if kinda gross to some) should raise the water's conductivity enough to make it work.

[Philip]

Steripens - I'm glad to see some positive posts about this technology. I definitely like the idea of it (weight and convenience).

Pumps - Cross-contamination was mentioned. Sure, though I do carefully keep my intake hose in a separate bag away from my filter, clean the whole setup with boiled water or tap water (and a little biodegradeable soap sometimes) every chance I get, and even wash my dirty paws before I handle my food and water (most of the time), I really rely on the pump more as a way to improve the taste and purity of my water. I look to the sodium hypochlorite (Clorox) to do the job of making water safe to drink.

Chemicals - Though I've never tried Aquamira or iodine, I don't think it would be for me because of my interest in having good-tasting water. You guys all comment about the taste of the chemicals, which is a big nogo for me.

Really the pump is a luxury item IMO and I could probably live without it on the AT since most water sources are clear. Down here in TX, we don't have crystal-clear streams to pull water from, and thus my reliance on the pump to pull out sediment and chemicals (charcoal filter) before I drink.

This site has been a wealth of information and I'm enjoying reading everyone's experiences. You guys are great.

[nitegaunt]

Philllip, if you haven't tried Aquamira I'd suggest you give it a shot. It doesn't flavor the water as far as I can tell. I started using it because of that problem with iodine. It's very easy to use and pretty quick but it looks like the Steripen might be even faster. I really like the idea of a Steripen without batteries like the one they are coming out with. It's called the Sidewinder and it's listed on their site as "coming soon". Looks a little bulky and weighs 16oz. but really cool to be able to just crank it for 90 seconds and you hae a liter of water. I guess there's no way to get around the weight because they have to use magnets or something to make it work. Still, I'll have to let it come out an hear some reviews before considering that in the future. I think I'm just going to go to the outfitters today and flip a coin on the Steripen versus the Vario pump, haha!

[4eyedbuzzard]

If you go with the steripen and don't like "floaters" or will be getting water from murky sources, carry a few coffee filters, gauze, or nylon stocking or something for prefiltering, search the WB site for ideas. The steripen does not work as well in cloudy/dirty water according to the manufacturer as the UV light doesn't penetrate dirty water as well. I've rarely run across such water sources, but it can happen.

[Chop]

Just got the Steripen last week...so I have no thoughts on performance. Will take it out this weekend.

I've used Aquamira, and in general, like it. Taste doesn't get me down. The bottles are small and light...but its a chemical...not that I have huge concerns about this, but maybe I should...

Pump...was given one in the mid 90s. Used it for backpacking and some travel while in the Peace Corps in East Africa... Worked good, but heavy and bulky.. Checking out filters recently, they haven't slimmed up a ton. My opinion is that these are not break proof by any means. Mine broke while overseas...but Pur did mail replacements to me in Tanzania.

Boiling.. I boiled my water for two years solid while on the adventure/work mentioned above. Its slow. Consumes fuel...

All this leading to trying the Steripen. My only gripe about it is the size. It isn't huge, but bigger than the Aquamira bottles, and will require a little more careful packing. I got the Journey, which will work in a Gatorade bottle. Have corresponded with Steripen, Inc via email. They were quick to reply.

I wanted something that I could use and drink from immediately.

[Chop]

To add... having had multiple illnesses stemming from water, and my wife having landed in emergency rooms because of bad water (typhoid)...I will gladly carry something to treat the water. Granted these 'issues' were abroad, but water is easy and cheap to treat.

[Skidsteer]

Steripen--two years; hundreds of uses; no problems.

Same here.

[Philip]

If the water is generally clear over there on the AT, what are the chances I could be happy with carrying the aquamira with some sort of super-light gravity filter for the floaties (maybe something as simple as just a lightweight mesh bag to screen water I pour into a Nalgene?

I really like the Vario and feel like I need it around here where I live cause the water is cloudy, but carrying it on the AT is beginning to sound like I think I need to drive a Hummer H1 to get down a bicycle trail. The think weighs a pound wet. For that matter, I'm having second thoughts about my treasured Nalgene bottles too. A liter Gatorade bottle weights what, about two thirds less?

Thoughts? I'm a small guy (66", 140 lbs) and really need to find more ways to cut my carried weight. I'd even like to trade down to a smaller pack before I leave if I'm able. For that matter I'm even having second thoughts about carrying my Simmerlite and the gigantic fuel bottle. I love it, but do I really really need it? Hmmm...my knees will thank you for your encouragement. (-: