Water purification tablets or Pump purifier?

[icemanat95]

I'm a filter user. I like to be able to drink right away.

MSR Miniworks or PUR Scout/Guide

[johnny quest]

johnny quest I thought your avatar was funny the first few times I saw it, now

i understand. truthfully, i would have dumped it after a day or two but several people expressed desires for the pc police to "correct" my choice of avatar so i kept it out of spite. funny thing is....i got it off wildblaze's selection. it's not my own. so blame rock and attroll!!!!

[Alligator]

Hey Max, we talked about this a while back. If you add Vit C you neutralize the iodine and turn it into another chemical which is dysorbic acid - a beneficial vitamin too. Also, you do need some iodine in your diet, and a couple of sources I found stated that iodine intake is getting too low in the US since everyone got on the low sodium diets. So you are probably just fine, and if you really worry get some vit C for your water or add some drink mix with Vit C in it.

I think the iodine can still be a problem. Read the following

Question - Many backpackers and travellers who use Iodine to
disinfect their drinking water know that a little vitamin C will kill the
Iodine taste. What are the products of this reaction? In particular, are
they of any less concern than Iodine for long-term consumption? Or worse,
should we have any more concern?
-----------------------
Jeffrey,

Iodine is an oxidizing agent. Vitamin C is a substance that is easily
oxidized. When Vitamin C is added to water containing iodine, the reaction
that occurs converts iodine to iodide ion (I-) -- which no longer tastes
like iodine. In fact, it is the same ion that appears in iodized salt. Within
any reasonable limits, I do not think the backpacker's Vitamin C technique
will cause any harm.

Regards,
ProfHoff 481
================================================== ============
The iodine is reduced to iodide, and the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is
oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid. Iodide is an essential mineral, and
dehydroascorbic acid is just as effective as a vitamin as the ascorbic acid
form.

The vitamin C turns into another useful product, but the iodione becomes the same ion as in idoized salt I-. So a person with thyroid problems ought to at least be careful.

The questions are, how much iodine is ingested using these water treatment methods and is it a more than the recommended daily dosage?

[peanuts]

I still use my MSR Waterworks......the original, I pro-deal it when I worked for REI....

[RockyTrail]

I have used Aqua-Mira, Polar-Pure, and Katydyn (PUR) filters.
Currently I'm stuck on the Katydyn filter despite the weight, the water just tastes really good to me!

Aqua-Mira leaves a bit of chorine taste like a city water supply, not bad. Polar pure leaves an iodine taste which I really don't mind...kind of like minted water. Both are OK as far as I'm concerned.

The interesting thing about the Polar Pure bottle is how it works. There are little iodine BBs in the bottle that dissolve slightly until the water in the bottle reaches a saturated solution; then the dissolving stops. It can remain in this state for years. You dump the Polar Pure water into the water bottle to be treated (but not the BBs) and then refill the Polar Pure bottle with stream water. After about 30 minutes the iodine BBs saturate the bottle again and you're good to re-start. Amazingly the BBs last for 2,000 uses. I can see how Polar Pure would be a good choice for a civil defense kit as you could store it for years and have tons of capacity in the event of a major hurricane or disaster, etc. It's just simple little iodine beads in a bottle.

[hopefulhiker]

Aqua Mira the whole way in 2005...

[Earl Grey]

After reading everything I think what ill do is use a combination of both. Filter the water into a hydration pack then every once in a while put some tablets in it to keep it clean and incase the filter breaks I can always use the tablets as back up. This combined with a multivitamin should be sufficient.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

I have used all options First need filter, Katadin hiker, etc but now am using Miox which I used in a recent section hike out of Damascus and prefer the Miox which is more expensive but exceptionally light weight . Being a light weight fanatic I found Miox to be easy to use and safe. You can find the Moix at most on line outfitters try backcountry.
Hillbilly

[dougmeredith]

I now have a new thing. It is one of those Steri-Pen ultraviolet filters. I've used this on a few short hikes and it seems to work perfectly. It is very easy to use. THis is about 1/3 of a pound with the 4 AA batteries. I am concerned that the batteries would die on me in the cold

With my GPS receiver, alkaline batteries die very quickly in the cold, so you would experience the same thing with the Steri-Pen. You could try and keep it somewhere warm, or just go with lithium batteries. They are supposed to be fine in the cold. They are lighter and last longer, too.

Doug

[headchange4u]

I used to use chemical water treatments, but I bought a filter and never looked back.

I can't really fathom being without my Pur Hiker. It's so nice to pull water from a muddy creek and spit out clean, clear water with no iodine taste. I always will carry the iodine tablets for a backup, but I am filter fan all the way.

[FLHiker]

I just got back from a trip to Isle Royale. They say that all water on the island should be considered contaminated with hydatid tapeworm (a result of the moose and wolf population on the island.) The rangers are quite clear (at the mandatory orientation upon arrival) in telling you that no tablets are sufficient treatment, that all water must either be boiled for 2-3 minutes, or passed through a .4 micron filter. Since carrying that kind of fuel is impractical - it leaves everyone to use filters (I use the hiker pro.)

Has anyone heard of this parasite elsewhere - like in Maine or other areas with Moose and Wolf populations?

[Amigi'sLastStand]

I just got back from a trip to Isle Royale. They say that all water on the island should be considered contaminated with hydatid tapeworm (a result of the moose and wolf population on the island.) The rangers are quite clear (at the mandatory orientation upon arrival) in telling you that no tablets are sufficient treatment, that all water must either be boiled for 2-3 minutes, or passed through a .4 micron filter. Since carrying that kind of fuel is impractical - it leaves everyone to use filters (I use the hiker pro.)

Has anyone heard of this parasite elsewhere - like in Maine or other areas with Moose and Wolf populations?

No, FLH. Aqua mira is a miracle. It works on it all, just like their website says....

Filtering is the only way.

How was your trip. Too bad you couldnt make ours. Check out the trip report.

[FLHiker]

No, FLH. Aqua mira is a miracle. It works on it all, just like their website says....

Filtering is the only way.

How was your trip. Too bad you couldnt make ours. Check out the trip report.

Awsome trip - highly recomend it to all. Even had an extra day added when the good ship Wenonah couldn't cross the lake (8-10 ft seas.)

I checked out the report - looks like you had a great time - maybe next year - although I have to say that I think my weather (lows in the low 50's and highs in the high 70's) may have been a bit more comfortable!!

Jeff

[Amigi'sLastStand]

Awsome trip - highly recomend it to all. Even had an extra day added when the good ship Wenonah couldn't cross the lake (8-10 ft seas.)

I checked out the report - looks like you had a great time - maybe next year - although I have to say that I think my weather (lows in the low 50's and highs in the high 70's) may have been a bit more comfortable!!

Jeff

Nah, man. Other than the rain, it was perfect. Low 90s during the day, cooling rain, then low 70s at nite with a nice breeze. If I'd seam sealed my tent, I coulda cared less about the rain. Thinking of setting something up for October for us Fl bunch.

[FLHiker]

I'll keep an eye out for them.

Can't wait for the heat to subside!!!

Later,

Jeff