View Full Version : Lightweight water purification systems....
Mrs Baggins
02-07-2008, 09:08
I really really want the new MSR Hyperflow but it may not be available by the time I have to have it - before March 29th. In the event it's not, what would be the next best lightweight alternative?? Keep in mind I don't want chunkies in my water :eek: so I'm not interested in things like Steripens or drops. And I've tried the "built in" filters in water bottles - waaay too hard to have to squeeze the water out for every drink and useless for filling the 2 liter platypus in the evenings for cooking water.
Alligator
02-07-2008, 10:33
I haven't field tested mine yet, but you might try looking into a Sawyer Inline Filter (http://www.sawyerproducts.com/sawyer_products/pages/water_filters/index.htm). Just a note, the company does not recommend freezing the filter, it voids the warranty.
Just get some auto gas line filters
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_blood_cell
jersey joe
02-07-2008, 11:09
I started with a pur filter but gave up on it in the smokies and instead drank directly out of springs/small streams. I did still carry some iodine tablets for what I determined were suspect sources.
Anyone ever used this
http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/top-bar-bkgd-2.gif
http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/logo.gif (http://www.aquamira.com/)
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Product Description
Up one level (http://www.aquamira.com/consumer)http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/frontier_pro.jpg/image_large
MSRP:$ 19.95SKU:67006
http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/buy-now-button.gif (http://www.outdoorready.com/new-frontier-pro-filter-p-16.html)
http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/description-button-selected.gifhttp://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/technology-button.gif (http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/product-technology)http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/choose-right-button.gif (http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/choose-right)Like no other filter system in the world. The designers at Aquamira have come up with the ultimate pump free filter system. We told our designers that there was something missing when it came to portable filtration devices. We wanted a small, compact, easy to use, filter that would compete with the “big boys.” No pumps or tangly hoses to mess with, we just wanted the cleanest, easiest, most compact system in the world. With this in mind our designers considered multiple uses, the prevention of cross contamination, size, weight, ease of use, extended filter life, universal connectivity, as well as “hands free” gravity flow capability in the development of the Frontier Pro filter system. The result is a new concept in ultra-light, compact portable filtration that fits in the palm of your hand. Which is why we say “Dump the Pump!”
Connect to almost anything, using the universal connectivity system. The Frontier Pro filter will connect directly to any water bottle with a 28mm opening such as a Platypus® or standard spring water bottle. Using the tube connection feature you can connect to the drink tube of your hydration system, or drink from any open container or water source. Since you drink directly from the unit there is no chance of confusing inlet and outlet tubes resulting in possible cross contamination. The Frontier Pro can also be set up in a “gravity flow” mode to filter water unattended while you pursue more enjoyable uses of your valuable outdoor time.
We didn't forget Miraguard in the Frontier Pro. Since Miraguard suppresses the growth of bacteria, algae, fungus, mold and mildew in the filter media, you can use the Frontier Pro on multiple outings without worrying about nasty things growing in the filter between uses. The patented Bite Me valve provides drip free easy drinking and the integrated cap and Strap Grip™ keeps the drinking end clean and contamination free.
[/URL]
(http://www.aquamira.com/preparedness)
[URL="http://www.aquamira.com/military"] (http://www.aquamira.com/agricultural)
2 oz and screws onto an aquafina bottle, only costs $20? Damn...even I might bother to filter water now.
Then again, 200L capacity is pretty small...
2 oz and screws onto an aquafina bottle, only costs $20? Damn...even I might bother to filter water now.
That's what I thought!! I'd definitely like to see a review on this one.
Three micron filter size. Makes no claims about filtering out bacteria. I'll pass.
Sawyer just drink is same size/weight (inline filter), does remove bacteria, 0.1 micron filter size, but only 1.8 liters a minute.
guess I'll stick with my white blood cells.
bacteria are usually .4-1 micron in size, sometimes as big as 2. Another Aqua Mira scam.
You gotta watch out for the spec'd weights on any filter that uses charcoal. Obviously when you're done using the filter you should pump it dry as well as you can. Any water remaining in the pump or the filter element is dead weight.
Eg. the Katadyn "Exstream" (a filter core inside a 1-liter squeeze bottle) claims a dry weight of 8 oz, but in use, there are another few ounces of water captive within the filter element. Dead weight. The current MSRs don't have charcoal -- but they start out heavier. Sigh...
walkinfool
02-07-2008, 12:03
I just got an Aquamira Frontier Pro (http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/frontier-pro-filter-system/). It's' pretty cool, but I don't think I'd want to use it as my sole filter on a long distance trip.
I screwed the filter onto a water bottle thinking there would be a water-tight seal and I could tip the bottle up and squeeze it to help force the water through the filter as I drank, but there's no seal between the bottle and the filter. Maybe there was a washer or something missing...I don't know. There's a piece of tubing that connects to the bottom nipple (inlet) on the filter and basically reaches down to the bottom of the bottle to pull in water as you suck it out from the bite valve. That's a lot of sucking for a little bit of water, so I wouldn't want to use it all day every day on a long hike.
The filter can be used in a gravity feed setup by connecting tubing between the inlet nipple I just mentioned and a water bladder. The outlet piece would be a little trickier because the nipple is wider (than standard tubing) to accommodate the bite valve, which would need to be removed when using it as a gravity feed filter. It would work, though. Aquamira tells me that the flow rate would be something like 2L per hour. That's pretty slow, but it would work. And I'm sure you could speed it up by raising the dirty water higher and putting the filter down near the ground to add pressure/flow.
I emailed Aquamira about the "3 micron" rating and they told me that it's the same as ".3 micron". The only way I buy that is if they're just too lazy to use a decimal point. And really, who's too lazy to use a decimal point? Anyway...
All-in-all, it's a great product. It's super-light and super-simple. I just wouldn't want to thru-hike the AT with it. That being said, it would be the perfect thing to use at the beginning of a thru while you're waiting for MSR's AutoFlow (http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/autoflow.asp)or Platypus's CleanStream (http://www.platypushydration.com/product_detail.aspx?ProdID=30) gravity filter to come out as I am. Hopefully the CleanStream will be out before my March 16 departure. Looks awesome.
-walkinfool
Aqua mira drops used to be market as 'kills most waterborn illnesses within 20 minutes' But it took 4 hours to kill giardia.
Notice that aqua mira drops are now marketed as "kills odor causing bacteria and enhances the taste of stored potable [already 'safely' drinkable] water"
nowhere on the mcnett site (producers of aqua mira) does the actual language suggest that unsafe water can be made safe by using aqua mira.
Also notice how many/most people hike with water/flitration systems that are marginal at best and don't get sick. Why bother with the pretense of treating perfectly good water?
Blissful
02-07-2008, 12:49
I haven't field tested mine yet, but you might try looking into a Sawyer Inline Filter (http://www.sawyerproducts.com/sawyer_products/pages/water_filters/index.htm). Just a note, the company does not recommend freezing the filter, it voids the warranty.
We had bought a Sawyer water bottle with a purification filter and it was junk. Didn't work at all. Couldn't get the water to go through. Maybe they have other stuff that works better.
I think we may look into Steripen or something like that.
Also notice how many/most people hike with water/flitration systems that are marginal at best and don't get sick. Why bother with the pretense of treating perfectly good water?
One data point/anecdote for what it's worth. I hiked for about 15 years thru the Whites and the DAKs -- mostly weekend and long-weekend trips -- without treating water and without getting sick. My "luck" ran out in 1989 when I came down with an extreme case of the runs following a hike up Wildcat. I was hiking alone, so it wasn't a case of eating contaminated food out of some other hiker's stash.
Since then I've been treating water, and haven't had a repeat of the '89 incident. It proves nothing, I admit. I simply don't want a repeat of what happened in '89.
Pennsylvania Rose
02-07-2008, 13:01
Aqua mira drops used to be market as 'kills most waterborn illnesses within 20 minutes' But it took 4 hours to kill giardia.
Notice that aqua mira drops are now marketed as "kills odor causing bacteria and enhances the taste of stored potable [already 'safely' drinkable] water"
I was actually wondering about this yesterday. I've never used Aqua Mira, and was looking into trying it. The package stated that it doesn't kill Giardia or Cryptosporidium. So why use it?
Alligator
02-07-2008, 13:08
We had bought a Sawyer water bottle with a purification filter and it was junk. Didn't work at all. Couldn't get the water to go through. Maybe they have other stuff that works better.
I think we may look into Steripen or something like that.The only person I know who's used the inline is Skidsteer. He hasn't reported any problems that I know of, but I don't know how much he's tested it either.
There were two reviews here (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=5536&cat=Hydration%20%2D%20Water%20Treatment&cid=55&id=QrKcLv3B:199.131.136.238).
It is a little pricey without having a good set of reviews. I'd take it out this weekend but I'm expecting freezing temps. Maybe next month.
Aqua mira drops used to be market as 'kills most waterborn illnesses within 20 minutes' But it took 4 hours to kill giardia.
Notice that aqua mira drops are now marketed as "kills odor causing bacteria and enhances the taste of stored potable [already 'safely' drinkable] water"
nowhere on the mcnett site (producers of aqua mira) does the actual language suggest that unsafe water can be made safe by using aqua mira.
Also notice how many/most people hike with water/flitration systems that are marginal at best and don't get sick. Why bother with the pretense of treating perfectly good water?
I wouldn't write off AquaMira yet. I have a feeling that the changes you mention above are more in tune with increasing their sale of filters instead of new information about efficacy. The following is a link, from the Aquamira Site, that explains some of the short-comings in how efficacy is tested. Kinda long, but interesting. Seems to confirm that the efficacy of AquaMira is better than Miox and Polar Pure when tested for biofilm efficacy. The article is actually from Backpacking Light, but linked by AquaMira.
http://www.aquamira.com/consumer/aquamira-water-treatment-drops/BPL_2_Efficacy-of-Water.pdf
If they were back paddling on it's intended use, they wouldn't have this information linked. As I said, I assume they see more potential for profit from filter sales than from chemical treatment sales, so are changing the focus of their sales pitch. Filters can't fill the stored water niche as well as the chemicals can, so that is where the marketing is going.
My $0.02 worth.
envirodiver
02-07-2008, 15:03
Interesting article.
Bare Bear
02-07-2008, 16:07
I used regualr cheap coffee filters as a first screen then two drops of common bleach in 32 oz.
Bad part....you have to wait at least 20 minutes for the bleach to work.
Good part....nothing cheaper or lighter.
I tried filters of several types (silt up and too heavy), and too chicken to go without treating.
take-a-knee
02-07-2008, 16:48
I used regualr cheap coffee filters as a first screen then two drops of common bleach in 32 oz.
Bad part....you have to wait at least 20 minutes for the bleach to work.
Good part....nothing cheaper or lighter.
I tried filters of several types (silt up and too heavy), and too chicken to go without treating.
That is actually a good system IMO. The downside of chlorine is organic particulates, the coffee filter would mostly handle those. If the water is near freezing you may need to wait longer.
tomsawyer222
02-07-2008, 17:33
well maybe this UV unit is worth a try
http://www.uvaquastar.com/standard.aspx?elid=248&plk=76
Very small lightweight, and if UV does really work then it is much better than chlorine and it is instant.. just a thought
The easiest way to travel is with a water bottle with a built in filter. They are practical and easy to use. I have found a good one at www.filter-outlet.com/ (http://www.filter-outlet.com/) . Works great.
Tom Murphy
07-26-2011, 15:18
One light weight solution is
1. dirty water bottle & clean water bottle
2. coffee filters (to filter the water)
3. rubber bands (to hold the filters in place over the clean water bottle)
4. chlorine dioxide [aka Aqua-Mira] (to kill the viruses, bacteria and protozoa)