View Full Version : Water Purifiers
Saffirre8
12-22-2009, 17:40
I know there are several different kinds of water purifiers. Can i have some feedback on which ones are the best? I know there is Katadyn & MSR and others, but i would like to know which one will works best on the trail, light weight, easy to use and ect...
Thanks and Happy Holidays :o)
"Best" is always a tough word. What are you optimizing for:
- kills/eliminates all possible nasties?
- fast/easy?
- light weight?
- inexpensive?
- are you okay with a battery powered option?
- have you any objection to particular chemicals (chlorine dioxide, iodine)?
- do you hike in particularly cold weather?
- do you feel more comfortable, psychologically I guess, in having things physically filtered out?
- how many liters per year do you anticipate treating?
There are probably more factors I'm not thinking of when it comes to "best", but there are lots of options, from in-line filters, gravity filters, pump filters, different chemicals, ultra-violet light ...
What's best for you might not be what's best for someone else who will give you a "simple answer", one that seems obvious from their particular perspective and set of priorities.
I'm a big fan of the ULA Amigo Pro, but it isn't made/sold by ULA anymore. The next best thing is a homemade gravity filter (http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearGravityFilter.html), IMO.
Before I purchase one, I will want to know they actually work, and not a manufactures gimmick that is about as effective as battery operated cheese cloth.
Kerosene
12-22-2009, 19:43
Per BrianLe, I agree that there is no single "correct" answer. But I've got to tell you, if you haven't looked into Aqua Mira chemical treatment, I strongly encourage you to do so before you look at any filter. In my opinion, the only value in a filter is that it's easier to pull water from a shallow puddle, and even then, you might get by with a flexible dip cup.
Perhaps best is to just read up on a lot of stuff that's already been written on the topic and apply your own priorities to the various factors. A couple of somewhat randomly selected summaries that look useful include zen backpacking (http://zenbackpacking.net/WaterFilterPurifierTreatment.htm), and this ezine article (http://ezinearticles.com/?Ultralight-Backpacking-Water-Treatment&id=1721014). There are surely more, but the first of those looks pretty complete (and FWIW, I like his treatment of stoves on that site too).
Experienced foreign travelers I have met have said they like Katadyn Pocket (http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-endurance-series-products/katadyn-pocket-usa/) filter.
I like the in-line drip filtration systems.
I put mine together:
2-liter Platypus Big Zip SL (http://cascadedesigns.com/Platypus/Hands-Free-Hydration/Big-Zip-SL/product)
Sawyer in-line water filter (http://www.sawyerproducts.com/SP121.htm)
1-liter Platypus plusBottle
(http://cascadedesigns.com/Platypus/Handheld-Hydration/plusBottle-Holster/product) Katdyn Micropur MP 1 - Water Purifyer Tablets (http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-micropur-micropur-mp1-purification-tablets/)
Jason Klass has this system:
Ultralight Gravity Pro Water Filter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSYWoplv_Uo)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSYWoplv_Uo)
Toolshed
12-22-2009, 22:01
Get a filter. Don't need a purifier. Been happy with my MSR for over a decade.
I think this system is interesting: the mÜV (http://www.uvaquastar.com/standard.aspx?elid=205) - micro-UV water purifier.
Either choose the floating model, or, the water bottle model.
They have CR123A LiIon rechargeable batteries and a 12VDC battery charger.
Get a filter. Don't need a purifier. Been happy with my MSR for over a decade.
I have never been let down with my MSR miniworks either. Helped a lot of others who were not as well prepared. I have considered many other options and would buy another if they were not so durable that you do not have to. The only negative is weight(15 oz). But the alternative, being thirsty, is horrible.
Red Beard
12-23-2009, 00:12
I have never been let down with my MSR miniworks either. Helped a lot of others who were not as well prepared. I have considered many other options and would buy another if they were not so durable that you do not have to. The only negative is weight(15 oz). But the alternative, being thirsty, is horrible.
How do you think the ceramic element would hold-up on a thru? Is it easy to get replacements along the way?
"The only negative is weight(15 oz). But the alternative, being thirsty, is horrible."
Again, depends on what you're optimizing for. I can think of multiple alternatives that weigh a lot less than 15 oz. A brand new set of Aqua Mira drops good for, what, 30 gallons maybe (?) is less than 3 oz.
I've been looking at Polar Pure iodine treatment. Says it purifys 2000 quarts. Weighs 3 oz. and can be found for about $10. Anyone use this system?
JoshStover
12-23-2009, 04:28
I know several people who have used Polar Pure and been pleased with it. For the price I dont think it would hurt to pick some up and try it out. If you dont end up using it as your main h2o treatment it could always be a cheap and light backup...
JoshStover
12-23-2009, 06:46
double post?
I tried to post on another thread about a water purifier, and scrolling over the tabs posted here.
I know there are several different kinds of water purifiers. Can i have some feedback on which ones are the best? I know there is Katadyn & MSR and others, but i would like to know which one will works best on the trail, light weight, easy to use and ect...
Thanks and Happy Holidays :o)
Being the retentive type as I am, I feel the need to mention that a "purifier" takes out all impurities. Nothing that I know of does that except the First Need purifier. It kills viruses as well as filtering out giardia and crypto. Most folks consider it unnecessarily heavy and bulky - I've been using one for 25 years since getting sick once on a hike and haven't been sick once (on a hike or shortly thereafter) since. But, hey, dogs drink from toilet bowls and it doesn't seem to bother them, so to each their own.
Note: Filters are better than chemicals or UV treatment in that most filter out some chemical contaminants - most of the AT is quite close to civilization.
Btw: I use a PUR faucet mount filter at home, so I'm paranoid anyhow ;).
Hikes in Rain
12-23-2009, 16:57
I'm even worse, Tinker. Technically speaking, not even the First Need, will make pure water. Distillation will...but only for a while. Water is such a wonderful solvent.
I usually point those things out, but you beat me to it.
I like the First Need, too. Been using one for years, although for the past several hikes, I've been using the MIOX I was given (!) a few years ago. Seems pretty good for "clean" sources where all you need worry about (mostly, anyway) is biologicals.
Sailor (The other one)
12-23-2009, 19:56
Being the retentive type as I am, I feel the need to mention that a "purifier" takes out all impurities. Nothing that I know of does that except the First Need purifier. It kills viruses as well as filtering out giardia and crypto. Most folks consider it unnecessarily heavy and bulky - I've been using one for 25 years since getting sick once on a hike and haven't been sick once (on a hike or shortly thereafter) since. But, hey, dogs drink from toilet bowls and it doesn't seem to bother them, so to each their own.
Note: Filters are better than chemicals or UV treatment in that most filter out some chemical contaminants - most of the AT is quite close to civilization.
Btw: I use a PUR faucet mount filter at home, so I'm paranoid anyhow ;).
Just for FYI, Sawyer has a purifier also.
http://www.sawyerproducts.com/viral.htm
Steripen for section hiking . . . Steripen w/Aqua-Mira for backup on a thru.
Just for FYI, Sawyer has a purifier also.
http://www.sawyerproducts.com/viral.htm
If their claims are true, this might be my next filter, er, purifier (if my First Need pump ever wears out - orig. pump since 1980-something, on my 8th or 9th filter cartridge). Thanks for the heads up.:)
How do you think the ceramic element would hold-up on a thru? Is it easy to get replacements along the way?
Based on my experience hiking over 1600 (solo) miles and 600 miles treating water for other people(my kids and my brother) the MSR ceramic filter is not even halfway used up. Very field maintainable and freezable but I still pump it dry till it stops dripping.
I have read one report where someone dropped it while cleaning it and broke the filter element.
Nothing better than clean refreshing mountain water. In PA and NY there are iron pumps at some shelters that the water tastes like iron (even feels fuzzy in mouth) until filtered.
Someone correct me if I have it wrong but the manufacturers of iodine treatments recommend against longterm use(2 weeks?).
Based on my experience hiking over 1600 (solo) miles and 600 miles treating water for other people(my kids and my brother) the MSR ceramic filter is not even halfway used up. Very field maintainable and freezable but I still pump it dry till it stops dripping.
I have read one report where someone dropped it while cleaning it and broke the filter element.
Nothing better than clean refreshing mountain water. In PA and NY there are iron pumps at some shelters that the water tastes like iron (even feels fuzzy in mouth) until filtered.
Someone correct me if I have it wrong but the manufacturers of iodine treatments recommend against longterm use(2 weeks?).
Hey Compass, thanks for the heads up on the iodine treatment. I just did a search and you are correct, iodine is not reccommended for extended use.