MSR Hyperflow

[Grasshopper2011]

Has anyone had first hand experience using the MSR Hyperflow on the trail? I have seen mixed reviews but have talked to some people who have been very happy with the product (once learning how to correctly use and care for it).

I know the alternatives (chemicals are lighter, steri pen is faster, other filters are easier to maintain, etc.).. I'm really just looking for information about this specific filter.

[jnl82381]

On my thru this past summer I hiked about 1900 miles with a guy who used the hyperflow. at first he loved it. the filter element has been recalled because of a back-flushing issue i think. anyway, he started with a bad filter and exchanged it at uncle jonny's. the filter he exchanged it for was also on the recall list so he got another one mailed to him from MSR. that one had the same issues where after the first time you back-flush it, it's near impossible to get water through it. he exchanged that filter again in NY before finally switching to Aquamira.

He felt the headache of constantly having problems with the filter wasn't worth it.

If the back-flushing issues have been resolved, I think it would be great.

[10-K]

I bought one and it was replaced once by REI, a second time by Cascade Designs so now I'm on my 3rd one and it doesn't work any better than the first one.

Out of the box it filters like crazy but performance degrades very, very quickly and I was never able to get it anywhere close to that fast again. It's very difficult to pump even a small stream of water, even after successfully backflushing it.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[Berserker]

I have a Hyperflow, and like many others am on my 3rd cartridge. The original 2 having been sent back to MSR (their customer service was very good by the way). I have just given up on the thing. If you want to read more about my issues I summarized them on a thread on the BPL forums here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=21175 (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=21175)

For a really good review that summarizes the issues with this filter go check this out: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/msr_hyperflow_modified_cartridge_review.html

[just dad]

I got about four days out of the filter before it clogged and completely stopped working. I backflushed it every day, and I was careful about pumping clear water. I was also not crazy about having to take it apart in the woods in order to backflush it. On the positive side, MSR gave me a full refund.

[handlebar]

I had bad experience with the cartridges that were shipped with the original clogging much too soon, but the MSR product rep posted here (see post at: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=772285&postcount=15) and offered to replace the defective cartridges. The new ones worked fine for me provided I backflushed as recommended after every 8 liters or more frequently if filtering silty water.