moof53
02-07-2012, 16:21
Thought I would put this out there.
Looks like Camelbak has introduced a new UV water treatment device, http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Purification/Intro.aspx to compete with Steripen. The device is a Camelbak .75 liter Tritan bottle and cap with built-in UV bulb. The UV bulb is inside the cap and the device is rechargeable via a usb wall charger. Its charge capacity is listed at 80 cycles per full charge or 3, .75 liter, bottles a day for 26 days. The types of water treated are similar with Steripen. No ice in the water, etc. Price is listed at $99.
Advantages seem to be the bulb in the cap is more protected than the Steripen bulb. The cap and bottle are integrated into one system so quick to use. Just fill the bottle, screw on the UV cap, activate the UV bulb, rotate the bottle about ever 10 seconds and 60 seconds later it is ready to consume. The bottle can also accommodate a pre-filter (another cap) that secures onto the bottle before directly filling from the source (whether with or without the pre filter, just remember to wipe the outside of the bottle, especially the thread area around the mouth).
Some disadvantages seem to be the cap is recommended to be used only with the appropriate Camelbak .75 liter bottle. No way to pre-filter or treat water in other types of bottles, especially light old Gatorade bottles. No way to charge or change batteries if they die prematurely on the trail.
Have used Steripen in limited, short duration hikes and found it to work well. Will be using it on more extended hikes this summer to the Grand Canyon and the Yosemite high country. However, this might be something to try.
Still partial to MSR Miox for quick, on the trail treatment and MSR Autoflow (Gravity bag) for filling the water bladder or for evening camp use.
Looks like Camelbak has introduced a new UV water treatment device, http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Purification/Intro.aspx to compete with Steripen. The device is a Camelbak .75 liter Tritan bottle and cap with built-in UV bulb. The UV bulb is inside the cap and the device is rechargeable via a usb wall charger. Its charge capacity is listed at 80 cycles per full charge or 3, .75 liter, bottles a day for 26 days. The types of water treated are similar with Steripen. No ice in the water, etc. Price is listed at $99.
Advantages seem to be the bulb in the cap is more protected than the Steripen bulb. The cap and bottle are integrated into one system so quick to use. Just fill the bottle, screw on the UV cap, activate the UV bulb, rotate the bottle about ever 10 seconds and 60 seconds later it is ready to consume. The bottle can also accommodate a pre-filter (another cap) that secures onto the bottle before directly filling from the source (whether with or without the pre filter, just remember to wipe the outside of the bottle, especially the thread area around the mouth).
Some disadvantages seem to be the cap is recommended to be used only with the appropriate Camelbak .75 liter bottle. No way to pre-filter or treat water in other types of bottles, especially light old Gatorade bottles. No way to charge or change batteries if they die prematurely on the trail.
Have used Steripen in limited, short duration hikes and found it to work well. Will be using it on more extended hikes this summer to the Grand Canyon and the Yosemite high country. However, this might be something to try.
Still partial to MSR Miox for quick, on the trail treatment and MSR Autoflow (Gravity bag) for filling the water bladder or for evening camp use.