Water Purifiers: what do you use? [Archive]

ibenick

04-21-2011, 09:03 AM

I've got a Katadyn Hiker. I'm generally happy with it. The next one I get will probably be the HikerPro.

My friend uses a hiker pro, one thing I really hate about it is that it won't screw onto the top of a nalgene bottle or a dromedary bag. So you either have to hold your bladder up the whole time or pull your mouthpiece off and hook it to the hose which seems like a bad idea to me. Or is there a much better way to attach it that I might not know about?

I don't mind pumping though.

Wanna go backpacking? :naughty:

Scott Card

04-21-2011, 09:36 AM

I have the MSR Mini Works also. I have never had a problem with it. I do remember that the Escalante and all its silt caused it to clog pretty quickly but it has always worked like a charm. Where did you hear/read that it doesn't get stuff like crypto? Maybe I have just assumed that it did more than it does.

I just bought a Katadyn Hiker also. Seems really good but I haven't really used it.

I also don't mind filtering water. I have done it many times particularly in the Subway where way too many people don't carry enough or they drink it too fast. Either way, that last little stream that comes in the canyon on the right looking down canyon is a favorite spot to fill up before the slog out. I remember filtering while floating in a pot hole in the grim section of Chop too. I had overheated in my wet suit earlier and I was starting to feel the effects so I simply pulled out the filter, screwed it to my bottle and I was good for the rest of the hike after about 10 minutes of hydration. Amazing how fast your body recovers from dehydration.

ibenick

04-21-2011, 09:59 AM

Where did you hear/read that it doesn't get stuff like crypto? Maybe I have just assumed that it did more than it does.

I don't recall but it looks like I was wrong. The ceramic filters get bacteria and protozoa out and the purifiers get that stuff as well as viruses out. Do viruses float around in water much? :ne_nau:

Scott Card

04-21-2011, 10:07 AM

Not so far. Please cover your mouth before sneezing into a pothole. :haha:

americanhero

04-21-2011, 01:04 PM

I've got a Katadyn Hiker. I'm generally happy with it. The next one I get will probably be the HikerPro. I don't mind pumping though.

I'm thinking about buying the Hiker Pro for my summer trip. Will use it in Coyote Gulch and on a backpacking trip to Angel Arch.
Hope there is anyone who used the Hiker Pro already.

hike.higher

04-21-2011, 01:04 PM

I'll offer my $0.02. I primarily use the MSR mini-works. I also own the Katadyn base camp. I have used a couple others (hiker pro, sweetwater) with friends, brothers, etc. Every spring I look for a new one, but haven't been impressed enough yet to get one.

The Base camp is great for clean water. I use it in the unitas. Its not nearly as fast as they say, but does a good job with the hang and forget. If the water is dirty though, the filter plugs really quick and will quit filtering. Best in the unitas for water that probably doesn't need to be filtered, but just in case.

I haven't been impressed with either the pro or the sweet water. On a recent trip to cedar mesa we were pumping some gunky water with the sweet water and it did nothing for the taste or the smell, even with its ceramic/charcoal filter. Fortunately we had a mini works which did a great, but slow job. Had to clean it several times, but the stench and taste was removed.

I have found the pro to slow way down in poor water conditions with no real good way of cleaning it. With the mini-works, if it slows down you can scrub it off and go again for another liter or two.

I was pretty intrigued by the hyperflow when it came out, but the lack of a charcoal filter and the "keep from freezing" warning scared me off. Seems impractical with those two faults. If its not going to remove any taste then it better be clean water to begin with, and that means unitas, but you can freeze it there year round.

Anyway, would love to find a smaller lighter filter, but it needs to meet my needs both in the unitas and the gunky desert mud holes. I have yet to find one better then the mini works.

ststephen

04-21-2011, 02:01 PM

brookiekiller

04-21-2011, 03:22 PM

I have used the hiker pro, mini-works, and the Platypus Clean stream. In the High country I use the clean stream or PUR tablets as the water is clean and tastes good for the most part - everywhere else I use my mini-works. I really hate pumping and continually having to clean the ceramic in the mini-works and love the gravity filter in the Platypus. I hated the hiker pro as I kept having to perform field maintenance to get it to work properly.

Dr. Nebz

04-21-2011, 04:10 PM

I have the MSR Sweetwater. I've been happy with it. I recommend using the silt stoppers you can buy from MSR to pre-filter dirty water and save the life of your filter. You can then order very cheaply replacement cartridges for the slit stoppers when they turn red/brown. I've never seen the cartridges in a store, but I found them on line.

I also have a sweetwater. It is awesome! You can get the replacement cartridge at REI. I also use the silt stopper. Works great and fills your bottles and res very fast.

gnwatts

04-21-2011, 04:11 PM

I have used a Katadyn Pocket for 5 or 6 years. When I had to replace the cartridge, I decided to look at other options. I loved the Pocket, I never was without water, never a problem. A tad on the heavy side, but worth it i my opinion. Beautifully made.
I ended up buying the MSR Auto Flow gravity filter. It has worked flawlessly for 15 days so far. It requires you to back flush it every now and then, takes a few minutes. I don't miss pumping.

43562 43563

Dr. Nebz

04-21-2011, 04:15 PM

I don't recall but it looks like I was wrong. The ceramic filters get bacteria and protozoa out and the purifiers get that stuff as well as viruses out. Do viruses float around in water much? :ne_nau:

Sweetwater info: Microfilter Protection: Eliminates over 99.9999% of all waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of common protozoan parasites, such as giardia and cryptosporidium

If you want to cover Viruses, which depends on where you are, you can just get this:

43561

ibenick

04-21-2011, 04:31 PM

If you want to cover Viruses, which depends on where you are, you can just get this:

I think pretty much all of the purifiers and chemical options knock 'em out. Curious how prevalent viruses are in water though. Seems like you'd have to be pumping out of some serious nastiness in a third world country or something.

ibenick

04-21-2011, 04:34 PM

I ended up buying the MSR Auto Flow gravity filter. It has worked flawlessly for 15 days so far. It requires you to back flush it every now and then, takes a few minutes. I don't miss pumping.

That Auto Flow looks so nice. I'd love to hear if you're still loving it after more use. The one thing I've heard on some filters that you clean with back flush is that they can become really plugged over a time to the point where back flushing no longer works. Obviously that would be expected after a certain amount of use, just wondering how much use that really is.

CarpeyBiggs

04-21-2011, 05:09 PM

steripen, aquamira, or a gravity filter.

Scott P

04-21-2011, 06:03 PM

I usually use the MSR Sweetwater. The Miniworks pumps much slower.

asdf

04-21-2011, 06:08 PM

I also have the MSR Miniworks EX. I keep a coffee filter on the end with a rubber band and have never had clogging issues. Its a bit slow but I like how it attaches to a nalgene.

ibenick

04-21-2011, 08:01 PM

I usually use the MSR Sweetwater. The Miniworks pumps much slower.

They're actually both rated exactly the same at 1 liter per minute. Maybe one plugs up easier though.

homerj

04-21-2011, 08:58 PM

My friend uses a hiker pro, one thing I really hate about it is that it won't screw onto the top of a nalgene bottle or a dromedary bag. So you either have to hold your bladder up the whole time or pull your mouthpiece off and hook it to the hose which seems like a bad idea to me. Or is there a much better way to attach it that I might not know about?

He's missing the nalgene bottle adapter that comes with it then. It fits on the nalgene bottles nice and snug so you can fill your bottles without any problem. One bad thing is that it's too big for the MSR bladder bag opening and you have to hold it.... big pain in the ass...

Dr. Nebz

04-21-2011, 09:37 PM

They're actually both rated exactly the same at 1 liter per minute. Maybe one plugs up easier though.

Chris and Mike have the Miniworks and I always have more to fill then they do, and I always finish pumping before they do. I think the silt stopper I got last year for sure made the job faster and easier.

Dr. Nebz

04-21-2011, 09:40 PM

I think pretty much all of the purifiers and chemical options knock 'em out. Curious how prevalent viruses are in water though. Seems like you'd have to be pumping out of some serious nastiness in a third world country or something.

Yeah you have to have some pretty stagnant contaminated water to have viruses in it. Usually spring water or anything filtered by the mountain that is moving is not going to sustain viruses most likely. Anything is possible though. It is why I carry tablets and the solution. If I even question it for a minute, I will just treat it so there is no worry.

wes242

04-21-2011, 09:46 PM

You mean I can buy a Filter! no more fish poop....
jk

For years I didn't mind the Tablets, but then I figured I better get on board and buy a filter. I bought a Katadyn Pro a couple years ago and it works great!

After hiking the West Rim last year and getting water out of one of the small water holes, I watched some people with the Tablets fill their bottles up and scoop up some Mosquito larva into it made me realize I must have a filter.

Scott P

04-21-2011, 09:48 PM

They're actually both rated exactly the same at 1 liter per minute.

I actually have both. Despite what the ratings say, mine do not pump at the same rate. For me, the Sweetwater is much faster.

Dr. Nebz

04-21-2011, 10:25 PM

I actually have both. Despite what the ratings say, mine do not pump at the same rate. For me, the Sweetwater is much faster.

I agree the Sweetwater seems to get the job done quicker. What it seems like to me is the volume of water it can move through the cartridge and to your res or bottle. It is crazy to see how fast it fills a 32 oz Nalgene.

One thing that does occasionally happen, but not too often, even since I got the silt stopper last season, is that the emergency valve spits every once in a while. I am not sure why, I always give the cartridge a scrub after every trip. You have any problems like this with yours? If so, any solutions?

Scott P

04-22-2011, 06:45 AM

One thing that does occasionally happen, but not too often, even since I got the silt stopper last season, is that the emergency valve spits every once in a while. I am not sure why, I always give the cartridge a scrub after every trip. You have any problems like this with yours? If so, any solutions?

It's actually supposed to do that, so it isn't a problem. It prevents forcing the water through the filter too fast, which will enlarge the filter openings. Cleaning it and pumping slower will make it not happen as often, but it will still happen periodically anyway since it's designed to do so.

DOSS

04-22-2011, 07:23 AM

I either run a DIY gravity filter and aqua muria or use my old Katadyn hiker

Bad Karma

04-22-2011, 06:31 PM

I prefer either the HikerPRO, one of a couple gravity filters or aqua mira if the water does not have too many floaties in it.

Garbanzo

04-22-2011, 08:29 PM

I have friends who use the Hiker and are nothing but satisfied with it. I was able to use them last year on our trip down Sand Creek. I just purchased the Hiker Pro and haven't used it yet. I do like the In-line connector for my Hydration unit. I'm not sure how much I'll fill it with my pack still on, but at least it's still a water tight connection while filling. I hated wrestling with a hose running freely into the bladder. I'm a Noobie that just purchased all new equipment, so my trial and error is just starting.:haha:

Dr. Nebz

04-22-2011, 08:40 PM

It's actually supposed to do that, so it isn't a problem. It prevents forcing the water through the filter too fast, which will enlarge the filter openings. Cleaning it and pumping slower will make it not happen as often, but it will still happen periodically anyway since it's designed to do so.

Cool, it has not really been a problem, and the filter works great. Was just not familiar with that. Thanx!:2thumbs:

dougr

04-22-2011, 09:09 PM

I've had a First Need for years from my strictly backpacking days. But it clogs too easily with desert and canyon silt. I use iodine tablets now. Super light and fast enough. Am I crazy?

Dr. Nebz

04-22-2011, 09:21 PM

I've had a First Need for years from my strictly backpacking days. But it clogs too easily with desert and canyon silt. I use iodine tablets now. Super light and fast enough. Am I crazy?

Not a big fan of the taste of Iodine. If you want to go tablet, go with these:

43591

dougr

04-22-2011, 09:29 PM

Those are the chlorine 4 hr tabs? I've used those too, but 4 hrs isn't great. For the iodine I use the neutralizing tablets for taste.

Deadeye008

04-26-2011, 09:18 AM

I have a Sawyer water filter and a Sawyer water purifier. The filter gets everything but viruses and the purifier gets everything including viruses. I have a gravity system that I mad out of a roll top dry bag and some parts I got from Lowes. I usually take the filter with me and not the purifier because the purifier is slow. The filter runs about 1 liter per min and the purifier about 1 liter per 3 min. I back flush the filter after every trip. Sawyers website says that both the filter and the purifier will last 1 million gallons if properly maintained. I bought both of them from Walmart on the cheap :cool2:

gnwatts

04-26-2011, 01:23 PM

Why would anyone prefer to pump? Fill the bag, take it to camp, connect it to your dromedary, open a cool one and by the time you finish you have 4 liters of water. I am completely done with pumping.

homerj

04-26-2011, 08:08 PM

Why would anyone prefer to pump? Fill the bag, take it to camp, connect it to your dromedary, open a cool one and by the time you finish you have 4 liters of water. I am completely done with pumping.

That works unless you need to fill up on the trail. Most of my trips are over 10 miles in and I don't want to pack enough water to make it from the TH to camp so I pack a pump and water up at stream crossings!

Deadeye008

04-26-2011, 09:28 PM

That works unless you need to fill up on the trail. Most of my trips are over 10 miles in and I don't want to pack enough water to make it from the TH to camp so I pack a pump and water up at stream crossings!

I use my gravity setup on the trail more than in camp. Just fill the bag with water and hang it on something or hold it up and let gravity do the work.

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G using Tapatalk

Dr. Nebz

04-26-2011, 09:30 PM

That works unless you need to fill up on the trail. Most of my trips are over 10 miles in and I don't want to pack enough water to make it from the TH to camp so I pack a pump and water up at stream crossings!

^^^Agreed.

My filter has come in handy on many long treks and day hikes. I won't trade my Sweetwater for anything.

andykrow

04-27-2011, 03:03 PM

Been using a miniworks for a while now, as have a couple other friends. for nasty desert water they seem to do the best. we've had a couple sweetwaters in the crew and while they seem like they pump twice as fast, they pump less before clogging compared to the mini.

we had two hikers back in the day on an escalante trip. the first one clogged halfway through and couldn't be used (backflushing did nothing) and the second one cracked on a pack haul with two days left. on the last day we had to drink silty iodine water...ughh...that trip taught me to only buy filters that have cleanable cartridges (and be really careful where you stow your filter)

if I ever kill the miniworks I'll probably pick up a pocket filter. i don't mind the weight and that thing will never break.

a gravity filter is intriguing for camps...may need to look into that.

gnwatts

04-28-2011, 01:59 PM

As deadeye008 said, on the trail a gravity flow it might be even more convenient. The MSR will do a liter in a few minutes. I have been nervous about not having my Katadyn Pocket these days, so I carry an extra filter cartridge for the MSR gravity flow. I bought a Sweetwater when they first came out, and the handle broke within a year. After that I stayed away from plastic filters.

treponema

05-26-2011, 05:53 PM

I've used both the Katadyn Hiker Pro and the Katadyn Vario. I love the Vario. Have used it for two years now and never had a miss.

Dr. Nebz

05-26-2011, 09:13 PM

we've had a couple sweetwaters in the crew and while they seem like they pump twice as fast, they pump less before clogging compared to the mini.

Did you have the silt stopper on the sweetwater? I know before I added mine it did seem to clog a bit faster. Now with the silt stopper, mine has no clog issues at all.

Tango

05-28-2011, 02:15 PM

Last year on a trip in the back country of Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias, 2 people brought the MSR Auto Flow ALL of our group (13) ended up using these instead of what we all brought ourselves. We were filtering glacier runoff VERY SILTY with no problem. At least one ( and possibly both) of the set ups actually had an extra filter to filter out the silt. I was very impressed with the flow, I didn't time it but it was a steady stream out of the tube. I haven't sprung for one yet but it is next on my gear wish list.

bigred72

05-28-2011, 04:42 PM

I have the Katadyn Guide. I have owned it for about six years, the no longer make it, but I wouldn't trade for the world. All of my friends and my scouts use the Hiker or Hiker Pro. Excellent filter. Anytime we run into silt, etc, we just wrap a clean bandanna around the intake and haven't had an issue yet.

treponema

05-28-2011, 05:51 PM

My secret for silt is cheap and fits in the filter bag... 3 coffee filters and a rubber band. Attach around the intake when there is silt. Works like a charm.

zzyzx

05-29-2011, 11:16 AM

Pretty good and helpful facts for me.:thumb:
I think, I'll buy the Katadyn Vario for my Salt Creek backpacking trip.
BTW.
What's the difference between Hiker and Hiker Pro?
Here in Germany and on Katadyn's website the Hiker Pro is not listed. I can buy only the Hiker.
THX for help.

treponema

05-29-2011, 11:37 AM

If I remember correctly, the Hiker Pro has more field-serviceable parts.

zzyzx

05-29-2011, 11:55 AM

THX treponema,

How to understand is the term 'field-serviceable parts'?
Better for outdoor-use?

DOSS

05-29-2011, 12:05 PM

THX treponema,

How to understand is the term 'field-serviceable parts'?
Better for outdoor-use?

It is easier to repair or replace parts when outdoors :)

zzyzx

05-29-2011, 01:30 PM

Thank you DOSS, for help to understand that term.:2thumbs:

homerj

05-29-2011, 08:36 PM

My secret for silt is cheap and fits in the filter bag... 3 coffee filters and a rubber band. Attach around the intake when there is silt. Works like a charm.

Great idea! I'm going to do this! Thanks!

homerj

05-29-2011, 08:44 PM

What's the difference between Hiker and Hiker Pro?
THX for help.

The Hiker pro comes with the quick release attachments.

Also, I read somewhere that the hiker pro comes with a screen filter around the main filter where as the hiker doesn't. You get the screen filter when you buy a replacement filter so it would make your hiker a pro.... Not sure if this is true or not though....

americanhero

05-29-2011, 09:08 PM

My secret for silt is cheap and fits in the filter bag... 3 coffee filters and a rubber band. Attach around the intake when there is silt. Works like a charm.

sounds good, I will test it on one of my next trips.

zzyzx

05-30-2011, 02:38 PM

THX homerj,
for this description.
IMO: I think, maybe the Hiker Pro is designed only for the US-Market.
But the combination of the Hiker + replacement filter could be a good bargain.

And yes, the coffee filters as pre-filter is an good idea.

andykrow

05-31-2011, 04:24 PM

For myself I've tried multiple coffee filters and they just don't deal with the really fine silt, in my experience. Maybe there's finer filters out there. Anyway I just got back from Dark, had two miniworks filters and they both worked great. Needed a quick scrub after every 10 liters or so but that's no problem. I will however be picking up a gravity filter for camp sometime soon... mostly because I hate pumping when I'm already all tired out. who's making the best one right now?

Dr. Nebz

05-31-2011, 05:01 PM