Recommendations for Water Filter Systems

[Paradox6]

Little surprised that I could not find another discussion on this topic. Usually get to go for 3-7 days solo, on occasion there are two of us, fishing and canoeing trips, so availablity of water and weight are not really a problem. Go 4-6 times a season, if filter life is an issue. See lots of systems, but not sure which way to go or how to compare them. Would like to have a good feeling the company manufacturing them is likely to be around for a few years. Thanks for any insights.

[Dick]

Lots of ways to go on this. I use a Katadyn Hiker (formerly Pur Hiker), and carry an iodine backup with vitamin C.

11 oz.
Size 6.5 in. x 2.375 in.
Removes bacteria, protozoa, giardia
Pore Size .2
Pump Strokes/L -
Cart Capacity 200 gal.
Liters per Minute 1 L/min.

Dick

[redhawk]

Do a search on "water filters" from the search box on the menu bar (not the "thread search"). You will find 7 threads on water filters.

[Wldrns]

Little surprised that I could not find another discussion on this topic. Usually get to go for 3-7 days solo, on occasion there are two of us, fishing and canoeing trips, so availablity of water and weight are not really a problem. Go 4-6 times a season, if filter life is an issue. See lots of systems, but not sure which way to go or how to compare them. Would like to have a good feeling the company manufacturing them is likely to be around for a few years. Thanks for any insights.

A lot of people do use filters. Just be sure to have a back-up, especially on long treks. Consider some kind of pre-filter unless you have clear water to start with, to prevent premature clogging and failure.

Other higher tech (e.g. Miox) methods are available also - after witnessing them I haven't been impressed enough to make the switch. Me? For over 20 years I have exclusively used PolarPure iodine crystals. Like any other method, each has its limitations and there are arguments and studies on which method kills what harmful organism the best. But for me PolarPure is fast (it does its work as I hike after a 30 second stop to fill up), it seems to work (I've never gotten sick), is inexpensive and light (a small $10 bottle lasts for years and treats hundreds of gallons), has unlimited shelf life (unlike the tablet form), and I really don't mind the taste (some people hate it).

I've guided several groups whose filters crapped out on the second day, either because of misuse in selecting a water source (I can't watch them all the time) or some sort of mechanical failure. So I carry an extra bottle of PolarPure for them.

[Paradox6]

Thank you to all. Always had and used iodine, back from old Army days, would try to cover up the taste, which usually worked when it went down the first time, but really disliked repeating it all day. Figured it was just one of those things that went along with the overall experience. I'd been looking at them each spring for the last few years, didn't figure I'd get enough use out of it to justify one and would hold off and live with the tablets. When I came back the next year it seems like the selection had changed, (didn't realize Katadyn purchased other brands). Decided that I didn't want to get something where I'd have to replace a filter in the future and not have the manufacturer around. Next time I looked it seemed the next choice (and reason for indecision) was whether or not I needed to filter viruses. Mr. Redhawk, found the other threads. Thank you again.

Seems like the consensus is that viruses are not a major problem, filters are OK, the old Army saying about not ****ing in (or near) your mess kit still holds true, and I'll still be carrying tablets. Darn, now they got them with Vitamin C, what will they think of next? I used to use Tang, but that was hardly an inprovement in taste over the iodine.

[Wldrns]

Seems like the consensus is that viruses are not a major problem, filters are OK, the old Army saying about not ****ing in (or near) your mess kit still holds true, and I'll still be carrying tablets. Darn, now they got them with Vitamin C, what will they think of next? I used to use Tang, but that was hardly an inprovement in taste over the iodine.

Note that PolarPure is NOT the same as the G.I. iodine compound tablets. The tablets have a shelf life, pure iodine crystals (PolarPure) does not and will last for decades without losing potency. There are counters to the taste that you can buy to add, including something as simple as lemonade mix. Just be sure to wait until the iodine has done its job before adding any kind of flavoring... otherwise the iodine may not be available in solution to purify the water.

[Dick]

There are counters to the taste that you can buy to add, including something as simple as lemonade mix. Just be sure to wait until the iodine has done its job before adding any kind of flavoring... otherwise the iodine may not be available in solution to purify the water.

That's the reason why I carry vitamin C to kill the taste. Of course, drink mixes usually have vitamin C in them. It's also important to make sure the bottle is free of vitamin C before doing a second batch.

Dick

[Wildernessphoto]

I used polar pure for years, and it worked GREAT. the only negitive is the glass bottle, and the weight. I've switched to Betadine in a plastic eyedropper bottle. It weighs almost nothing and seems to work well.

[whitefoot]

Anybody ever use Auqamira? i have a freind that swears by it,she says it has no after taste at all, im thinking of useing it this summer.

[redhawk]

Having used navy issue iodine tablets for several years I avoid it like the plague. I sometimes had to drink "iodinized" water for several days at a time.

I rely on a filter, or boil my water. I do however carry tablets "just in case" but fortunately have never had to resort to them.

In the winter I cayy an ax so I can chop through the ice and get water when i need it, then i boil it.

[redhawk]

I used polar pure for years, and it worked GREAT. the only negitive is the glass bottle, and the weight. I've switched to Betadine in a plastic eyedropper bottle. It weighs almost nothing and seems to work well.

Couldn't you just put the polar pure in a plastic bottle?

[paul ron]

Great article just posted on VFTT, recomended reading if you are considering a filter... http://viewsfromthetop.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=12342

[Wildernessphoto]

Couldn't you just put the polar pure in a plastic bottle?

I'm not sure why they put it in a dark brown glass bottle. The iodine is crystalline iodine and is like little BB's on the bottom of the bottle. My understanding is that these iodine BB's need to remain under water so they don't evaporate. They will if exposed to air. You fill the bottle with water and that makes a brine. You take capfuls of this brine and add it to your water bottle based on the chart on the side of the bottle (based on temperature) and then refill the polar pure bottle so it makes more brine for next time. I've still got 2 bottles that are many years old, and still are full of water, and the iodine crystals are still there.
I used them for years, but after talking to a wilderness EMT, he recommended the Betadine. He uses it, and already has it in his first-aid kit.

[Dick]

Great article just posted on VFTT, recomended reading if you are considering a filter... http://viewsfromthetop.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=12342

I second the recommendation of this article.

Dick

[Wldrns]

Couldn't you just put the polar pure in a plastic bottle?

Elemental iodine (I2), the crystals in PolarPure, are extremely corrosive. Glass is the only reasonable container. One past weakness in the system was the plastic cap became brittle with time (more than a couple of years) from the iodine vapors. That problem seems to have been cured with a better cap in more recent times. The outside of the glass has a protective clear plastic coating so it's pretty resistant to breakage.

The whole thing isn't all that heavy, certainly far lighter than a filter and a lot less bulky as well. The betadine method may work too as a lighter weight alternative, but I have not seen any studies on effectiveness. I guess the ultimate test is remaining healthy.