What would be a good portable water filter to invest in? I want something that will still be usable many years from now (in case I don't need to use it for a long time). I like the X-Pack: DGR Industrial Products, Inc. :: Cleaners, Waxes and Polishes :: Water Purification & Disinfection :: X-Pack Water Treatment Unit but it only has a shelf life of three years. So if I don't use it by then, I'll have to buy another one every three years. I'd rather buy several good water filters that will last for a long time.
I use the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter almost exclusively as my main filter. Cleaned some pretty mucky water from stagnant puddles from time to time too on some deep backcountry treks. It's a Marathon ceramic filter that is cleanable and the whole thing is built like a tank. Highly recommend if you only want to buy it once. I have a few extra ceramic filters Katadyn Pocket Replacement Element as well but unless I crack one in freezing weather, can't see that I'll ever need to replace it.
For about $60, the Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Microfilter is hard to beat. I have used them for years, and the exact same model was originally made by Pur, which I still have somewhere in storage. The filters are easy to replace and can filter several hundred gallons of dirty water, but will last much longer if used to draw from clear springs and lakes. The one Melbo listed is superior to this model, and would definitely be a great addition to any kit.
The one melbo listed is what I took with me on my motorcycle trip to Alaska, just a little older. A good practice is to use a coffee filter wrapped tightly and secured around the take up hose end. This will help your filter element last longer.
...between cleanings. You can't hurt this filter but like pointed out, the more pre-filtering you do on any water filter, the better the flow and longer you can use it before cleaning the filter. The Pocket takes about 30 seconds to clean in the field.
I have the Katadyn Basecamp, but am looking for a pump for quick needs. I think for now that ones out of my price range, but the msr hyperflow looks promising too. Sent from my HTC EVO using Tapatalk
Believe me you cannot go wrong with anything from Katadyn....It is simply the best had one for years. It truly is hard to wake up some morning to find a member of your family sitting on the toilet writhing in pain due to cryptosporidium, Or one of the other nasties that makes water its home if you choose to use a product that is not quite up to standards that of katadyn...........The only other filter I might even consider to use would be Steripen but your still looking at a good outlay from your wallet.
I just bought the Pocket filter and a Steripen traveler (for viruses), One for running streams and both for standing water. I also got the charcoal filter, might as well have great tasting water.. I have read that it isn't needed if you preflow your water by 1/2 liter before actually filling your bottle as it states in the instructions. I have the Modgear water bottle pouch from Cheaper than dirt: MOLLE-011 - ModGear Black Water Bottle Pouch Padded Main Compartment Zippered Utility Pouch Fits everything, and has a front pouch to hold the cleaning gear, the coffee filters, and misc stuff. Pretty cool, thanks Melbo, your opinion sealed the deal.
For the home I have a Berkey light filter for the rain barrels. If you haven't seen Berkey's in action, it would be beneficial to check them out, they use the same ceramic filters as the Katadyn Pocket filter. I have the Black filters with a spare set. Berkey Light Or here: Berkey® Water Purifiers
If you're looking for something to use on foot I love my Hiker Pro. It's served me well on the Florida and Appalachian Trails. Pumping gets old fast, though. If you're talking about fixed usage the Basecamp Agfadoc mentioned is very nice.
Most any of the pump style back packers will do you well. We have several in various packs, a couple of gravity filters, and even some straws. A real neat trick is to take some ordinary "pool shock" (powdered Chlorine) and make your own "Clorox". Just a few table spoons will disinfect thousands of gallons from Giardia, Cryptosporin, and most anything else. We keep a few bottles of Polar Pur to treat with also. It is Iodine based. Boiling is the old standby. Several have mentioned prefiltering your intake. Well worth the effort.
I have the Katadyn Vario Multifilter. I haven't tested it with nasty water yet. But my tap water (city) is nasty enough. HG
Christmas Gift My wife is going to wrap this up for me for a Christmas Gift when it arrives. I agree with Melbo; it's best if you can buy things just once. I especially appreciated you providing that handy link! Thank you!
I bought a Miniworks EX by MSRfor my backpacking son. It is also a ceramic filter/carbon core but it can screw into your drinking bottle if needed. Its fast 1.14Liters/minute. It filters everything but viruses. MSR Mios, MSR Autoflow & MSR hyperflow will filter viruses but their filtering material is with brine solution & mainly for large volumes of water.
I bought a 12VDC socket with 2 - battery terminal clamps, a 140W converter to plug into the socket receptacle, a small aquarium R.O. set up. Add Couple bilge hoses, a couple circle clamps, a 12v bilge pump, and I'm in the purified water biz.
