Portable water filtration, questions for the knowledgeable.

[harbinger808]

I got a deal on eBay from a guy that bought several for a project in another country and when that fell apart he no longer had use for them. I like the fact that its the same size and overall dimensions as my Scepter MFC/MWC cans. Main filter and charcoal filters are easy to change when needed and stored. Since moving to AZ, I always carry the Lifesaver and 1 MWC during the summer months just incase. More than enough water for emergency purposes. I plan on buying another just to keep in our house also.

Where did you get the jerrycan? The site says launching soon but not available yet?

 

[IdaSHO]

No problem. Some people really dislike the taste after purifying filtered water with iodine or bleach---even with the proper amounts. & yeah, i gotta agree it is not the most pleasant tasting water. If that is an issue, usually a separate carbon filter will remove the bad taste.

I have to agree, however at some point I hope those people wrap their heads around priorities.

Do you want potable water, or not?

:coffeedrink:


Either way these "new" water filtration gravity bags intrigue me.

As an avid backpacker, Ive always run my old Katadyn high capacity microfilter. cleanable .2 micro ceramic, and good for 13,000 gallons.

Works great, and can produce potable water from a nasty puddle, but it is a workout for even a bottle full.


These bags, for those that are using them, what capacity are the cartridges rated for?
Are they cleanable?

Thanks

 

[762X39]

The Katadyn Base Camp Pro (10 Litre) has a filter life of 1500 Litres. Quite a bit shorter than the ceramic filter in my Katadyn Combi but no pumping required. If you need large quantities of safe water, I guess the drip filter is easier to use. This might be important or necessary for some users. I went with the Combi so that I would not have to resort to adding bleach or charcoal "just to be safe" (although the Combi accepts Charcoal pouches to remove offensive tastes).

 

[Christophe Noel]

The new MSR Guardian, mentioned above, is the most advanced purifier ever made. Bar none. I've been using it for the last several months and it's easily the best filter I've used in 20+ years. Spendy, but amazing.

Look for more info on the home page of ExPo on Thursday.

 

[IdaSHO]

Looks nice, but still a pump.

And compared to the Katadyn Pocket Microfilter...

MSR Guardian filter capacity is 20% of the Katadyn
MSR Guardian pumps more than 2x the volume in a given time
MSR Guardian weighs 2oz less
MSR Guardian costs $100 more

I think Ill stick to my Katadyn


Question though looking at the MSR Guardian, is it designed to thread onto a bottle?
So you have to use a specific type bottle? Like a Nalgene?

As much as so many people seem to like them, Ive never seen the appeal.
Ive seen more than a few broken Nalgenes in my travels.
Not mine personally, but folks Ive packed with and come across in the back country.


Ive used Hunersdorf bottles exclusively for decades, and I really doubt the MSR filter would adapt.

 

[762X39]

The downside to my Katadyne Combi is the ceramic filter (if it freezes it's toast).
The upside to my Combi is - the ceramic filter, its capacity will outlive me
- the construction of the pump/housing, it will outlive me
- I purchased it as a lifetime buy, it will outlive me
I have seen lots of instances of MSR's failing in the field due to breakage of the pump mechanism, same problem as if I damaged my ceramic filter except I don't use my Combi in freezing temperatures, I rarely hike more than 10km from my truck in winter (and it is in urban areas) and I always have a litre of potable water with me in a stainless steel bottle (Kleen Kanteen) in my pack.
In the end, whatever works for you and have a backup plan.

 

[transporterjr]

Either way these "new" water filtration gravity bags intrigue me.

As an avid backpacker, Ive always run my old Katadyn high capacity microfilter. cleanable .2 micro ceramic, and good for 13,000 gallons.

Works great, and can produce potable water from a nasty puddle, but it is a workout for even a bottle full.

Yeah I have a Katadyn metal-ceramic filter that my wife bought me. It will likely out-last me. And yeah, it's a work out.

I don't like the weight for back backing, but if I carry only a pt. to a qt. & just filter water on the trail, more or less as needed, I'm ahead of my co-hikers carrying 2-3 qts. I do have a problem with them wanting to pause at water crossings for me to filter and fill a bottle. With it's just me and my son there is no problem, and I enjoy the breaks.

The Katadyn does work well. At a rusty colored pond at a Appalachian Trail shelter in the White Mtns (NH), everyone had discolored water, even after filtering. While someone was stating such, I made a "Shhh!" gesture to my son as we pumped perfectly clear water out of the Katadyn. I just did not want to be pumping water, or passing the filter around, to a shelter and tent site full of tru-hikers and weekend warriors, like ourselves.

On a kayak trip in Alaska, we used a Katadyn bag filter. For that trip, or a vehicle based, trip, they are a nice way to go. Set it up and let it run. You do need to be a bit careful, i.e. a separate water gathering bucket or bag is good to avoid possible contamination.

I just bought Aquamira Water Treatment Drops for back packing. Supposedly do not affect taste much; we'll see this season coming up.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I was one of the first to get my paws on the Guardian before they were released to the public. It's an amazing product. One of the most impressive I've tested in many, many years.

http://expeditionportal.com/gear-scout-msr-guardian-water-purification-system/

 

[Christophe Noel]

Looks nice, but still a pump.

And compared to the Katadyn Pocket Microfilter...

MSR Guardian filter capacity is 20% of the Katadyn
MSR Guardian pumps more than 2x the volume in a given time
MSR Guardian weighs 2oz less
MSR Guardian costs $100 more

I think Ill stick to my Katadyn


Question though looking at the MSR Guardian, is it designed to thread onto a bottle?
So you have to use a specific type bottle? Like a Nalgene?

As much as so many people seem to like them, Ive never seen the appeal.
Ive seen more than a few broken Nalgenes in my travels.
Not mine personally, but folks Ive packed with and come across in the back country.


Ive used Hunersdorf bottles exclusively for decades, and I really doubt the MSR filter would adapt.

Broken Nalgene? Seriously? When I was a big-wall climber I remember dropping a Lexan Nalgene two pitches, 250+ feet, onto the ground and it didn't break. They're about as indestructible as any bottle will ever get.

Anyway, the thread that is on most "wide mouth" Nalgenes is the same thread diameter used by virtually all bottle makers with a wide mouth option. This includes the top selling bottles which are made by Nalgene, Camelbak, Klean Kanteen, and scads of others. But, you can also put an out hose on the Guardian.

The Pocket (which I've used for years) can produce only 1 liter per minute versus 2.6. It does produce way more water over the lifespan of the element. The biggie is the fact that the Pocket will not remove viruses, which to me, as an international traveler, matters. The self cleaning aspect of the Guardian is what I really like the most.

 

[IdaSHO]

Christophe,

Wait, whats that about viruses?

It comes down to filter pore size correct?

So what is the rated pore size for the MSR?

Your review states .2 micron

http://expeditionportal.com/gear-scout-msr-guardian-water-purification-system/

however, most retailers showing specs state .02 micron



And yes, Ive seen more than a few busted nalgenes

This website comes to mind....

https://gearjunkie.com/break-nalgene-water-bottle-no-bpa

 

[762X39]

I have looked into the new MSR filter because of all the hubub and although I am not going to replace my Katadyn (I am not a gear junkie, what I have works) if I were in the market today I would certainly consider it. I was however under the impression that my filter also guards against viruses. Is there something I don't know?

 

[IdaSHO]

No, and that's where I was originally confused.

The Katadyn Pocket Microfilter has a filter pore size rating of .2 micron

Christophe article about the MSR Guardian states a .2 micron rating as well, but I think that is an error.

Every other site Ive seen actual specs for the MSG Guardian states it has a filter pore size of .02 Micron. Or 10x "better" filtration than the Katadyn.


Assuming that it is rated to .02 (MSR website is useless, showing zero specs) it is superior to the Katadyn with regards to filter capability.

Although in all my years, Ive never had an incident related to viruses.


Even then, I dont think it is a 100% fix for viruses, based upon this chart you need to be at or beyond .005 micron to catch all viruses.

And according to this site with regards to viruses,

They are 0.004 to 0.1 microns in size, which is about 100 times smaller than bacteria.

https://www.wqa.org/Learn-About-Water/Common-Contaminants/Bacteria-Viruses

 

[762X39]

Well, I just learned something. Thanks for the chart and link. I am unlikely to change my filter for use in Northern Ontario but if I started traveling a lot in Europe, Asia or South America and research indicated the likelihood of water issues I would consider a change or upgrade in my current system.