Aquamira Frontier Filter Straw?

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
Super Mod
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
45,835
Anyone tried these? Any impressions you'd share?

I saw them mentioned in a Field & Stream article and gave them a quick look online. Cheapest I've found so far is $8.95.

I also saw a "Pro" or deluxe version for around $20.

aquamira_frontier_filter_pkg.jpg
 
I found one for about $8 locally and keep it in my daily carry for emergencies. I wish I had some good intel to share with you. I might give it a try one of these days so I can share my impressions. I figured at that price they were worth checking out.
 
Yes i have both kinds in my kit, they are the best thing for the money, i would still boil your water but if you cant for some reason these are better than nothing, the thing that really turned me on to them is that you can acutally hook up the bigger one to be an in line filter for your camel back which for the money is a real good deal i think . Hope this helps

semper fi do or die
 
Thanks, fellas. Bumping this one for the day crowd to see if there are any other users.
 
I carry one in my pack. The only time I tried using one was a demo me and another guy did for my Cub Scout pack. We filtered fish pond water with pump/filter (I forget what brand he had) and drank it (my scouts still laugh about that). I also took a sip of some muddy water using the Frontier, but not enough to judge its ability to hold up for a day or two (I think it is rated for a specific # of gallons). Like any filter, I suppose the big issue is particulate loading as a it would become more efficient as a filter while you are using it and the Frontier has a pretty small surface area to draw across. I'm sure that someone here has more experience with it than I do though.
 
Sorry Guyon - no experience, but I did go to the site and look up the technology. As a toxicologist, I have to say I suspect some of the nano-technology treatment methods out there. They are based on surface area + catalysts or electrolysis of salt producing strong oxidants that work really well for clear water but have the possibility of performing poorly in turbid water. Of course, the crux is that the most contaminated waters are often the most turbid waters! As Mneedham mentioned, these same waters also play havoc on filters.

When I looked at the technology of this one as reported at the company website there were two things that I really liked. First it is basically a filter system which to my mind is much better than strictly chemical. Second it has activated charcoal which is effective at removing other things in the water. Personally I think the piece of kit is a great one for emergencies.

I think the best technologies for routine use are ones where you can filter the water to remove most of the gunk first and then sterilize with chlorine tabs, chemical tabs or maybe one of them salt-electrolysis units. Filtering the water first removes most of the nasties and dramatically increases the effectiveness of the 2nd sterilization step.
 
I have the Frontier in my EDC pouch. The pouch is about 6-7 inches long so it fits right in. I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet though. I also keep a 2 quart water bag and chlorine pills it there. So in an emergency I can use both or the straw only if I'm on the move and don't have 4 hours. In an emergency it's a pretty good piece of kit and way better than nothing at all.
 
I may pick up a couple of the regulars and maybe one of the deluxe models.
 
I used the Frontier Pro recently as a travel filter to a foreign country (Taiwan) in conjunction with tablets, but not this one. The Pro performed great, was very versatile in it's ability to be used in various ways, and cost me about $15. I don't think I'd rely on it as a filter for a hiking trip unless I absolutely had too, but after using it, I have confidence that I could. As stated, it is a great emergency filter, but I really liked it to stay healthy on my travel since water in other countries always gets me.
 
I have a few of the "Pro" versions of the filter and really like them. I've found them pretty robust and functional. Teamed up with a small Playtpus collapsible water bottle and it's a great addition to a small kit.

DSC03407.jpg


Here it is rolled up inside the Platypus bottle (just above the 550-cord):

DSC03406.jpg


ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
I have a few of the "Pro" versions of the filter and really like them. I've found them pretty robust and functional. Teamed up with a small Playtpus collapsible water bottle and it's a great addition to a small kit.

DSC03407.jpg


Here it is rolled up inside the Platypus bottle (just above the 550-cord):

DSC03406.jpg


ROCK6
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pics ROCK6. After seeing that, I decided to just go with a couple of the Pro filters--one for my kit and one for my wife's. That Platypus bladder looks like a nice complement. I think my local REI sells those.
 
I keep one of the Frontier straws in my 24 hour kit, the straw squashes down and takes up very little volume- it's light too- 0.7 oz

I use Micro Pur tabs, but this is a nice backup- the cost is nice too :)
 
I've got a couple in my two small packs along with some water tabs and oven bags but even my smallest kit has a Sierra cup in or lashed to it and my first choice would be to boil water. I have these as redundant backups just in case.

photo.php
 
just remember to use bleach or iodine with this filter, as it only takes out the large stuff.
 
I carry the Frontier in my PSK as a last resort thing. I also carry a water bag and Micropur tabs...but when those run out, it's nice to have a decent backup. Thinking I'm going to go back to carrying a boiling container on me at all times though...

My friend has an extra Pro filter that he's sending to me, should be great with a platypus as Rock6 is using. Apparently you can use it as a gravity filter, then drop a tab :thumbup:.

[youtube]wSYWoplv_Uo[/youtube]
 
rksoon said:
Apparently you can use it as a gravity filter, then drop a tab :thumbup:.

[youtube]wSYWoplv_Uo[/youtube]
Click to expand...



This is how I used it for the cistern water in Taiwan. I could fill a water bottle in about 20-30 seconds with this method or comfortably drink straight from the bladder. Interestingly enough, though the Pro filter can be attached to your average water bottle and used like a straw or so you can turn the bottle upside down and drink with the bite valve, some of the bottled water there had neck/thread sizes that would not fit the filter.
 
Based on ROCK6's post, I picked up a Platypus bottle too.

I just tucked everything (filter, bottle, and instructions/extra filters) in a quart Ziplock and put it in my pack.

Filter1.jpg


Filter2.jpg


Filter3.jpg


Filter4.jpg
 
Where'd you pick it up from? I've been looking for one, but the usual places I look to for stuff like this don't have it.


PS: Cool mat:cool:
 
Guyon, I picked one of these up a while back and had the opportunity to test it out in a small creek bed by the school. Since I didn't come up with Giardia or worse, I guess it worked pretty well. I am going to investigate the possibility of hooking it up in lieu of the straw in one of my CamelBak bottles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top