Portable Water Filter

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keluangus

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Jul 11, 2006
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The company has finally revealed that I am, after all, expendable: I am now in charge of business in India.:jerkit:

I am thinking of packing a pump-type water filter with me - so that I can always be sure of safe water supply. Considering the Katadyn/Pur Hiker Pro - since mostly I am in hotels (in some places there's just one and its inevitably dodgy).

Any ideas, comments, reviews on the Hiker Pro?
 
Two things
1. I would buy the best darn one that they make I dont care how much it cost because if you get the green apple two step in India you may never make it out. 2. and whatever you do --- dont stand on the street corner with a bible in your hand calling people to repentance because you will then realize without a doubt that you are expendable.
 
I think the model you listed is a "filter", not quite the same thing as a "purifier". It will filter bacteria, but it won't get viruses. From what I've heard, a good filter is enough for streams in North America and Europe, but you might want a purifier in southeast Asia.
Unfortunately, purifiers are more expensive than filters, and use either chemicals or ultraviolet lights to kill viruses (virii?), which means that you need to carry extra chemicals or batteries.

I can't say for sure if you need a purifier where you're going, but it's something to check out.
 
kresky: according to the blurb, it filters out things like giardia (easiest), crytosporidia, protozoa and other bacteria (terii?). But you're right - what about viruses? Howabout preventing cholera? That's a big thing in India. Let's hope there's an expert lurker around...

xbxb: the way things are going, an easier way to find out if you're expendable, is to stand on a corner and speak out against the police state that our 'democratic' governments have become.
 
keluangus said:
. . .xbxb: the way things are going, an easier way to find out if you're expendable, is to stand on a corner and speak out against the police state that our 'democratic' governments have become.
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Sorta' like you just did? Let us know if you hear a black helicopter approaching.
 
...that you'll need a filter. If your staying mostly in hotels how much tapwater are you expecting to use? Most every hotel, even the lower echelon ones, provide bottled water for brushing teeth, shaving, etc. Stay away from raw fruits and vegetables, cooked and well done is the way to go. Bottled beverages of your choice. NO ICE.

This advice mainly applies to hotel living. I travel to less desirable locales (and some nice ones) and it works for me. If I'm really stuck a coffee filter and 5 minutes of a rolling boil do the trick. Apartment living and doing your own cooking definitely changes things.
 
You could also get one of the Katadyn Extream botles. Looks like a water bottle, but has a pruifier cartridge in it if I'm not mistaken.... wouldn't be hard to scrape/wear off the wording to keep in low key...
 
I think you'll do well in India and really dont believe you will need any water filter at all. Dont worry about a thing here in the US have fun there and by the way please tell Laverne I said Hi. I talked to her the other day when I called Capital One.
 
xbxb - thanks for the assurance, but I was just visiting guantanamo the other day, and, some people there didn't think so...wooooo!! Do I hear helicopters..??

My manager - who's been to India 20 times over the last 2 years, caught acute meningitis and other stuff. He's a plenty experienced and careful world traveller and only takes bottled water and no raw stuff. Food for tot indeed.

Beer's the original filtered water, guys. But I'm going to be in a 'dry' state!
 
make sure when you shower you close your eyes and mouth. Buy a cheap pair of flip flops to shower in, dont let water get into any cuts -- like I said buy the best you can as long as it meets your needs. I own the Katadyn pocket filter, it was about 200 bucks. I spoke to a micro biologist about it who was into water purification and he said it would work great he also said i should buy some iodine. see below. Good Luck

Katadyn Pocket Filter
Katadyn Micropur MP1 Purification Tablets
iodine-- I think the cdc has directions on how much to use --see below
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/water_treatment.htm
http://www.thebackpacker.com/gear/w...logy_inc_first_need_portable_water_filter.php
 
Chances are you are going to get sick in spite of your best efforts no matter how careful you are. But, as a frequent traveler to some of the worlds shitholes, I do carry at least one of the Pur units for my drinking water no matter what the water source including bottled. What guarantees do you have that bottled isn't from someones tap? Especially overseas!! I also make sure that my Doc prescribes antibiotics for the common stomach bugs and I check to see what the malaria situation is and take appropriate action. There are a couple kinds of it BTW..... When I kept getting sick in Egypt years back, I'd filter the water, boil it, strain it, freeze it, re-filter it, and to be safe drank beer. When you brush your teeth make sure the water is treated. As for food, unless you are preparing your own, the source again is suspect and the most likely reason for getting sick. Our systems are adjusted to the area we live and even a cross country trip at home can give you a dose of the travelers tummy with changes in the local water. As much as I don't like the taste, Pepto Bismol always travels with me and I use it to ward off the two step. Your mileage may vary.
Rocky - professional utility pilot/airplanes & Helicopters - worldwide
 
Flyinrock said:
When I kept getting sick in Egypt years back, I'd filter the water, boil it, strain it, freeze it, re-filter it, and to be safe drank beer. When you brush your teeth make sure the water is treated.
Rocky - professional utility pilot/airplanes & Helicopters - worldwide
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Since one of the tenets of survival is multipurpose equipment, why not just brush your teeth with beer? Hey, I think I'm going to try that - saves spitting. :D

Doc
 
I use a Pur Hiker when backpacking in the Sierras. That being said, in your situation I would recommend the MSR Miniworks. I have seen some test data that show the miniworks to be head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to removing pathogens from water. Even then, when in doubt you could always use a little bleach after filtering.
 
Interesting to hear about the MRS Miniworks - will check it out. If you can recall or have the link to the comparison/test data - I'd be obliged if you could paste it here.

xbxb: thanks for the links. What do you think of treating the water with iodine first, then running it throught the filter (which has a carbon element to remove odours, chemicals)?

Heck Doc - you do realise what you're on to, don't you: brush with beer - paste not necessary since it lathers already - no need to spit, just swallow - and - breakfast already since beer has calories!
Pure brilliance.
 
I believe there is an excellent purifier made in Britain called the "Berkey" (Berkshire?)? It is a small countertop model, not for backpacking. It has been in production for quite a few years and is supposed to be of very high quality. I don't remember the specs on it, but I am sure that a bit of searching will turn up their website.

Codger
 
Do not confuse ease of use with effectiveness. Most (almost all) reviews only address how easy a filter is to use, with anecdotal statements such as "we never got sick", but they were probably never in a situation where it really mattered that much. The typical user does not have the means to test the filter for bacteriological effectiveness.

I have bacteriological test reports, sorry to say I am not at liberty to post here (agreement was made in order to get said information). I would back up the MSR MiniWorks, or a step up to the MSR WaterWorks or Katadyn Combi (the best two out there - better than the so-called purifiers). Even so, no filter is for sure when it comes to viruses. Most (well over 90%) viruses are attached to particles, so a good filter will remove them. But it is not 100%.

Consider the fact that a liter of water may have 20 million bacteria. A 99% filter leaves a lot behind.

In addition to the filter, I would suggest a chemical treatment of some sort to make sure the virues are deactivated, bleach would work. Bleach, then filter - the carbon block inthe filter will remove the chemical.

As a sanity check, the Katadyn Pocket Filter has been used all over the world for over 60 years, and it works. The filters mentioned above are more effective than the Pocket Filter.

Do not go cheap on the water filter. Especially where you are going.

Another option is the MSR MIOX. The plus side is that you don't need to pump, and it is quite small and light. The downside is that if you are treating cloudy water you will drink whatever is there - it does not filter out things in the water or remove bad flavor, it just inactivates the pathogens.
 
The pre-treatment Concept is likely the safest but also the most time consuming. Pre-treat for 30 min or longer depending on what you are using as treatment AND your water source, then filter to remove the dead cooties and the treatment chemical. <><
 
keluangus said:
Interesting to hear about the MRS Miniworks - will check it out. If you can recall or have the link to the comparison/test data - I'd be obliged if you could paste it here.

xbxb: thanks for the links. What do you think of treating the water with iodine first, then running it throught the filter (which has a carbon element to remove odours, chemicals)?

Heck Doc - you do realise what you're on to, don't you: brush with beer - paste not necessary since it lathers already - no need to spit, just swallow - and - breakfast already since beer has calories!
Pure brilliance.
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Hey !!!
You may have solved my problem of why I brushed my teeth so often in Egypt! The scotch was OK but a bit harsh on my gums...kind of like Listerine.
 
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