Sawyer H20 - What think?

Q

Quirt

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Oct 10, 2005
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Seriously considering buying the Sawyer Point Zero Two Bucket System for my home "Urban Disaster" kit. I'll use it in the woods while camping with the family as I can make less trips to the stream knowing I've got at least 5 gallons ready to be filtered on a moments notice.

Anyone have any good/bad comments about this system before I pull the switch?

Also considering ordering one of their Bottle Filters as well for when I travel. I'm always skeptical about water whenever I travel outside of my area. So this would be a easy and handi way to filter water I drink daily. Again, thoughts/reviews/comments are always greatly apprecated.

~Q
 
I don't have much faith in bottle filters or filters as a whole. Keep in mind "filters" only filter bacteria down to a specific micron. Viruses still need to be killed with chemicals/light or heat (boiling). You have a link for your product?
 
Iboschi said:
I don't have much faith in bottle filters or filters as a whole. Keep in mind "filters" only filter bacteria down to a specific micron. Viruses still need to be killed with chemicals/light or heat (boiling). You have a link for your product?
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I'm not an expert in any way, but in a natural environment it's my understanding that the chances of encountering live virus in the water is basically zero. In an urban environment would be a different story though.
 
remmmm said:
I'm not an expert in any way, but in a natural environment it's my understanding that the chances of encountering live virus in the water is basically zero. In an urban environment would be a different story though.
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Nope, viruses occur in rural and wild water too. Not nearly as common as cysts or bacteria but do a google search and there are enough to make someone a little concerned. If you're at the source of a spring or the birth of a river you're probably fine. I'm not. Many cities are situated near bodies of water, so there is an urban influence there as well. The OP also said he wants one in a SHTF situation and virus mitigation would be a needed component of that set-up.

P.S. I'm also boycotting TheBladeShop :D
 
I've had the Sawyer 1 Liter nalgene bottle for a few years and never had a lick of trouble with it. It is a little hard to suck through, but that is normal. I sure was glad I had it when my Steripen crapped out a few trips ago. The only thing to keep in mind is the bottle at least doesn't come with a backwash system. It will need to be back washed eventually, I believe they sell it separately.
 
There are two Sawyyer units! One will filter viruses as well as giardia and crypto etc.

They are good units as long as they are NOT used in freezing conditions, and I dont mean just being allowed to freeze. If used under cold conditions in a cold wind the water flowing through those tiny cappillary tubes will freeze and burst the tubes. If it is to be used under those conditions then care must be taken to keep the filter unit and feed lines insulated. Otherwise the filters will allow unfiltered water to pass by into the clean water.

Instead of this and the attendant problems with pump units I went to the MSR MIOX unit which allows me to make my own treatment for the water. Weight is a mere ounces as well as far less bulk. The CR123 batteries it uses will store for 5 years as well.
 
Iboschi said:
I don't have much faith in bottle filters or filters as a whole. Keep in mind "filters" only filter bacteria down to a specific micron. Viruses still need to be killed with chemicals/light or heat (boiling). You have a link for your product?
Click to expand...

Here you go...

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/viral.htm

Along with freezing that was just mentioned there is also some issue or trick to priming and/or back washing.
 
Pretty tall claims on their website. If they're true then this unit is pretty much overkill.
 
JCavSD said:
Pretty tall claims on their website. If they're true then this unit is pretty much overkill.
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Guess that's why the sell a not so "aggressive" filter in the same style as well.

I started looking at these a year ago and sure would like it if they live up to the claims. Sitting around pumping through a filter is a pain and the pumps fall apart and the chemicals can take a long time.

This gravity set up looks like a quick easy way to process a lot of water...if it works.
 
I recently picked up their 4-liter filter. Flow rate is pretty decent and unlike Katadyn's gravity filter bag, you can actually squeeze the Sawyer to get a faster flow. The beauty though is that you can collect your water and let it filter why you set up the rest of your camp, get firewood and prep for dinner...it's a great addition to the backpack!

Sawyer claims it will remove viruses which is good, but I would still use a quick shot of my MIOX if I was suspect. As Iboschi mentioned, viruses are not much of a concern in rural/recreational areas, but any type of natural disaster can quickly lead to a significant and quick rise of a virus threat...especially around populated areas.

So far, I'm very satisfied with my Sawyer 4-liter filter/purifier so far...

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
I recently picked up their 4-liter filter. Flow rate is pretty decent and unlike Katadyn's gravity filter bag, you can actually squeeze the Sawyer to get a faster flow. The beauty though is that you can collect your water and let it filter why you set up the rest of your camp, get firewood and prep for dinner...it's a great addition to the backpack!

Sawyer claims it will remove viruses which is good, but I would still use a quick shot of my MIOX if I was suspect. As Iboschi mentioned, viruses are not much of a concern in rural/recreational areas, but any type of natural disaster can quickly lead to a significant and quick rise of a virus threat...especially around populated areas.

So far, I'm very satisfied with my Sawyer 4-liter filter/purifier so far...

ROCK6
Click to expand...

which of the 4 liter systems do you use?
thanks
 
sadiejane said:
which of the 4 liter systems do you use?
thanks
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I just have the 4-liter filter...not the two bladder system (although I'm really thinking about that one).

Sawyer 4-Liter

It's not heavy, but a little bulky when packed...I like the idea of the two pouch system as you need to periodically check your water containers to make sure they don't over-flow. With the second "potable" bladder, you can just fill the non-potable reservoir and it'll filter into the potable reservoir which can be set up at night before you go to bed or in the morning before you take off for a short hike.

ROCK6
 
Thanks for the input. I have multiple other options for filtering and purifying so this is a back up system anyway. The bucket system will clean several hundred gallons a day so can be used as my primary or secondary system if there is an urban catastrophic emergency. But in elk camp and other venues it will be a better system than we're doing now because I can have 5 gallons ready for dishes, drinking or cooking at a moment's notice. Sure beats waiting on water to boil all the time.

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/viral.htm

Freezing is something to be concerned about so thanks for the 'heads up' on that. I'll keep it above freezing and probably purchase a back up filter "just in case".

Regarding the bottle...I plan on using this system when traveling out of town or by air. I teach/speak all over North America so it appears to be a good system to take along with me when I travel by air. I just don't trust municipal water systems anymore and being extra cautious is not a bad thing these days. I've been in cities where they've shut down water for a few hours because of a "problem." I want to have the capacity to filter water from hotel room when I may not be able to boil (build a fire or run a cook stove).

They make a .1 filter for bigger bio critters but for a few bucks more I can go with their .02 system that is suppose to take care of virual as well as bio critters. I also carry a Steripen with me and a MSR pump filter when traveling...plus Iodine tablets so I'm well rounded in the event of an emergency. The bottle filter just seemed to fit nicely in my backpack I carry with me 24/7.

Thought maybe folks here might have experiences with Sawyer's products.
 
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Good stuff-- I have there bucket set up and many water bottles for back up-I way ways carry one of their bottles for my day hikes or over nighters
 
boness, thank you for the validation on my decision. I'm assuming your "good stuff" is a validation I'm making a wise investment.

From what I've read Sawyer is providing a lot of those bio/viral bucket systems to Haiti and other countries struggling with water related issues. If it will work for them then it ought to work for us if "heaven forbid" we experience something as catastrophic regardless if it is natural, unnatural, supernatural, or economic.

The bottle system I've been using is a SS Kleen Kanteen which I intended to boil to sterilize my drinking water. But the reality is finding fuel and a stove when traveling out of a suitcase is unrealistic in a disaster. I've been unsuccessful in carrying a fuel stove on flights and I cannot carry fuel and it is unrealistic to cache fuel at each of the sites I travel too. So, unless I purchase a Kelly Kettle or a Bush Buddy a traditional stove system is not realistic. So, this is another viable option besides my solar charged CR123 batteries SteriPen system.
 
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