"I used this filter for an extended expedition in Central Asia. Due to the design you are able to pump contaminated water through the system if the O-ring fails (or falls out), which it did. The O-ring is located on the actual filter element, which you have to remove and wash repeatedly every few liters or so.
Essentially, without the O-ring, the water will circulate around the filter element. Since this happens internally, there is no way to catch this defect.
And personally, this particular design defect resulted in a severe case of Cholera, loss of 30 pounds in a week, and a near death situation in an already unforgiving locale.
This is not an isolated case, as I have talked to other individuals who have experienced the same malfunction. I'm sure the filter works well when it wants to, but in expedition situations - I personally demand more.
"
"I don't know if the Miniworks EX is different than the Miniworks. I have a Miniworks EX.
It's a great filter, easy to clean in the field, easy to use, works well, I trust it even with mucky cruddy bug and feces infested water.
Cons: it should come with more hose so that you don't have to hold it right there on your container. It should have adapters so that it can screw onto containers that aren't the standard nalgene cap size. I worry that the plastic pump handle could break.
Pros: screws right onto a nalgene bottle. little tool lets you know when to replace filter. Easy to clean! I got extra tubing and just attach it to the output and set my bladder way over there . . ."
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