Waterfilter

“okay, I have a tent, I have a bag, I think I have pretty much everything I'll need (after alot of trial and errors, and alot of waisted money). Anyway, a while back, way back then when I still didn't know what I was doing) I bought the pur waterfilter. Easy to use, but now I noticed that it does not remove viruses. Not sure how important that really is, but I think I would like to get one that does remove them. Found the MSR Waterworks EX. What do you think? good, not so good? worth it??

I know I've asked this question before, but I really forgot what to get. I have the order page in front of me, just need a couple opinions.

Thanks :)”

“It depends entirely upon what the risks are, in your intended area of usage.

For myself, the Pur Hiker has been excellent. I wouldn't change it, unless I was heading to a part of the world where virus is a concern”

“When I want to go lite, I just throw in some iodine tablets. Used them for a week up in Glacier NP. They don't work as well if the water's already murky.”

“so i guess I don't have to worry about any viruses here in the US? I heard so many opinions, some say you'll need to remove the viruses with some iodine, some say it doesn't matter. Always wondered because most of the filters do not remove a virus.

but hey...maybe not a bad idea lately, huh? :)

I guess I stick with the pur. I just want a good filter that doesn't make me sick.

Thanks :)

Oh, and I did search for water filters on this board, but most of the threads only refered to "how hard" is the filter to pump, how much water can you filter.etc... Wasn't able to find anything else.”

“i can't use the waterfilter and the iodine tablets? so first kill everything with the iodine, then run it through the filter. That wouldn't work?”

“Yes, that's basically what a purifier does. It has an iodine and charcoal prefilter. The charcoal helps, but you may still notice a bit of iodine taste, and they're typically slower than filters”

“Purifying with Iodine.
Iodine kills all sorts of bugs but water temperature is a key factor in how long it takes to do the killing. Recommended times for 40F is twice as long as 60F. with clear water 15 minutes is OK at 60F, but you need 30 minutes at 40F. Double these times if the water is cloudy.
Iodine is also considered more effective than swimming pool (Chlorine).

Given the contact time required and that the water is only in contact with the chemical in a purifyier for a few seconds before the charcoal filter inactivates the Iodine I have never bothered with a purifyier.

I just filter (PUR Hiker or Sweetwater Guardian) and add iodine or boil if I do not trust the source.

Of course in Winter, I just boil and filter through a bandana to get the big chunks out.”

“I use a Sweetwater filter for a while now, without the virus attachment. I've drunk water from the upper hudson river. I wouldn't use iodine (not good stuff) unless you're going to some third world country or drinking from a REALLY questionable water source.”

“Anyone use AquaMira to treat water?”

“Virii really arent much of a problem in the US. If you do want a filter that will handle them check out the first need purifier...”

“If Virii is not a problem I guess I'll stick with my pur for a while. Easy to work with. See, you all saved me around $130 right now. Thanks :)”

“2 words

Pur Hiker”

“Aquamira works well, is lighweight and has no bad taste. Just make sure you tighten the caps when you put it back in your pack or the bottles can leak. That happened to me, but that was my fault. Good product. I recommend it.”

“I think you're fine with just a standard Pur Hiker. Then again, I don't know if the water in your area is particulary nasty or something. But my Pur Hiker (standard filter, none of the fru fru) has worked very very well for me over the years up here in the northeast. Good luck.”

“Put this on the wrong thread the first time.

Why is iodine so bad?? Should I not be using it?”

“It's not bad that I know of, it just tastes icky.”

“I wouldn't use iodine (not good stuff) unless you're going to some third world country or drinking from a REALLY questionable water source."
catskhiker
02:58:26 PM
02/24/03

OK, catshiker has some explaining to do.”

“I have no idea. Where is that catshiker?!”

“woah, so there is a virii issue in the US. I bookmarked the water filter, but I think for now I will use my pur filter up until I run out of trails here in the east. (not saying that this could not happen here)

yeah, why is iodine so bad?”

“Some people are allergic to iodine, perhaps that's what he meant?

If you have an allergic reaction to shellfish, it pretty much means you're allergic to iodine.”