'03 MSR Mini WorksVs. Katadyn Hiker Filt er

“What is the Skinny on these two filters ? Pro's and/or Con's
Thanks Tim”

“Good thread. I'd like to hear the opinions here.”

“Welcome to TT but you already know my opinion.”

“I've been using mine since 1988. I keep it clean and don't filter water I'll boil. It is a purifier - one that hasn't been recalled - perhaps the only one. 'Nuff said.”

“I have an MSR filter, and it is so slow I want to buy another brand. PUR filters seem to be pretty fast, so is PUR now Katadin? If so, I'm buying a Katadin. With my MSR, I have cleaned the ceramic filter, and it is not anywhere near needing a new cartidge, but it is so slow I can't believe it.”

“Katadyn bought PUR's hiking line. PUR still makes filters for home use.”

“Idaho Bob
Is it the 2002 model or 2003 model? The Galyan's store dude sez the 03 model pump a litre a minute. He was probably BSing me..haha.. I just bought it, I should give it a test run at home tonight.”

“I like the Exstream water purifiers. Faster than any other purifier or filter, reliable and no cleaning involved. Cheaper too.”

“I have the MSR and it is very slow. Although I knew that when I bought it. However, it is supposedly the most reliable from what I've read - never clogs, is made extremely well, easy to clean and take apart in the field, and very reliable against even viruses. Drawbacks - ceramic filter is fragile(don't drop it), it's slow, and one of the heavier filters(16 oz). Hell, even the Marines use them.”

“I do not like MSR for filters I do like the PUR filters and I have had there filters for 3 years now and have had no real problems.

Go with the PUR!

8)”

“I'm also a fan of the PUR. Fast light and easy to use.”

“Haha that figures--before I went out and got the new miniworks a majority of opinions seemed to indicate it over the pur. Now that I've actually got the MSR this thread pops up favoring Pur! Oh well. Slow I can deal with. Plus I've heard the MSR is field maintainable/repairable.”

“Hey, we're heading to the dominican Republic and want to bring our filter. I've lost the paperwork, how many microns is the Pur hiker good for?”

“.2


8)”

“I have the PUR (now Katadyn). Same filter, I bought a new Katadyn hiker filter recently and it fit my PUR perfectly. I've had it for about three years, have used it extensively, and it's performed great every time. I'd highly recommend it.”

“That will work for us, they recomend absolute 1 micron, so .2 does it...”

“monkeyboy - just my 2 cents worth for obtaining water in Central/South Americas. Firstly, If you're in town, make it easy on yourself and drink only bottled water and soda. If you use a glass, make sure it is dry and never use the ice. If you need to use the filter then think about definitely double filtering and also using iodine. It sounds like overkill, but most viruses are smaller than 0.2 microns.

Eat only cooked foods. Raw fruits and vegetables can be asking for trouble, not necessarily because the foods are bad, but the preparation of those foods involves washing with the normal tap water.

Finally, Ever since my first ordeal with "Montezuma's Revenge", I take Pepto-Bismal before every meal. Pepto-bismal will do two things for you, The bismuth will help kill any bugs you ingest and Pepto will also coat the lining of your stomach, helping to keep bugs from absorbing into the gut wall.”

“The Pur purifier was recalled. Everything but the First Need is a filter not a purifier. If you want to drink Third World water, you need a purifier for the viruses.

The MSR might be slow - I don't know, but a lot of people and Backpacker Magazine whined about the First Need being hard to pump. Get the First Need and pump some iron if you're too weak to pump the filter. Trust me. Trust Unca' Gremlin.”

“The First Need is EPA approved as a purifier. It's the only pump so designated.”

“Good Morning Sunshine !
I went home and tried my new 2003 (has Red Top piece) MSR miniworks ceramic filter. I put a coffee filter over the end with a twisty tie (someone told me that helps with a little extra filtration ?) So I dumped the end into the creek next to my place and started pumping. Approximate time to fill the attached one litre Nalgene bottle was about 1+ minute, It took a few pumps to prime it. Then it worked like a charm. I would say between the feedback I have recieved on this post and from folks out and about, that it is a toss up 50/50.... The Newer MSR is the Key the 2003 is better the 2002 (Blue Top) so they say.
I am just a Rookie (Newbie guy) so my opinion dont mean Squat ..haha
The trade off's are from what my Melon can determine (which aint much) is......
The MSR,
Pros:
one less hose.
a more contained/secure clean end, direct fill to bottle.
easy field maintainance.
filter lasts longer.
Cons:
About 5 oz heavier.
Costs about $10 more.
Ceramic filter can get broken if dropped.
Takes time to clean filter when it does clog up with scrubber.
May take an average of 1 minute longer to fill bottle.

Katadyn (Pur) Hiker,
Pros:
pumps a little faster
lighter in weight
costs less
cons:
extra hose
filter life shorter and can not clean filter

I am sure there are better and faster filters for a more money, but for the $60 range are these the 2 better, more available filters ?

My Nephew has the Pur and I have the MSR so I will see when we get out there which works better or if they are equal.

Thanks for the all the feedback.
I will post some other Rookie questions soon. Special Thanks to BBinkley.”

“Make sure you pump the water out of it when you are done and then take it apart to let it dry.”

“If you're worried about the water in third world countries, take some Aqua Mira and leave the hardware at home.”

“I have the PUR Scout and have had no problems with it. It pumps fast. I'd say about a quart or so a minute. I have pumped side by side with a guy who has a Sweetwater and I outpump him every time.

I bought a new filter but have yet to have to use it. I don't like the way it seems to have been soaked in iodine. Another guy bought a PUR after I got mine and I think between our purchases is when they started to really iodize them. His water tasted like #&%!$.

As to cleaning. I keep a toothbrush, with a cut off handle, and use it on the outside of the filter if I've been pumping in 'dirty' water. It seems to work, and is recommended in the instructions.

I've had it now for about 8 or 9 years with no breakdowns.”

“do ya gotta let it dry after every use or jus at the end of the trip when ya get home...read the manual and it sez take 3-5 days to dry completly....but is ok to just leave it when after filtering during your trip? OK i know this is probably a rel dumb ? but there is a grey area there..haha
I like "Gear sluts" name...haha
BB how is those MRE's tasting :-)”

“That's a good question snafu, I hadn't thought of that. I just got mine and haven't even got it out of the bag yet.”

“Bobo, good advice. The travel agent also told us some of the same. Use only bottled water, from the sealed bottle only. The pharmicist recomended no ice, or make sure the ice machines are properly filtered. He set us up with Pepto, rolaids, pepcid and immodium. We never needed them in Aruba, we were kinda oblivious to it all, ate plenty of fresh fruit. (They do have the worlds second largest desalinization plant, and the water was probably better than back home.)

The travel agent also recommended that we eat only fruit we peel.

I think I'll leave the filter at home, and drink from sealed bottles. What about those endless free alcoholic drinks???? I'm gonna check in on that real good. How is the water handled there, and the ice..... The pharmicist says he thinks it was the ice that got him. A buddy of mine was in china years ago, and there you had to take a clean napkin, even if it is dry, and completely wipe out your glass before pouring a drink in it.”

“let it dry out after the trip is what i do.”

“thanks bb”