MSR NEW WATER FILTER

“I thought this thread was about a water filter?”
Mocs123
8:28:47 PM
1/03/08

Welcome to Trailtalk. Don't expect any thread to stay on topic for very long.”

“Iodine tabs. Weigh nearly nothing, and they can't leak in your pack. Have been in use for a VERY long time, so you know they work when used properly.”

“got some but got a water filter too...use it more...”

“sounds good meangreen.....I used those many years ago, and yep they worked fine... I jumped to a higher level and wanted to be a gear slut. Thats why I use a filter. Iodine just got boring to me. I own Iodine , Micro Pur tablets, Aqua Mir, 3 msr water filters, I katadine filter, 2 Katadine bottle filters, and will be buying another very very soon. Drink your Iodine man.
last edited: 1/04/08 4:40:36 PM”

“The price for this bad boy is 99.95!”

“The first review is out with mixed results.
http://www.trailspace.com/news/2008/01/16/msr-hyperflow.html”

“Dang, busts in freezing temps? Well, there goes about 50% of my camping...”

“Rosey, don't filter in freezing temps - any filter will crack after. If you are worried about the source, boil.”

“I've never had a problem with the hiker freezing and cracking. I am pretty sure if froze solid before as well.”

“the "hyperflow" is the rate at which the cash exits your wallet when you buy it.”

“lmao... in that review... someone actually put:

Extremely aggressive pumping may provide additional flow...

if that was on tt it would be instant out of context thread material...”

“Jimmysan.......you sound unhappy.”

“This filter will be on the market within a week. So I have been told by 3 different retailers. Looks like there may be some pro and cons with this filter, but so there was when the Mini works hit the market.

I should have one in my possession within 2 weeks, and I will definetly put it to the test right away and if this filter sucks I will send it back.”

“After reading the instructions for it I am not sold on it now. Especially this note:
Never store Filter Cartridge in cold temperatures (below 32 F/0 C)
because freezing the filter will permanently damage the internal fibers.

Plus the only cleaning is backflushing so when it gets clogged you could be F**ked. It recommends carrying an extra filter cartridge for long trips.

http://www.msrgear.com/support/pdfs/08/wt/MSR_HFM_Pump_Inst_EN.pdf”

“yep, this information has been out there for 2 months now....I am still going to try it out. Then i will know for sure if this filter is better than my miniworks.”

“there are pros and cons with every water filter.

i have never had a problem with water freezing in my filter but i don't use filters anymore. uv water treatment is where it's at as far as i am concerned. filters are last-generation technology.

i look forward to reading your review fridge. you will be a lot more honest than the marketing pukes at msr and their boldface lies.”

“thanks Yogisan/ I am going to pump this little bugger for several gallons at home , then take it on one of the TT trips and show it to them and let them try it out then do some TT around the camp fire with an pen mind.. Then I will share my thoughts and either keep it or send it back.”

“Regarding the UV water treatment, how do you get rid of the floaties?”

“Good point Ductape/ I was backpacking with a group of TTers a couple years ago and raining. When it stopped we went for water along a small stream. Several TTers had chemicals and the Ultra Violet Steri Pen...I had an old MSR Miniworks.....They all ended up using my fiter. They could not get the mud ,murk look out of he water . I have done this for many of chemical users.”

“you drink them”

“...and for the record i don't believe for a second that that miniworks pumped more than .25 l of water before it started squeaking and clogged up.”

“I have never had a problem with my Mini works and I have replaced the Ceramic Filter 2 times, meaning I have pumped alot of water. I have owned the mini works for better than 8 years now.
last edited: 2/23/08 10:17:40 AM”

“I only ever had one problem with my miniworks, in Maine the water was so full of soluble wood fiber from decaying trees that the filter clogged every liter. All I had to do was scrub it clean. I guess that was better than drinking wood pulp. A paper filter would have been toast!”

““...and for the record i don't believe for a second that that miniworks pumped more than .25 l of water before it started squeaking and clogged up.”

Most mechanical things are only as good as the ability of the person using them.

I have a sweetwater and over the years heard all kinds of negatives about them. Me I haven't had a problem but once and it was my fault...of course it sucked because it was day 3 of a 9 day trip but another person shared the use of his filter for the rest of the trip so all was good.”

“sticks.....how many times have you pumped water for those who did not have a filter?”

“yeah, my miniworks sits here (i am looking at it now) totally unused for like 2 years. if the water isn't clean to begin with forget it. tannin-rich water is terrible (stained tea-colored). if you can get one liter/cleaning you are doing well. i laugh my azz off as i watch people pumping away on those things 'squeak squeak squeak'... the unit has a pressure safety valve and when the filter is clogged it prevents the pressure from cracking the unit... it does this by taking the water you just pumped into the chamber and pumps it back OUT inlet hose. the relief valve makes the "squeak" sound and all you get is perhaps 1 tablespoon of water.”

“There is a way around that problem. I go to dolly sods and can pump 7 to 8 gallons of water in a weekend without tannin problem. Anyone ever been to dolly sods WV knows all to well about Tannin. I'll be doing a Cranberry trip in June so sign up and I will show you a trick that will totally eliminate Tannin problems. Cranberry Glades has plenty of Tannin at almost all water sources in the Wilderness area and that's exactly where we are going....Called River Fording Trip.
This technique I have figured out myself and have never seen it done and I am not saying that no body knows of it,just saying I have never seen anyone use this technique.

One of the tricks of the Trade sort of. I usually don't give out all my tricks but will this one in action.”

“couldn't tell you how many times I pumped water for someone.

I use a couple of tricks. 1 is the siltstopper by sweetwater and the 2nd is a paper coffee filter over the prefilter in real bad water. I have filtered some skank water out west and never had a problem. keep the float set so your prefilter is held close to the surface helps too.”

“are you telling me you consider this summary of their water treatment technology fair, accurate, and sufficent to keep people well informed?

the thing is written by marketing person and a lawyer for crying out loud.

http://www.msrgear.com/support/watertreatment.asp#44”

“Yes sticks those are some good ones and there are 2 others I know of.”

“When will this sucker be on the market? Could be that the person who buys this may be a sucker too...hehehh...”

“I agree. I had tannins take out two of my filters in South America. Actually, really fine mtn stream silt can be really bad as well, no matter what tricks you employ. The tricks I have found include:

1. bucket, fill, add some alum to get coagulation, once the chunks settle, filter.
2. Deal with the chunks and just chemically treat.
3. Ceramic filters can do it, it just takes a long time and scrubbing the filter every 1/3 a liter.”

“MSR first said this filter would be out first of the Year 08...then said FEB... now says early Spring////I have taken a look at the PDF file they have on there web site about this filter and in my honest opinion...I don't see how this filter can be so great. There is no way to field clean this filter, only back flush it and when not in use for 15 days or more they say use a bleach flush >>>>The more I look into this filter the more i don't like it. here is some of the bad info...IMAO
Never store Filter Cartridge in cold temperatures (below 32 F/0 C)
because freezing the filter will permanently damage the internal fibers.
Always wash and dry filter parts.
Rinse check
val ves
3-4 strokes
Reverse Large
Check Val ve
Disinfect Filter
pump diluted
bleach solution
1. Connect open end of Inlet Hose to Inlet Hose Barb.
2. Unscrew the Clean Side Cover from the Pump Outlet.
Install Clean Side Cover onto Bottle Adapter Plug to prevent cross
contamination when filtering. (See Step 2 illustration.)
3. Place Pre-Filter (screen side down) in water.
If possible, avoid fast currents to prevent accidental loss of Pre-Filter.
4. Pump filter 3 to 4 strokes to prime pump assembly, flush Outlet Nipple,
and wet Pre-Filter.
The HyperFlow Microfilter is sold with a Quick Connect� Bottle Adapter, which
can be used with a variety of containers. To avoid cross contamination when
filtering water, MSR recommends several safe collection methods. (See Tips.)
1. Attach a clean container to Outlet Adapter or Outlet Nipple. (See Tips.)
2. Grasp the Pump Outlet firmly with one hand and the Pump Inlet with the
other hand.
3. Pump the filter to filter water (about 80 strokes/minute for optimal performance).
WARNING
When filtering water, never splash dirty or unfiltered water into clean
container to avoid contamination.
1. Remove Pre-Filter from water.
2. Pump filter to purge it of any remaining water.
3. Reattach Clean Side Cover to the Outlet Adapter.
4. Wind Inlet Hose around Pump Cylinder.
Wrap Pre-Filter Closure Strap around Pre-Filter and Inlet Hose to secure
pump assembly.
5. Place pump assembly in storage sack.
S tore Bottle Adapter in sack pocket.
After each trip and before long-term storage, backflush the Filter Cartridge.
(See Filter Cartridge Cleaning and Maintenance.)
The HyperFlow Microfilter requires regular cleaning and maintenance to function properly. Cleaning and maintenance depends on frequency of use and water quality.
The filter will gradually clog during use, especially when filtering water from glacial streams and cloudy or tea-colored water. For optimal long-term performance, backflush
the Filter Cartridge every 8 liters (1x/day of use) to prevent silt build-up and extend the filter�s lifespan. If flow rates stay below 1 liter/min. after backflushing, replace Filter
Cartridge to restore flow rates. Replacement parts can be found in the MSR� HyperFlow� Maintenance Kit, purchased separately from a local or online MSR dealer.
Backflushing the Filter Cartridge
Always perform backflushing in a controlled area to prevent the loss of small parts.
1. Collect � liter of filtered water into a clean MSR recommended container.
(See Tips.)
2. Remove Inlet Hose and unscrew Pump Inlet from Pump Cylinder. Do not pump
because trapped air will hamper operation. (See Troubleshooting.)
3. Reverse the Large Check Valve and reinstall it inside Pump Inlet.
4. Pull Pump Cylinder to end of stroke and turn until Piston locks.
U se cylinder to unscrew Piston from Filter Cartridge to reach Small Check
Valve.
5. Reverse the Small Check Valve and reinstall it inside Piston.
6. Thread Pump Cylinder (with Piston and reversed valve) carefully onto the Filter
Cartridge.
NOTE: Both tips of Large and Small Check Valves should point toward
the Pump Inlet.
Cleaning the Check Val ves
1. Unscrew Pump Inlet.
Gently pull the Large Check Valve to
remove it.
2. Unscrew Piston from Filter Cartridge.
Gently pull the Small Check Valve to
remove it.
3. Rinse all pump parts and Check Valves
thoroughly.
4. Press both Check Valves firmly back into
place and reassemble.
For forward flow, both valve tips should
point toward the Pump Outlet.
For backflushing, both valve tips should
point toward the Pump Inlet.
Cleaning the Pre-Filter
Rinse Pre-Filter in clean water and air dry.
Lubricating the Piston O-ring
1. Unscrew Pump Inlet from Pump Cylinder.
2. Slide Pump Cylinder toward Pump Outlet to
expose Piston O-ring.
3. Lubricate Piston O-ring and reassemble pump.

WARNING
Handle pump carefully because a damaged filter cannot prevent exposure
to harmful microorganisms. Always test filter for damage if dropped
outside of pump housing. Test filter for damage if pump is dropped 3 feet
(0.9 meter) or greater onto a hard surface. (See Filter Test Guide.) If filter
is damaged, discontinue use and replace Filter Cartridge.
When backflushing is completed, disassemble pump and reinstall the Large and Small
Check Valves in their original, forward flow position. Dry pump assembly and then
reassemble. CAUTION: Protect Filter Cartridge from accidental drops, which may
damage the filter.
To eliminate the growth of bacteria or mold, always disinfect the filter before or
after long-term storage, or after long-term use (15+ consecutive days).
1. Mix a solution of 2 drops of household bleach to 1 liter of water.
2. Remove Inlet Hose from Inlet Hose Barb.
3. Pump diluted bleach solution through filter.
4. Remove Pump Inlet from container.
Pump filter to purge it of any remaining solution.
Reattach Inlet Hose to Inlet Hose Barb.
5. Air or towel dry all pump assembly parts completely.
NOTE:The inside of the Filter Cartridge will not dry completely, but the
bleach in the solution will prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms.
6. Pack and store pump assembly in storage sack.
Attach Clean Side Cover onto Outlet Adapter.
WARNING
WARNING
Disinfect filter thoroughly before long-term storage to prevent the growth
of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Never use a dishwasher or microwave to
disinfect parts because the high heat will damage or melt them.”

“MSR = Marketing Science Research”

“refrigerator you suck”

“Yeah Fridge that was the reason for my post linking the user manual almost 2 weeks ago. The more I read the manual the more I was convinced that it was not worth buying. Especially not being able to field clean it, then not letting it freeze...my filter gets a soft freeze on trips from time to time.

MSR is just throwing another piece of gear out there like the Miox.

They are not getting my money on this one either.”

“I'm going to buy it anyway from REI. They said I could return it if i didn't like the product. I aslo just ordered my 3rd ceramic filter for my Mini Works. I bought it when it first hit the market so i have one of the first ones out there still being used. Sticks, I noticed on several trips that your filter has some age on it as well.”

“i used to do stuff like that until i talked to a manager at rei. when people return stuff rei generally has to eat it. i like rei so much more than these gear vendors (especially MSR) it's not even funny. rei has taken very good care of me over the years.

i bought a pair of boots (sundowner summits) that SUCKED as they started to come apart after one season of hiking. i thought about taking them back to rei but i asked the store manager and he said they would gladly give me me my money back (on a pair of 1 year old worn boots!) but when i pressed him if they were going to send the crappy boots back to red wing he said that no, they didn't do that. so i kept the boots and sent them to red wing for replacement under warranty... it actually was just under a year... and then once replace took the NEW boots back to rei. i got my money back, rei got new boots to put back on the shelf, and the red wing shoe company got nothing.

i have had people actually BRAG about how when they need something for a trip they will get it at rei, use it, and then return it. oh well, it takes all kids and i am sure.”

“I e mailed MSR and they said the distributor would take the return so I called REI and they said they would kindly do so. I have been a member with REI when they first opened ther first store and worked out of a basement and have seen them totally grow into one of the biggest outdoor coops out there. That's why they have exceled with growth is the fact of customer satisfaction period.”

“yeah, when they say no hassle they mean it. you could pump latex paint throught the thing, say you weren't happy with it, and they prolly would take it back.”

“I like this filter. Easy too use fast and light weight. I was on a 2 day work related trip with several folks using Aqua Mira, and Micro Pur as well as the ole MSR mini works.
I had 2 1/2 gallons pumped and ready before any of them had there needed supply for the day. As for field cleaning, it's simple to back flush and stow away.”

“Thanks for the gear report.


I am going to be replacing my Pur (yeah it's that old) hiker soon and I am looking at options.”

“have you weighed it?”

“Pump itself weighs in at 7.5 and with the kit at 10.4

By my scales.”

“Damn Fridge...I am disappointed...I didn't think you weighed anything.

I haven't weighed a single piece of gear I own.”

“...in all fairness to fridgy i did ask him what it weighed. is the entire kit required?”

“Yogisan, you don't need the entire kit if using the MSR bags.”

“If I remember correctly it attaches to wide mouth nalgenes...correct?”

“so 8 oz would be a fair "stripped down" weight?”

“sticks, you will need to use the kit for Nalgene and yogisan, 8 oz is good.”