Sweetwater Guardian

“Since I picked-up the SWG in a battered box several Septembers ago at The Sports Authority for $6.97, I have experienced pump problems for which Cascade Design has replaced the pump element twice (I held on to it for so long because, unwisely, I figured that I got the unit so cheaply, so I invested in a second filter element for $30). Once I attempted to filter water from an "artesian well" 4 mi. into the 7-mile wilderness on Fire I., NY. Deposits around the water showed it to be high in ferrous oxide and hydorogen sulfide (phew!). The first liter or so went through fine. Then the pump snapped. I boiled somma that water and farted rotten eggs for a week after.

Recently I busted ("Yo' Mis-tah, Busta Rhyme!")the prefilter. I suppose it was mishandling due to freeze-up frustration on a wickedly cold morning. But I've been thinkin' that I've had my share of problems with the thing.

OK, so prefilters need replacement. I called around and the only place that had 'em in stock locally was at Campmor in NJ, and I didn't feel like drivin' the hellacious traffic (twenty-five mi.)of the Cross Bronx Epwy., etc... to get there, especially since recent snows and freeze-thaw cycles have pock-marked the local roads so badly that if the potholes were any bigger, we'd have homeless livin' in 'em. Anyway, the only place to MAIL ORDER a replacement prefilter was Summithouse.com (Campmor has 'em in the store, but not by mail or e-mail order...By the way scored an excellent winter bag for cheap there rcently, but that's another story).

Well, it took long enough (ordered 2/28), but I just received the diminutive package (signed for it UPS), and guess what? They sent me the WRONG PART (sent me the Silt-Stopper, an accesory, inadvertantly). Called 'em immediately and guess what? They're sendin' me out a pre-filter (even though it was otherwise a very small order)by overnight UPS... and I can keep the Silt-Stopper. I was dismayed initially, but impressed by this righteous handling of the matter. In short, I've really got no choice but to stick with the SWG for awhile: Yet I'm secretly envious of a buddy's PUR filter.”

“I have a Sweetwater filter and although it hasn't seen more than 10 gallons through it yet I didn't have any problems so far. I read a lot of reviews about it on the internet and I've heard of others that had the pump break too. After seeing this I've always tried to pump it slow and steady to minimize stress on it. I tried Aquamira's water purification system this winter and it works well. It's relatively cheap, ultralight, simple to use, doesn't break or freeze up, doesn't taste bad and kills the cooties. What more would you need?”

“I had a Sweetwater Walkabout and it yoyally sucked too. I replaced the cartridge thinking I just had a dud at first and it was clogging by my 3rd trip out. I said f*ck it and bought a PUR Hiker.
Sweetwater Filters are for sh!t. Don't buy one!”

“Finally some truth about these pieces of crap! Too awkward too pump constantly clogs,filters too slowly and you get no where near the volume per cartrigde they say. even in clear water.”

“Those b@stards shouldn't even be in putting that sh!t on the market!”

“LOve Mine have used it all the time and have had great results ...never a problem after what I really think I'm doing...getting water from a source I can not ever put my lips in..all aside ..has worked for us and will be on my back anywhere I go in the states”

“I have the Guardian and it works well for me. It is slower then my old First Need but it is lighter.

Maybe there was a reason your filter only cost $6.97?”

“I like my Sweetwater. It is SOOO much easier to pump than that 1st Need! Yes, I get squirted every once in a while. But, that just tells me I need to brush the filter.”

“Does anyone know what the deal is with the PUR Hiker's no longer meeting EPA requirements now that they've upped the standards a bit??? Heard a smidgeon if something like that at the local outfitter the other day. The above is all those folks knew.”

“Maybe my sweetwater was screwed up from the manufacturer. I can filter a quart of water with my first need in less than a minute, my sweetwater took much much longer. The first need is also a purifier while the sweetwater is a filter,even with the viral guard. Anyway to each his own though after Joy got something from the water on our honeymoon, I will never use a sweetwater again, i'd boil first.”

“Oh, forgot to mention, I've the Timberline. LOVE IT! But....................... it does not filter out E. coli.

Anybidy thirsty??”

“I had a sweetwater too and it sucked too. Replaced the filter thinking maybe I had a dud but no. After about a liter the things starts to clog and the pump spurts water back in your face. Forget it.

Replaced it with the MSR. I LOVE IT. Easy to use, easy to maintain. I highly recommend the MSR. (The PUR is also supposed to be very good. I also give high marks to the First Need; I had one before the Sweetwater and it lasted better than 15 years with no problem, but I couldn't deal with the pumping mechanism any longer.)”

“Hey, if'n y'all can get thru alla the platitudinous verbosity in yesterday's msg., I said that Summithut.com was sendin' me a prefilter, express due to their messup. Well, it came here on East Coast by 11 a.m. Fed-Ex. Howzat? I didn't even call 'em in AZ yesterday till 5:30 p.m. EDT. Great karmic atonement for the original mishap. An' I'm gonna get sommore mileage outta my SWG...But they still suck!”

“PUR Hiker RULES!”

“Amen!”

“Sweet water changed the design a few years back so that if the pressure gets to high it has a relief. If you had a pump without that it may have cause the problems.”