Water Filters: HELP!!!

“I'm going to Oregon's Crater Lake, and on to Northern California's Lost Coast in a couple of weeks, and need to buy a water filter, like right now! Can anyone recommend a reliable filter, that's reasonably priced? My bank account is already hurting. Something lightweight is preferred, as my pack is alrady heavier than I would like it to be. I would also appreciate it if someone could tell me where I can order it online, & still get it in time for my trip. Most of the retailers in my area tend to mark things up ridiculously high, and most salepeople I talk to are of little or no help. Please help me! Thanks”

“There are lots of threads, thmpr. You can do a search for old threads. Try using the words purifer or filter and you can get a lot of information.

Personally, I have a First Need purifier and a PUR Scout. Good luck on your purchase.”

“Well I like the Sweetwater.....pumping is easier with this one for me.
Check out my website at http://www.zoesmountainsports.com use the toll free number and call us and we can give you the prices on these. We have the pur hiker also.
Barbara”

“Don't buy a sweetwater! Read up in past threads. Just type "Water Filter" into the "search for" box and check "all threads".”

“I have the MSR miniworks - reliable for long trips and easy to fix. Screws right on the Nalgene bottles.

BUT I've used the PUR Hiker before and it pumps easier.

Look up Backpacking Mags picks on their gear guide - just came out in March(?)”

“A lot of people complain about the Sweetwater. I've used mine without a single problem for 4 years now. Maybe it's the type of water being filtered? I dunno. I just know I've got no complaints.”

“I used a First Need for years. I now use a Pur Scout that I got because the Iodine matrix will kill just about everything nasty inlcuding viruses while the First Need was a filter only, adequate for most parasites, but still filtration only. I like the Pur design a lot. I like the float and weighted prefilter on the inlet tube. It helps keep the moss and sand out when you have to use it in shallow water or lakeside where the Pine pollen collects.

Does anyone know if PUR still makes cartridges for the Scout? Gear Pro lists them as not available.”

“I have the PUR hiker which I love for non-desert hiking and a MSR Miniworks II for desert hiking. I use the MSR in the desert for it's ease in cleaning due to the high sand/silt content of the water.”

“I remember now why I got the MSR Miniworks - we have a kid thats allergic to Iodine.”

“Bill F you're misinformed. The First Need is a purifier and filter. It is the only water filter that is certified to meet EPA's guide standard for Microbiological Purifiers against bacteria, cysts and viruses.

The sweetwater clogs up everyother pump. We do have some silty water in MI but even with prefiltering the water it took FOREVER to get a few gallons of water (45 minutes for two and a half gallons on average) That was even with frequent cleanings. Not to mention that I got SICK after using it! It's your kidneys use whatever you're comfortable with.”

“Campmor will get gear to your door before you've even logged off your computer! Check out their bargain deals
www.campmor .com”

“i think i have returned every item that i ordered through campmor. it's not quite quality stuff. their shipping is a rip-off, too.”

“In contrast, I love buying from Campmor. Their house brand items are sometimes incredible deals and they get the stuff to me in 3, sometimes 2, days. I buy there first.

I used a First Need for years and switched to a Hiker because of weight. Never any problems with either. I'm now testing the inline gravity filter setup but don't yet have enough confidence in it to take it alone into the bush. It is small and light!”

“Get a Pur Hiker and be done with it.

And let's not be bad mouthin' Campmor, son.”

“I believe in First Need AND Campmor. Use a purifier like FN if you are willing to sacrifice (some) ease of use for safety. Use something else if you're willing to sacrifice (some) safety for ease of use. You already know what I do.

Campmor service is absolute top drawer and I am speaking with experience with that firm since 1988. Happy trails.”

“I have never had a problem with my sweetwater and have never gotten sick.
So I guess that's why they make so many different kinds. To each his pick.”

“I have had thru hikers complain a lot that Sweetwater filters were hard to find. I have the PUR hiker and have had it now for a long time. we like it.”

“You cannot get cartridges for the PUR Scout. I have tried everything. PUR says that the Guide cartridge will fit but it is only a filter.

First Need is a purifier, also. I use the First Need and find the water is clearer and better tasting than the Scout. I really like the "T" handle and the way the Scout pumps better. I would never have replaced it if the cartridges were available. I'm glad I did, now.

I like campmor also. I've gotten some good stuff at good prices and when I've exchanged things, they didn't charge shipping on the second item.”

“When we were at REI today I picked up their water filter fact sheet. They rate them on purity, ease of use, output per pump etc. I was really surprised to see that the First Need deluxe is supposedly easier to pump than the PUR Voyaguer and Scout! Maybe the regular First need is the muscle builder ya'll claim it is. I grabbed the sheet to bring home but left it in the cart on accident. :^(”

“I think that I must have had an early First Need. It was definitely filtration only. When you differentiate between purifier and filter, what do you define as a "purifier"? PUR uses Iodine attached to a polymer matrix that releases very small amounts of iodine at a controlled rate as the water passes through it then passes the water through a filter and a charcoal cannister as I understand it. How does the First Need do the "purification" in the current model? The First Need that I had had the pump and cartridge separate and was a bit clumsy to use. I had no complaints otherwise with it. I just found the PUR Scout to be a better design and lighter.”

“Microns bill f. It's about microns.”

“The First Need deluxe is the only purifier that doesn't use chemicals. I'm not sure how it manages it. I got another copy of that sheet yesterday but I've left it in the car. I'll get it lator and check it out.”

“Actually it's the Trav-L-Pure by First Need too. They use a "Structured matrix micro-strainer"”

“I've been using an MSR for 10+ years. Little to complain about.

For water in the US and Canada there is little virus threat so the iodine matrix buys very little. 3rd world countries on the other hand -- iodine first then filter.

I chose the MSR because the filter element is easy to clean. Never a failure in the field. I am on my 3rd cartridge so have probably pumped close to 3000 liters. The direct attachment to nalgene bottles and MSR bladders means you can really get by with two hands.

If it ever became necessary, I would buy another.”