what one would you choose

looking at these two water purifiers. I normally just use polar pure but I want a filtration system. these are the two im looking at and wondering out of these two which one would you choose?

http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-prod...adyn-vario-usa/

or this one

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-trea...ofilter/product

The MSR Miniworks. I've used both, but I prefer the comparative simplicity and the ability to easily field-clean the Miniworks. I've had no problems in a fair amount of use; I never had any problems with the Vario, but never used it a lot. They work a lot the same; I'd just choose the Miniworks, personally. (I do, however, have a fairly strong bias toward MSR gear; that may also be part of the reason. That bias is based on a lot of problem-free use of MSR gear in general.)

thanks glenn. also had someone else suggest the msr when comparing the two.

I have to second the miniworks one sweet bomber peice of gear

Neither. If I were buying a filter today it would probably be a katydyn hiker pro - it will save you 150 grams of weight over either of those two.

I own an MSR miniworks. I never take it anywhere, it's heavy, and will clog up without babying.

There are filters lighter than the katydyn (the new hyperflow and the like made by msr) but they have filter elements that are damaged by freezing, and I can't have that where I typically hike.


I generally do not filter - I use chlorine dioxide treatement instead (aquamira) - lighter and faster.

How is aquamira faster? You have to wait 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on what you are trying to kill.

For groups I use a Hiker Pro and can fill a 3 liter bladder in just a few minutes then immediately drink. For solo, I use a sawyer filter in a bottle. Dip the bottle, insert filter and drink.

Pretty easy to make a gravity filter. Mine is 5.5 oz. Using chemicals, I'd have to carry an extra quart of water for several hours while the pills work. With the filter (and, obviously frequent water sources!), I have to carry only a pint of water at a time. In other words, using the filter I have 2 lbs. less water to carry. Assuming the worst scenario of a soggy wet filter at about 8 oz., I'm still saving 1.5 lbs. by using the filter! With a gravity filter, I don't have to put my back out standing over the water source pumping--just scoop up the water and let it drip!

Note that aquamira liquid is not strong enough to kill protozoa cysts (giardia and crypto)--you need a higher concentration and longer treatment time than the label states (note that the label mentions only bacteria and viruses). If you haven't gotten sick when using it, either your water sources are pristine or you've developed an immunity to giardia.

I remember a while back seeing a water bottle with a integrated filter in the cap. Just fill it up and go!

Too bad I cant remember the name of it - nor find it on the internet with a quick search.

Anyone know what I am talking about/maybe have tried it?

These?
http://www.filtersfast.com/Katadyn-ExStr...xstream%20Olive

I've used it. Works well.

"Not strong enough" at default treatment time, yes, but it's another one of those experience things --- because as you go on to say, it is strong enough with sufficient treatment time. Personally, I treat my water overnight when I can, and assess the water source when I cannot; if it's suspect, then indeed increase treatment time and possibly dosage.

For my trip this coming year I expect to run into a few sketchy water sources, and so plan to carry a very light inline filter to augment my default aqua mira liquid treatment (filter then chemically treat). The right approach varies, I think, based on anticipated conditions.

Ditto the trade-off in weight of using a filter vs. chemicals, it depends very much on how close or spaced out your water sources are. Sounds like where you are, water sources are pretty close together. A number of other factors also adjust the calculation, including whether you tend to drink more or less than the average, how hot and dry the ambient conditions (which impact how much you drink), and how difficult the terrain/slope is (ditto). My point here is that the weight-optimal solution isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.

FWIW, you might consider weighing your water filter when put away wet --- 5.5 oz dry is fine when first starting your trip, but after that it will weigh a bit more (obviously not the dominant factor however ...).

Yup that is the water bottle. Looking at it again on the net makes me wanna get one again xP