MSR MiniWorks Ex Ceramic Water Filter

It took some experimentation to keep this filter running optimally. I recommend you pick one up, and if you do - read the manual and follow it to the T. I was camping and on the first day I pumped a few gallons of water perfectly. The second day a heavy rain turned the clear stream muddy, the filter had to be cleaned after every liter to keep it working right. It's quick and easy to do, and if you buy this filter I'd get in the habit of cleaning it frequently and boiling it when you get home.

I've had this pump a couple weeks now. Easy to operate, comes with user manual. I did quite a bit of online research before choosing this pump and was concerned about several negative reviews concerning o-ring failure and the pump literally breaking after become very hard to pump. However after owning and using this pump, the only thing I can attribute the negative reviews to is either failure to clean this pump properly which would cause the filter to clog over time, and yes I can see if you tried to force water thru a clogged filter how it would break; and regarding O-ring failure, I just pay attention during reassembly and check to make sure the O-ring isn't leaking when pumping. Thats my take on this little pump. I also read how the ceramic element was very fragile and would break easily. So far I haven't experienced anything to justify this claim. The only time I handle it is when cleaning or boiling it. While I believe that being made of ceramic if you dropped it it might very break, the simple solution for me though is not to drop it. lol... All in all I think it's great little filter.

Bought this water filter for a week-long trip to Minnesota's Boundary Waters. This product was an indispensable item. Didn't get sick, always had water, the water tasted fine. I figure you can carry all your water or pump. For a whole week in the Boundary Waters? I'll pump. The minimal cleaning necessary wasn't bothersome- quick and easy. The unit did fine and didn't have a single problem with it. What a champ! When not in the outdoors, I keep it in a 72-hour emergency kit just in case. Well worth the cost for clean water.

Well, if you're looking for an arm work out, this is it! I just returned from a section on the AT and shared this pump with a friend. Many thru-hikers we met also used this pump and were satisfied with it. It works. However, this thing is much heavier than chemicals or a steripen and is a ton of work. Expect to have to clean it often (at least once a day, especially if you're sharing with a friend). And most importantly, be prepared to pump pump pump! Whew! I'm getting steripen.

If you need a filter that's going to last you for years and you're going to be in conditions where there's a lot of dirty water, I recommend this water filter. I've used the Katadyn Guide, which works great if you have clean water sources, but you're up a creek if it gets clogged. I like the way the Miniworks is field maintainable and that you can clean it when the pumping slows. This is a sturdy, reliable, and easy-to-use filter that will last you years.

I was using my fairly new pump in Algonquin Park this past summer. I noticed it was developing a lot of pressure, to the extent that water was shooting out of the relief hole near the threads. I continued pumping and boom, the pump head blew up!. It cracked and literally exploded under the pressure. The pump was assembled correctly and the filter was super clean, so I'm not sure if I was pumping too fast or what. The instruction say to pump 70 - 80 strokes per minute, which I find it hard to believe anyone could pump that quickly without it exploding under the pressure. I contacted MSR, and the rep told me it could only be from a dirty filter or clogged umbrella valve. Neither was the case so I am baffled. I sent the pump head back and MSR sent me a new one out within two weeks, so kudos to MSR on that front. I will be using the filter again extensively soon, so I hope I don't encounter tha same problem. I have read so many reviews that state this thing is nearly bombproof, that it makes me wonder if something was wrong with mine from the factory. Nonetheless, it is a great filter, just be careful not to create too much pressure while pumping.

I take groups of 9 canoeing in the BWCAW in northern MN each summer. I bought this filter as an addition to the Sweetwater filters I've used in the past. The ability to attach directly to a Nalgene is very useful when filling water bottles while in a canoe or wading into a lake. The filter rate is good for about 2 liters of water however even with clean water from mid-lake, it requires cleaning every 2-3 liters. A pre-filter such as the Sweetwater Silt Stopper may help this significantly. Overall, a great filter. Easy to use and clean. For groups though, be sure and take a couple along as filtering for 9 can take a lot of effort especially on a hot day.

Well, you know it's nice to have that grizzly adams/yule gibbons-I don't need no stinkin water filter to live in the woods-mentality about you...but also a little dangerous. In Sierras ran into guy that had to be heli-vaced out and spent 3 weeks in hospital. "I didn't know the cows could go that high" was his vacant response...NOW YOU KNOW. Don't leave home without it.

The "Ex" model really is an improvement over the original. As promised, you get more water with less effort. The build quality is unchanged. The field maintainability is slightly improved - there is one less gasket to worry about.

I have used this water filter on numerous occasions in many environments. I have used it in the glacial rivers of AK, which have a lot of very fine sediment. I have also used it in many mountain lakes and slow to fast moving rivers. It needs to be cleaned more frequently when used in silty rivers, but does a great job. When used in lakes or clear streams it needs very little field maintenance. this filter is lightweight and very easy to use it is threaded to screw directly onto a Nalgene water bottle size thread. The only draw back is the 1 ounce per pump fill rate, but who is in that big of a hurry when you are remote enough to need a filtration system. This little filter has made it possible for me to get to some very remote places without having the extra weight of water to worry about. I would recommend this for any one, over pills or UV devices. Bottom line easy to use, easy to clean, small, and I've never in three years of use gotten sick because of contaminated water.