Hydro Photon SteriPEN Classic Handheld Water Purifier

I spent a month in Uganda drinking from a mud hole. Given, I needed a Sweetwater to purify the muck out (so that the Steripen could work properly). I give it full credit for me not becoming dead, or worse! ;) Actually I never even got sick. Trust it! It works!

I used this pen up in the Swiss alps on glacial water and didn't have to worry about getting sick the water tasted great....didn't have to worry about chlorine taste in order to kill off bacteria and viruses. I'm pretty sure its probably a bit larger than the newer models but the price was a plus, and I didn't have to spend loads of money to get great results. I'm going to be sure to bring this on every trip of mine...

When the water already *looks* clean, but you know there are *things* living it, reach for the SteriPEN. It's small, easy to use, effective and doesn't change the taste of fresh mountain stream water. (Just make sure you have spare batteries, just in case!)

I spent four days in the backcountry with the SteriPen and if the proof is in the pudding, then this method of treating water passes with flying colors; no one got sick. There are really two reasons I gravitated toward the SteriPen: 1) size/weight; 2) shelf-life. The first speaks for itself; the SteriPen is lighter and packs smaller than a filter. As for the second, perhaps a little history is in order. It's been about ten years since my last backpacking trip (kids, new jobs, plenty of distractions...). Back then, I had one of the top-rated filters out there, the Pur Scout. When I was planning for my latest trip back into the wild, I wondered about whether my filter would be OK after years and years of storage. So I figured I'd buy a new cartridge, just to be safe. Of course, I came to find out that Pur got out of the hiking filter business, which they appear to have sold to Katadyn. Katadyn sells a filter that seems to fit the Scout, but it's a bit different (no iodine resin?). This all gets me thinking: will a filter purchased today be "serviceable" ten years from now? Designs change all the time. How long will replacement cartridges be available? Given that uncertainty, the SteriPen was attractive. After ten years of storage, there won't be any doubt about the soundness of the SteriPen's functionality (like there would be with a paper or ceramic cartridge filter). Either the light will turn on (and I'll know it works) or it won't. No "well the cartridge seems OK, but it's hard to say..." and then the inability to buy a new cartridge. I like the certainty the SteriPen promises in this regard. So back to the SteriPen itself. I used the pre-filter and the pour-through method. The sequence is a bit tedious, but after a few times, it's no big deal. Short cuts, including the submersion method, would no doubt cut some steps and make things quicker. When it comes to treating water, I'm pretty anal, since the price for sloppiness can be pretty steep. Your threshold might be different than mine. One of my backpacking partners brought his brand new ceramic filter on our trip as well and after one day of filtering, his filter was reduced to a trickle and thus required cleaning. There are two points to make here: 1) there's none of that nonsense with the SteriPen (a good thing); 2) with the SteriPen you don't "filter" the water, so you drink the "minerals" (an indifferent thing, but a difference for sure). My only niggle with the SteriPen has to do with the pre-filter, the threads for which might be a little "soft." Mine got buggered up right away (maybe I overtightened it--which is definitely possible--or cross-threaded it). Not a huge deal--it still works fine--but a little better (over)engineering might make the pre-filter idiot-proof. I gave the SteriPen a four star rating simply because I have only one backcountry experience with it. In reality, it's probably a five-star product. Don't hesitate to pick one up for your next backcountry excursion.

This is light and works perfectly. I used it for a two and a half week trip with no replacement batteries required, purifying around six liters each day. I had no problems with any sickness (with I suppose would be the only way to tell if it really works or not). As long as you have a container big enough (at the opening and to submerge the whole light) it is an excellent buy.

If you're backpacking or camping where you have an infinite supply of water (therefore don't need to carry all your water with you), this is a must have. I used it for a week-long trip in the Boundary Waters along w/ the pre-filter (attaches to Nalgene bottles only - the threads are very specific). No problems the entire week. Brought extra batteries but never needed them.

It may be hard to believe that stirring a UV light in some water will purify it and there really is no signs that it is doing its job but I must say that while i have used this pen i have never had an health issues from drinking water treated with this pen. It is very easy to use, light, compact and doesn't effect the taste of the water. I did however have an issue with it when it refused start. Instructions suggested drying it out and an hour or so in the sun seemed to fix the problem that never returned. You can also buy a filter/steripen bracket that screws into the top of a nalgene bottle that is very handy in water that has 'bits' in it.

I used a different model called the Adventurer which I bought here and used it for a month in Tanzania. I experienced no quick weight loss programs or visits to foreign medical facilities. It was a comfort knowing that it is thorough and close to being 100% foolproof, it is also very quick and convenient. I recommend it for use on any clear water source (not recommended for cloudy water without pre-filtering.)

I've used this for camping trips but also took it to India. It's very portable and it was reassuring to have something in my bag at all times that is effective, incredibly easy to use, and leaves no after-taste. I used it every day for over 2 weeks and did not need to change the batteries.

There is really no thinking involved with this product. It is the most user friendly device I have ever used. Just make sure you have charged batteries before the trip, get some water, push a button and stir to sterilize. There is a light that lets you know when it is sterile. It can't get any easier. It is a little heavy but there is no sour after taste like there is with sterilizing tablets.