Steripen Water Purification System - a quick product review

[Brian in Montana]

I've used a basic Katadyn Hiker Pro for a lot of years, but the filter cartridge got clogged up, so about a year ago Holly and I went to REI to get a replacement. Holly, being far more techie than me, talked me into trying a Steripen. It seemed like an interesting device, takes 4 AA batteries, uses UV light to kill microorganisms in your water, it's compact and light weight. The next weekend she and I hiked into an alpine lake, about an 8-mile hike. We got there thirsty, of course, and we couldn't get the Steripen to work. It apparently broke somewhere between the house and the lake, but I don't remember dropping it or anything. We drank lake water for 2 days and fortunately didn't get giardia. When we got home, REI graciously replaced it.

Other than twice having dead batteries and no extras with me, it basically worked for a year. Then last weekend, I replaced the batteries and then couldn't get it to work. Then I realized it was getting very hot. I unscrewed the cap for the battery compartment and smoke was curling out of it. So anyway, I'm done with it, going back to a simple filter. I realized that even when it was working, I wound up drinking more unpurified water than ever before. Not having extra batteries in my pack in on me, but still, I don't think I really care to have to worry about that.

Anyway, I don't know if my experience w/ the Steripen is common or not, but it I simply don't have any confidence in the product. Just putting it out there. In my opinion, there are other systems for water purification that are simpler and more reliable.

Anybody have a better experience with it?

 

[Ben Long]

I've been using my Steripen for three years now and it has always worked like a charm. If I were going on an extended backcountry trip I would use a filter, because I don't trust anything that needs batteries. But for day hikes and long weekends, Steripen saves me weight and hassle. I do make sure to store it with batteries out during off season.

 

[Schism]

I have been using the Katadyn hiker filter for a few years with good results but am looking to shave some weight and space in my pack. In my research it seems most are happy with the Steripen and even use it on extended trips with no backup. Many reviewers have said that the "classic" model is the best and most robust version as the others seem to have a higher failure rate.

Threads like this one is why I am still on the fence about purchasing a Steripen.

Brian (and others) would you please share which model(s) you are using?

 

[whiskeydog]

Stay with a filter and cut weight at the same time...get a Sawyer

 

[Bambistew]

I've been currious about these as well. Just couldn't trust purification to an electronic device.

I've been using gravity filters for a while, and only one time was a let down due to a clogged filter. It still worked, but was painfully slow. I now pack two small Sawyer Mini Squeeze filters, but have them set up with a hose for gravity filtration. They will filter about 0.5l a minute or so.

 

[jzeck2]

As an environmental microbiologist and certified water operations specialist, I can tell you scientifically I trust the steripen (its pretty much idiot proof) way more for inactivation of cryptosporidium and viruses than the aquamira (have to mix the chemical, add to water & wait the appropriate time). The filters (all that I am aware of for hunting/backpacking) do not filter out viruses, if you ever allow them to freeze consider them destroyed, since you probably ruptured the membrane fibers destroying there ability to filter properly. Also cold water does not effect the performance of UV as it does the chemical disinfectants.

I have two the first one I got used the 4 triple A batteries and still works after 6 years, the problem with the alkaline batteries is you need to make sure you remove them so they don't corrode and destroy the unit. The second one is an adventurer and uses the CR123 battery and works extremely well over the last 3 years, I carry it all the time.

2 years ago I was camping with some bodies and they were not believers. We were camping downstream from a cattle herd in the national forest (less than a quarter mile away). Cattle were wading in the stream all the time. I used the stream water exclusively for 3 days for drinking using only the explorer with no adverse health effects. Not sure I changed many minds in the group, but I am certainly a believer.

By the way, I never count exclusively on anything that uses a battery so I always have aquamira tablets (4 hour treatment time) or drops (15 minute treatment ti, or now I carry a sawyer mini filter along with the steripen as a backup even with the issues that I mentioned earlier.

 

[dcopas78]

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/backcountry_water_treatment.html

Crypto ain't no joke. I had a run in with it once and thought I was going to die

Side note: UV is highly suspect in turbid environments and it's effectiveness is greatly reduced in water with some suspended material (>10mg/L suspended solids)

In other words, make sure your water is pretty clear

 

[MJE2083]

I bought one a few years ago and I have had zero problems with it, except one time I took it out with dead batteries(my fault). I have a model that's a few years old, I don't think they even make it anymore. Mine has the water sensors so it won't turn on unless its in in the water. Mine also takes 2- CR123 batteries and has the digital "go-no go display. My wife was skeptical about it at first, but she has since turned around on it. I had read some poor reviews prior to purchasing mine, but since most of the negative reviews that I encountered were old I figured the problems had been fixed. I like it because it's so simple to use and fast. I can go on a hike and don't have to carry a ton of water. It works well for my purposes and I've never had to drink out of a turbid water source. I do understand being leary about anything that needs batteries and I usually make sure to check mine before venturing out. I also remove the batteries whenever I store it.

My only complaint is getting something to pre-filter larger debris. I know that steripen makes a pre-filter thing but it seems too big and bulky for my needs and seems to be designed for use with a nalgene type bottle. I prefer to use mine with a normal 1/2 lt plastic bottled water, bottle because it's so light weight. I've thought about even making my own prefilter where I would cut a large hole in the lid of a water bottle and then glue in a small piece of mesh filter just to take out larger sediment and stuff. I've tried using a paper coffee filter or a cloth over the mouth of the bottle, but it was too slow to fill IMO.

 

[greatwhitebuffalo]

I've used mine for several years with good results. Then again, I've always used pretty clean water as well. I guess that no system is foolproof. But, goes with the turf....

 

[Brian in Montana]

Mine is a "Classic 3".

I'm glad it seems to work for others but I guess I'm just over it. Just posting my own experience with the product.

 

[TheSurveyor]

I've had one for 3yrs and love it. It's yet to give trouble but I do have a tiny bottle of tablets just in case. I use the high dollar lithiums and they seem to last forever. I have extra batteries anyway for the flash light and head lamp all of which is AAA. So a few extras and they are all compatible.

 

[Brian in Montana]

One more thing I'll admit, I tend to have trouble with any technology more advanced than a bolt action rifle.

 

[TLowell02]

I, too, use the Adventurer and love it. Other than learning the process the first time out it has worked flawlessly for four years. It is far easier to use than the MSR Hyperflow I used previously which would clog in even the clearest water and become a monster pain to use.

 

[homers]

I started with the Katadyn Hiker Pro,then bought a Steripen and most recently use a Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System - 2 Liter. Got tired of pumping and the gravity fed system weighs about the same and works very well for me. I don't trust the Steripen because of batteries (mine didn't last long) and I didn't like drinking non filter pieces. The Platypus is the best. Clean, quick, and low maintenance (just a quick back flush).

 

[AlaskaHunter]

Stay with a filter and cut weight at the same time...get a Sawyer

I threw my Sawyer away...with a nickle size opening I found it impractical for filtering water out of shallow seeps
sheep hunting in Alaska.

I've used a Steripen, which worked OK, but failed in glacial water which is all I could get on a Dall Sheep hunt.
Steripens work fine if you have access to crystal clear water, otherwise they are marginal.

I prefer Katadyn filters with a hose that can be used in shallow seeps, especially in sheep country.

My favorite for moose camp is Katadyn's base camp gravity system...filter while you hunt!

 

[Epfd217]

I think one of the best things to come along is the ability to backflush the membrane filters from Sawyer. Since that came along, I've never been without filtered water.

Sawyer squeeze works awesome in nearly ever situation. Only time they are lacking is when working from a seep. I use a hybrid of the squeeze and filter systems. Its worked well and I love it.

To @AlaskaHunter, I got tired of replacing the Hiker filter in the Katadyn base camp, so I followed some instructions online and converted it to use a sawyer filter. Now I can backflush the Sawyer and I've used the same filter for years.