Topic: Water Filters

[pv74]

Normally, I boil any water I get out of a river or stream... That's what my father always did...and it works good...just best done in camp.
The only other thing we had growing up were those water purification tablets...(never got depserate enough to try those).

I have been told those new fangled water filters work OK...

I may finally pick one up (always water around somewhere in the mountains...so whay carry a lot of it).

So what's the deal with them?

How do I know when to change the filter?

Is the water that comes out as safe as boiled water?

How good is the one in the group buy?

[Jeff]

How do I know when to change the filter?

Usually when the pumping becomes too hard and the water flow diminishes.  Some allow for cleaning and the same applies.

Is the water that comes out as safe as boiled water?

Probably better.  If you don't boil long enough you can still have problems.  The junk in the water is filtered so your system doesn't have to do it.

How good is the one in the group buy?

It depends on which one.  The Pocket filter is one of the best available.  It has a cleanable filter and is good for about 12,000 gallons.  This is a real SHTF filter.  The Hiker Pro is maybe one of the best in it's classes (back packing).  It's light weight and the filters are good for about 2-300 gallons.  The Base Camp uses the Hiker Pro filter so it's good for about the same gallons.

Boiling is what I'd do if I had no other options.  The filter is way better IMHO.