Preacher wrote on Apr 9^th, 2012 at 5:30pm:

It gives my kids something to do . . . and sometimes they NEED something to do.  Don't know whether they like it, though it brings me a grin. 

-YB

Spartan2 wrote on Apr 7^th, 2012 at 1:19pm:


I had to scroll up to see!  +1 to what he says about being content with what you have.  If it ain't politics we likely agree.

These days anyone who's looking to buy a new pump should just go gravity imo.  The costs are comparable.

A minute or two to hang is an exaggeration?  30 seconds would be an exaggeration.

It also takes seconds to clean a gravity filter.  Just turn the bottle upside down, disconnect the filter from the bag, let gravity clean the filter.  The MSR benefits from being back-flushed every 12L or so.  To compare with my MSR Miniworks which needed cleaning every 6L depending on floaters.

I do know a couple people who actually like pumping.  Sitting by the water lost in thought & pump.  More power to 'em!  Here, have my empties and think some more!   

" My brothers call that mechanical pepper.  When you stick your finger in the water they all move away from it and leave a 1 inch clear area around your finger. I have never seen those more than a few feet away from shore."

see!  told ya that deet works



As far as filter life goes, especially for Quetico where there is usually a lot of pollen in the water when I go, I wrap a coffee filter around the inlet hose, which helps extend the filter life a lot for a pump filter.

I used a Katahdyn gravity filter last year (wrote a review of it on here) - after about day 6 it started running slow, and slowed up to a dribble by day 8 ot thereabluts, so I used both the gravity filter and the pump after day 8 (or maybe it was day 9).  The Katahdyn gravity filter setup allows access to the filter element, and I had wrapped a single coffee filter around it, but it really needed two coffee filters to cover completely, and that's what I'd do next time I bring it.

I'd take both I think, or at least take Iodine tablets or some other chemical treatment as a backup.  I didn't have any issue with needing to pump during the day (travel every day but one) as I'd bring an extra liter of filtered water along with me - carry the extra weight rather than take time to filter during travel. 

That would be for two people (it is nice to have the water filtering for you while setting up camp).  Solo, I'll just stick with my pump filter, as I only need about a gallon and a half per day at camp, and I don't find it to be that big a chore to sit down for a few minutes and pump the filter.  In part, that is due to having a system to make it as easy as possible - I get the water from the lake in a nylon bucket, and pump out of there from a comfortable seat on a log or rock, sitting on a pad.  gave up filtering directly out of the lake a long time ago as being awkward and uncomfortable.

It is interesting to hear people's comments about pumping, because now I am beginning to realize why you hate it so much.  Our filter hasn't presented us with so many problems.  It doesn't clog up so much, and we don't pump out in the lake!  We bring a large bucket (our biggest cook kit outer pan with handle) or our collapsible sink, full of water up to the campsite and one of us pumps into the water bottles (we use three, two are one-liter and one is a bit larger) for fresh water.  The rest of the water is then available for cooking, washing, whatever.

I wouldn't like pumping either if I were doing it out in the middle of the lake in a canoe.   And certainly not if it had to have a filter cleaning every five liters!  Never counted the strokes, though.  I am usually singing a song (in my head, not out loud) or listening to the loons.      Haven't seemed to have the joy of that winking moose that comes to keep MT company, though.    I suppose that is only in the Q.

Not saying, though, that we might not change to your system.  Maybe we will.  Just saying that we haven't had the problems that some of you seem to have experienced, so I suppose that has made me less negative about the pumping chore.

A couple of comments in response to several messages:

Yes, it takes a minute or two to hang the Platypus - and not much longer.  On a travel day, that can be inconvenient, but then if the kit is easily available it's worthwhile.  I carry a filtration water bottle just in case - it's just dip and drink.

I used to pump - minimum 90 strokes per liter, with filter cleaning about every five liters.  That was a royal nuisance, as was anchoring the canoe in the middle of the lake while I pumped.  Got rained on a lot those days.

The Platypus does slow down, but it does not clog except if water bubbles get stuck.  In both cases, the cure is simply backflushing for a few seconds.

I don't care about getting bark in the dirty water bag because it gets dumped out the next time I fill it.

As always, to each his or her own.

Koda

One of the re-occurring themes I've noticed in threads discussing water filters of any type is that they often get clogged and after awhile don't perform as they once did while new or as advertised.

Regardless of what filter type device you use, the idea that some people have and may not be given enough regard in the products instruction manual is the idea that even with a good pre-filter you can just plunk them in anywhere and expect them not to get clogged overtime.
I have a very fine mesh bug net that is as fine as ancient pair of ladies silk stockings.
I put a pot inside that head net and then clear a section of water from obvious floating jetsam and then scoop the pot full.

Yes, I know the real danger is microscopic, but if you can eliminate as much of the particulate as possible before using whatever method fits you, I believe you could eliminate a big percentage of the reason All filter devices lose effectiveness over time.

Here are my thoughts Kerry.........

I am not keen on having to break out the Platypus on travel days. When I'm in camp it's great! But around noon its time to refill on H2O and I want it fast and I want it now without having to stop.

I took Stu's advice from BWJ and picked up one of the Katadyn squeeze bottles with the filter built in. Some might think its good.......I think it sucks to be blunt. It is heavy, bulky and hard to get a good guzzle........in fact its hard to get a decent sip IMHO.

So now I'm going with the Steri Pen as my go to gadget to get a drink on travel days and it will back up the platypus. Seems kind of fantastic....(To good to be true perhaps)...my regular water bottle and just zap it for a little while. Another item on the Batman utility belt.......lets see.....camera, water bottle, bear spray, SPOT, seal pup knife and now a steri pen........Oh and the little bottle of Bens Deet that fits in a pocket of the sheathe that holds the Seal Pup. I like stuff within reach and hate diggin for it. I might have to ditch the knife (but I LIKE it)..........

Unlike Spartan2 I think my mind has been changed.  I only started pumping water a couple of years ago and the pump I use is great - the Katadyn Pocket may be the best pump out there - and then, there's only two of us.  Still, pumping is a bit of pain, not a colossal pain, mind you, but given the option of pumping or not pumping I've gotta say, not pumping sounds alright to me.  I think this summer I'm going to give the Platypus a try.  Were I to do that, do you all think there would be any good reason to bring the pump as a backup?

KF
You can always use a little protein on a trip.  My brothers call that mechanical pepper.  When you stick your finger in the water they all move away from it and leave a 1 inch clear area around your finger. I have never seen those more than a few feet away from shore.
MagicPaddler

It's OK, MT.  And nothing gets under my skin so much that I can't have a sense of humor about it. 

I know that I am not cutting-edge when it comes to gear--you should SEE some of the stuff we use!     There is a great deal of "being content with what we have" mentality about me at this point, I suppose.  Although I am not opposed to buying new gear if it makes my life easier, or safer, or better.

I just read about all of that setting up ropes and finding the right tree branch, and getting those bags all positioned "just so", and I was thinking that while you are doing that, I could have two or three bottles of water already pumped.  (And Spartan1 is setting up the tent while I am doing that.) 

Do I like pumping water?  Nope? 

Are we going to change our system?  Maybe.  We are planning a trip with another couple this September, so maybe when we see what they do, we will change a lot of our ways.  You can always teach an old dog new tricks.


And I must say, it was refreshing to hear you say you agreed with Preacher!