Originally the basecamp had a ceramic filter - now they come with the same pleated filter as the hiker pump model.  I'm sure that you can still find the ceramic replacements.  The ceramic one WILL plug easily if you get dirty water near shore.  You can clean it with the scour pad provided and it will help make it work again.  Personally I like the pleated filters because of the fact that we cary both the basecamp and the hiker pumps where filters are interchangeable if there's any problems and the fact that you can buy 2 pleated replacement filters to every one ceramic replacement filter.  Just my $.02