ST, I am wondering if the mini filter has a slightly slower flow rate than the older, larger style of filters.  One would think the larger filter has a greater surface area and would offer less resistance.  I tried this new bottle and filtered some tap water and the flow seemed similar to what I had experienced with the older model.  At any rate it seems acceptable, though there may be better options as you noted if greater flow rate is desired.

Mad Mat, I have not experienced any issues with the blue bottles in our group.   I wonder if there was a manufacturing issue/bad batch at some point.  I usually do a combined straw suck, squeeze assist while drinking so I am not totally crushing the bottle like a typical Gatorade style sports bottle. 

The million gallons claim is just a marketing gimmick as far as I am concerned.  The filter will work until it doesn't, that's it, of course it will depend on water conditions.  The older box I pictured below claimed only up to 500 gallons.  Later I think they switched to up to a million gallons and now the current package states up to 100,000 gallons.   ::) 

db, When I use the filter in my DIY gravity setup, usually the filter clogs to the point of just being painfully slow.  I still have some flow and enough clean water in my filtered container to perform a back flush.  I could use boiled water or water from one of our individual bottles if I had to.  Sometimes I find the need to flush the filter daily, especially during a June trip when there is a lot of pollen in the water.  Two or three syringes worth of water backflushing and I'm usually back in business.