Pump Water filter VS UV filter pen

[fungi]

Im getting ready to buy my first water filter and I would like to know what your opinions are about the UV pen filters.   Im hiking with my dad and he has a katadyn hiker pro and I was thinking about going with the UV pen.   What do you think?

[Firedog]

I have no complaints with the Katadyn Pro.

[weathermansam]

I have a friend with a doctorate in Biology who works with UV radiation and it's effects on bacteria and other critters on a daily basis.  It can take 30-40 minutes in a lab setting with the full UV spectrum to break and destroy the cysts.  The steripen essentially renders the cysts from reproducing, so you still get the germ, it's just harmless, in theory.  I'll pass.  You won't find me buying one of those.  I'm considering switching to one of the gravity based filters soon, but I too like the Katadyn Pro. 

[squidbilly]

Thanks for that info,Sam.  Didn't realize cysts were so hard to kill with UV light. Also, theStreripen does nothing about the other things that may be in the water. I'll keep my Katadyn HP.

[buck]

I would HIGHLY recommend some type of gravity flow system like the Platypus System. I've used a few different types of filters and this is the best thing I've put my hands on thus far, not to mention the lightest set up I've had. I told my wife after my last hike that this water filter has become my favorite piece of equipment. Simple, lite, hands free for the most part, super fast, convenient, safe, you name it! Superb is an under statement in my opinion.

[squidbilly]

 Nice system, and 4oz lighter than my Katadyn HP.  Convenient that you can have 8 liters of water to use at camp too.
My first concern,when I saw the small filter was: how long untill that clogs?  The question was soon answered by the filter media and backflushing. The only downside I see is you need a fairly large water source. You won't be sucking water up from a small seep.

 I can attest to the effectiveness and durability of the hollow fiber filter system. We have used these for years in our oxygenators and hemofilters for cardiovascular surgery.

[buck]

My first concern,when I saw the small filter was: how long untill that clogs?  The question was soon answered by the filter media and backflushing. The only downside I see is you need a fairly large water source. You won't be sucking water up from a small seep.

I had some of the same concerns and actually hesitated for the longest trying to decide if I wanted to take the chance, especially considering that I had never had a moments problem out of my MSR filter.

Back flushing was very simple and worked like a charm. Also, the way the dirty water bag is made it allows for any trash in the water to settle below the exit point which in turn keeps it from ever entering the filter.

The filter itself, if I remember correctly, was good for around 1,500 liters???

My biggest concern was if I would be able to get water from a seeping source. I did get water from a couple of low running sources, but not a seeping source. But if push came to shove, I realized I could dip the water with a cup and pour it into the Platypus bag for filtering.

I'll report back if I do eventually run into problems with this filter, but for now I can only say that it's the overall best setup I've used.

[Cuffs]

Both the Platy and Sawyer are great gravity filters. Dollar for dollar, over the life of each, the Sawyer is the better deal. (million gallon guarantee).

[stevebo]

  Cuffs, with the sawyer, are you able to backflush it while on the trail, or can it only be done at home?  Also, how much are they and where do you buy one?