Pocket Water Microfilter Reviews

by on September 22, 2011

wilderness hikingWelcome to Pocket Water Microfilter Reviews.

This is where you’ll find all the information you need to decide on which brand of portable water filter suits your needs best, based on price, durability, effectiveness and other features.

 

Why a Website on Portable Water Filters?

I started this website because I’ve traveled overseas a lot and know what it’s like to be sick and feeling like crap while trying to enjoy a holiday or when working in foreign countries. And believe me, you never want to catch the Giardia bug. I dropped over 20 pounds in two months trekking in Asia before reaching home to get proper medical care.

You don’t have to travel overseas to be exposed to contaminated water sources. Even the crystal clear mountain streams of the backcountry can be tainted with intestinal parasites. And how do you protect your family when a hurricane or tornado knocks out the power supply and your access to safe, treated water for days or weeks ?

Why Travel With a Pocket Water Filter?

Three good reasons: viruses, bacteria and protozoans. The World Health Organization says 80% of diseases picked up when traveling is due to unclean water. Contaminated drinking water is full of funny, little creatures that play havoc inside your intestines.

Let’s understand a little biology. E-coli is a bacteria. Hepatitis is a virus. Giardia is a protozoan. These tiny microbes range from 0.002 microns to 15 microns. The best pocket water filters guarantee to filter out anything bigger than 0.2 microns, not everything. Bacteria and protozoans are large and usually always filtered out, but some viruses may pass through.

You can never be 100% sure with any water filter. The goal is to reduce your chances of getting sick with the most affordable protection.

How to Choose a Pocket Water Microfilter

A good pocket water microfilter is priceless if it keeps you healthy. Some brands are definitely pricey and built to last, while other models are cheaper for more casual use. Choosing the right pocket water filter depends on your type of activities and available alternatives.

If you’re in a military operation or living in a remote foreign location, then don’t take chances with a cheap water filter… buy the best option. But if you’re a weekend hiker exploring wilderness areas or taking a hunting vacation to the backwoods, then you just need a reliable backup to avoid boiling all your drinking water every time.

Pocket Water Microfilter Reviews

My approach to the Pocket Water Microfilter Reviews is with thorough research. I’ve spent considerable hours digging out the most relevant comments from hundreds of online reviews at Amazon, Trailspace and others to summarize the positive and negative aspects of each pocket water microfilter model. I seek out valuable info nuggets from practical users that come from real life situations.

That saves you a lot of time. Most reviews are very opinionated and need to be screened for honest insights. Here are a few of the basic criteria that should help your decision-making:

      • Price and Warranty
      • Disposable versus Ceramic Filters
      • Micron Filter Size
      • Pump Action Ergonomics
      • Material Durability
      • Water Filter Output
      • Weight and Ease of Packing

Where to Buy Pocket Water Filters

For most people, the best bargains are usually found at Amazon.com, although some of the major US outfitter stores may run special deals. Customer complaints and service questions are addressed better by Amazon and outdoor gear shops like REI, Moosejaw, Backcountry and others.

Camping and hiking gear sales usually occur during the Spring and Summer months. So I’ll try to stay aware of any special discounts or coupon deals available to pass on to you.

Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter Review

by on September 24, 2011

Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
The Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter is one tough and efficient outdoor product. Made to last, it is designed by a Swiss company (think Army knife and fancy watches) and built to withstand years of use to provide clean water in the most remote places or difficult situations.

Purchasing a high quality pocket water filter is not cheap, so this review will cover what makes the Katadyn Pocket a top-of-the-line product, some specific insights from actual users and even a few negative comments to ensure that your money is well spent.

 
Reasons Why the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter is so Popular

The Katadyn Pocket is the favorite filter for a broad range of people, including hiking and camping enthusiasts, relief workers in disaster areas, military men and women, foreign travelers and others. All of these groups realize that clean drinking water is not always available and having a reliable alternative allows them to be healthy and continue their work or recreational activities.

  1. 20-Year Warranty – Products today are usually only good for a few years, but the Pocket Water Filter will be your traveling companion for a lifetime because of its sturdy design and solid components.
  2. Water Treatment – The filter captures organisms 0.2 microns and above that includes most bacteria and protozoans, like E-coli, cholera and giardia, that cause water borne illnesses.
  3. Filter Lifespan – The ceramic filters, though expensive, function a long time under regular use. So the overall cost after purchase is far less compared to other filters that require more changes.
  4. Water Output - The rounded pump handle and cushioned base make it easier to work the filter that pumps out about 1 quart per minute. Of course this all depends on the quality of the water source and your own pumping power.
  5. Easy to Clean – Just unscrew the mechanism and brush the brown crude off the outside of the ceramic filter. A simple and efficient design that takes only a minute.

How The Katadyn Pocket Works

A durable and hefty filter, the Katadyn Pocket has a silver-impregnated ceramic element that keeps out any bugs bigger than 0.2 microns and produces clear drinking water. Even if your water source is gritty and dirty, the filter works. Although more grunge means more maintenance.

Water enters via a hose at the base and pumped through the microfilter with an easy to grip round handle. Another hose attaches to the top outlet port that squirts clean water into a bottle via a clip-on hose. It takes a bit of practice to position the mechanism right to get into a good pump action groove.

Besides pumping out more water per filter than other models, the Pocket is a snap to take apart and clean under field conditions. And if used correctly, it filters out the bad taste associated with some outdoor watering holes.

Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
 

What Do Real Users Say About the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter?

The proof of any product is how well it works in the field. Let’s summarize how the Pocket measures up. Most of us don’t like the hassle of pulling out gear, setting it up and spending time on mundane tasks. So, choosing the best water filter depends on your patience and your tastebuds.

As far as field operation goes, hooking up the Katadyn Pocket hoses, pumping dirty water and packing up everything again can take considerable time. Even new ceramic filters need to be flushed out a bit to get rid of the odd taste.

“I am sticking with the Katadyn setup even though it’s busier and a bit more to schlep with the extra 2 components to purify and get better tasting water.” - Remote Camper (Arizona)

“My Katadyn Pocket has NEVER EVER FAILED me yet during extreme use, and always provided me great tasting water from some pretty nasty looking water sources.” – Spalexfishing

“I decided to invest a bit more in a filter that I would not have to worry about. This will be the last filter I will have to buy.” – Christian L. Franken (St Paul, Minnesota)

“It’s sturdy, it’s tough, it’s made by people who understand that safety should not be compromised for a few dollars or ease of use. If you buy a Katadyn, you’re buying quality and ease of mind.” – J. C. Little (Good Ole USA)

The annoyances with the Katadyn Pocket Filter relate to its high price and setup time for field use. Some hikers don’t like the extra weight (20 oz) and are put off by the size (24″x10″). Despite the initial cost, the majority of users rate the Pocket as the best water filter on the market.

I bought a Katadyn Pocket over 20 years ago to use in East Africa. Although the case zipper is rusted out and the plastic sleeve is off color, it still pumps clean water. Its simple design and quality parts do last a lifetime. I recommend it highly if you need one filter that you can count on with extreme water conditions and in remote locations.
 

Where to Buy the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter

Deciding where to purchase a Katadyn product depends on finding the best price available, while also maintaining good customer service. As noted before, a Swiss company makes these water filters and so it may be difficult to deal directly with the manufacturer if problems arise.

Normally the cheapest prices are on Amazon. This option gives you the advantage of reduced costs and having good customer support. Outfitter stores, like REI and Moosejaw, do offer many Katadyn products, but you will likely spend more money. Some customers like to deal with outfitter stores for service and maintenance reasons. Just be on the lookout for outdoor gear sales and special deals throughout the year.