Steripen?

[hawks33]

Anyone have experience and feedback with these? Looking at options and suggestions for water sterilization and preference for long hikes and hunting elk.

Thanks!

[yogru]

Used a Steripen Adventurer Opti for I'd guess 10 years now.  Mostly for multi-day backpacking trips. I love it.  Small, compact, light,  and little work compaired to traditional sawyer filters.  Make sure you have an extra set of batteries on you.  It kills everything that doesn't get strained off (the big stuff) with the pre filter.  I use it with 2 clear nalgene bottles(it fits well into the wide mouth of these).  I've drank out of some nasty stagnant ponds and holes in my time.  Never got sick using it....UV literally kills everything (note that doesn't mean it will always TASTE great....but you wont get sick)

[kselkhunter]

I have one, but honestly don't use it much.  Wife got it for me because I used to travel to Asia, Middle East, and other countries a lot.  Used it once for backpack trips, but mainly just use my Katadyn and MSR filters these days as they're good enough for the areas I backpack into.   Steripen is useful if you're in an area of questionable water such as a standing water pond of questionable quality, as extra protection.  I would still use a water filter first, then steripen inside the water container to kill anything left.

 

[Stein]

I've used most methods of water purification starting with my Scouting days in the 80's including pills, iodine, other chemicals, pumps, filters, pens and nothing.

I'm using the Katadyn Be Free now as my primary source.  It is by far my favorite method by far and the only thing I am careful of is keeping it from freezing.  The pen is great, I just don't want to add another size battery into my kit, if it can't use AAA, or recharged via USB, it ain't going.

Additionally, for the cost of the pen you can buy two Be Free's and have a backup if you want.

It's a personal preference, there are many good options available including the pen.

[Karl Blanchard]

I like my pen. Much prefer it over a pump unless I know my water sources are gonna be "gritty". I've had to chew my water a time or two and it's not my favorite thing to do   I use aquamira drops more than anything these days.  If I didnt die from the water out of the beaver crap filled ponds in NV last year I'm certain that all of the above methods will work

[BULLBLASTER]

I like my pen. Much prefer it over a pump unless I know my water sources are gonna be "gritty". I've had to chew my water a time or two and it's not my favorite thing to do   I use aquamira drops more than anything these days.  If I didnt die from the water out of the beaver crap filled ponds in NV last year I'm certain that all of the above methods will work

Ya you didn’t die but never mind they strange growths you and the Jon started growing soon after that Nevada trip! 

[hawks33]

Thanks for the replies. I was looking at the ultra, its rechargeable and I liked that I dont have to carry more batteries. Now that I'm doing more out of state hunting I dont like risking a trip drinking stream water and I'm hoping that in some areas I'll be able to carry a little less water.

[Bango skank]

Its a little bulky and not cheap, but i have an msr guardian and its awesome.  Prefilter doesnt even have to be fully submerged, if theres a tiny bit of standing water, it will work.  I spent 10 days camped where my water source was a small, barely trickling spring, and the deepest water was where it collected in some moose tracks in the mud.  Got all of my water from those moose tracks no problem.  Filter screws right on to a nalgene, hand pump works quick.

[gotcha]

I love my ultra and use it a ton.

[D-Rock425]

I've used on never a problem.  I put a cloth or something over mouth of nalgene keeps the big chicks out.

[Shawn Ryan]

Used lots of methods. Steripen is my current and preferred method.

[mburrows]

I've used on never a problem.  I put a cloth or something over mouth of nalgene keeps the big chicks out.

I do the same thing. Love how quick this method is compared to pumps.

If im filling up my big msr 10 liter bladder i just throw in aqua tabs or aquamira drops

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[T-Dozzer]

The ultra crapped out on me. They sent me one of my choosing & I went with the classic.