MSR MIOX Water Purifier

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

as an avid outdoor guy who makes his living in the military traveling around the world to places that never, ever have reliable water sources, the MIOX purifier is a must have item. i've gotten extremely sick from bad water sources in the past. if you've ever experienced such problem, you know it's not something you want to play with. i agree with others that i don't worry about the strips. i double dose everything. my MIOX uses batteries and salt rather conservatively. if you're in the military and are always having to make choices on what you're bringing along on any mission, this guy saves weight and space without a doubt. it fits in a camelbak pocket easily. it also works great for an escape and evasion kit. this is definitely must have gear. while it is expensive, its cost is worth the peace of mind of not getting sick. also keep in mind that it's not a filter. if your water source has "crunchies" in it, you'll be drinking those but they're not going to make you sick. but also keep in mind that filters do not rid your water of viruses. only a purifier can do that. the MIOX rids your water of 100% living organisms. go buy one now!

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

Here's the deal, this thing will have problems if the water you are using is cold. The reason is simple, the rock salt that is used is in this thing has to go in solution. If it is cold it doesn't dissolve enough and it just gives you a red light saying insufficient salt. If you can warm the water up you are ok otherwise it isn't going to work.

The plastic tab that goes from top to bottom is too short on mine making it way too easy to cross thread the top cover is the only other gripe.

When it works great, but if the water is below about 45-50 degrees you are going to need to shake this thing a lot or it is going to do nothing.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

I was initially very excited about this product; it is compact, lightweight and when used properly effective against even cryptosporidium. However, after spending several days attempting to purify water with the Miox, I would not recommend this product due to multiple shortcomings. In order to prepare the brine/oxidant mixture that will purify your water, you must have batteries, crystals and pH strips to check that you have properly completed the process. I found the crystals to diminish far more quickly than one would expect from the manufacturer's information. Furthermore, as our trip progressed, the strength of the oxidant became weaker and weaker, requiring more volume to meet the pH indicator test for potability. I would assume that this was in part due to the batteries weakening and the crystals shrinking. I eventually became so fed up that I used iodine for the last day and a half of the trip. I found function of the Miox dependent on too many factors, making it inconsistent and more hassle than it is worth.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

I've never owned a filter because they are heavy and a hassle to carry and use. Most chemical treatments have their disadvantages, too. I've settled on the Miox as the best treatment method for me. It's easy to use (I never bother with the strips) and it's great for treating large volumes of water for big groups. Since I often lead groups of 12 on week-long volunteer trail work trips, the Miox is really the only reasonable water treatment method. It does leave a slight chlorine aftertaste in the water, but this dissipates over time and in any case has never been strong enough to bother me. A fresh set of batteries generally lasts most if not all of a hiking season, which for me is about 4-6 weeks in the backcountry, treating water for groups of up to 12 people. I'm not sure how many gallons that is, but it's quite a few. At least 50. Still, it's a good idea to carry a spare set of batteries.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

I did all the research and went back and forth as to what would serve me best in a variety of situations. I bought this over a year ago and couldn't be more pleased with it. I wanted something that didn't take much room, was light, and would work for backpacking and travel to places where the water is questionable to say the least. I decided on the MIOX because it was smaller and lighter than a filter system, with no chance of getting clogged or having to maintain it. I also decided against the UV option because it will not work if the water is dirty and the light can't penetrate (now I don't like to drink murky water, but if I had to the MIOX would actually ensure it was virus and microbe free). So long story short, it has worked wonderfully. You do need to hit the bottom of it down on to your hand to get the salt water past the screen, but it is not a real detraction. It works much faster than sitting and filtering water forever, and it leaves little to no taste (I only detect a faint taste if I over treat the water, but if I let it sit overnight, i.e. in a camelbak, there is no taste in the morning). All this said, it isn't for everyone. Nevertheless, it a very good solution for many.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

I bought this for a long distance hike on the AT. I must say the test strips are difficult to use, but are not strictly required. The instruction pamphlet lists an "overkill option" of overdosing the water by 8X This means using the 4L option twice for each liter. I would treat water for the next day before turning in for the night, and the chlorine taste would be gone in the morning.
The unit did suck down batteries far in excess of the manufactures guidelines using the overkill option, and in cold weather it takes even more juice out of the batteries. I was able to find CR123 rechargeable batteries, and they lasted the 10 days or so between resupplies. This would be a great way to do multi-week hikes.

Added bonuses to using the unit:
It is a good hand sanitizer, especially if you splash the water on your hands when rinsing the water bottle threads. It also serves replacement for washing that water bottle. We've all had the Nalgeene funk from Kool-aid etc in our bottles, and this does a good job at combating that. I use this to clean my pump filter when I take that instead (usually in the winter - who wants wet hands in the cold?).

In short, I really recommend this product.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

I've used this on about 10 week long backpacking trips and some weekend trips. Sometimes it works great - when it is warm. When it is cold it takes 2-5 tries to get enough oxidant and you end up using a lot of test strips. Also, it obviously isn't good for dirty/murky/smelly water. And like any chemical treatment you must wait 30 minutes before you can drink. The water tastes like chlorine.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

Let me tell you what I chose after a painful research for an ultimate backpacking water solution.
Every system has its own disadvantages like taste, pump rate ext. Flawless units like reverse osmosis costs more than the other gears total value in your pack. The solution I found is a hybrid system which has all advantages and also weights less than a regular water pump.
I've bought Msr Mix and 16$ costing Aquamira Frontier Pro water filter. It is obvious what Miox is used for. Aquamira Foruntier has 2.0 micron ceramic filter media with activated carbon filter and a prefilter. It has a 28mm connector for bleeders, water bottles and a bite me valve for easy use.
If I list both devices advantages and disadvantages together, you will see how they fit together.
Msr Miox
+Effective against everything
+Last longer with batteries and salt
+Massive purification ability
+Cool being of a tech marvel
-Long wait time if you want fully safe against 2 micron cryptos
-Chlorine taste
-Doesn't filter

Aquamira Frontier Pro
+Small size (actually smaller then Miox but thicker!)
+Multi way use.
+Removes Chemical tastes with Activated Carbon filter
+2.0 micron ceramic filter is enough for most bacteria.
+prefilter protects main filter.
-Doesn't filter rare small bacteria and viruses
-200 liter limited capacity
-As a filter it is relatively slow

If you check the list you will see every advantage and disadvantage of the both devices matches and neutralize each other.
Miox adds chemical taste, Frontier removes.
You need to wait 4 hours for crypto, Frontier filters it instantly.
Miox doesn't filter particles, Frontier does with prefilter.
Frontier doesn't kill viruses, Miox does it immediately.
As it is seem above both devices create ultimate filtering, fast, secure and relatively sustainable. I organize my backpack as a survival bag which requires solid, secure long lasting solutions. In my solution only thing limits your purification is Frontier itself but if you are in an emergency situation, good tasting fast water is a luxury and you can give it up. Of course batteries and salt is also consumable things but you can find salt anywhere (vaporizing sea water!) and I have also a great charging system includes 12v solar and wind power!
That's enough theory. Let's talk a little bit about practical use of these. Actually there is many ways to use this combination. Every combination has positive and negative sides. I begin with my preference.
*Dip a bottle (I use platypus 6L) add Miox screw down Frontier, Remove bite me valve and hang down the bottle let gravity does the rest. The problem about this if the water contains too much organic chemicals, oxidants of Miox could not work as we want. That's why I found a second way.
*Prefilter cap is removable from filter. So you screw down the prefilter to bottle and dip it in stream and follow the first way. This will increase safety and speed of Miox.
*The problem about prefiltering while collecting water is prefilter because the flow inside the bottle. If you have not a strong, fast flowing source this might be a disaster for you.This can be solved by carrying 2 bottles for this job. Fill bare bottle, screw down prefilter, pass it trough prefilter to another bottle and follow the first description again.
*After all you have to wait at least 30 minutes if you don't want to increase the Miox dose. If you wish to wait less use Frontier's main filter with two bottle system. This will cause to be less bacteria and chemicals in the second bottle and decrease wait time for equal Miox dose.
*The fastest solution is to fill your bottle, double or triple Miox dose and drink with Frontier. This will take only 15 minutes or less and the process is the easiest! Yet active carbon takes the nasty taste of Chlorine.
You can choose whichever you want that fits your needs. Or create your own way. It is so adaptable and flexible. But don't forget to share with me (=
I should note that Miox is an excellent product not only for purification purposes also washing clothes and socks. It is fast, effective and environment friendly way to have with you for backpacking trips. Thank to someone on this site I can't find his/her post now. This was a major reason why I bought this unit. It helps you conserve water for washing purposes too. You need a concentrated dose of Miox (2-4 liter option) a little water just enough to get clothes wet. No rinsing is required. Just wash with mioxed water, wait a little bit then hang to dry. That's all!
I'm also researching for other products can be produced by electrolysis but so far couldn't find anything useful. Does anyone have an idea?

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

The Miox purifier has consistently lived up to its promise. It's simple and reliable. We use it to purify large quantities of water and it works superbly. I agree with others that it's often easier to just double to dose and forget about the test strips. Battery life has been great. I mainly use it with a crew of 12 scouts on multi-day backpacking trips, and we've found it to work really well.

Comments about MSR MIOX Water Purifier:

I've used this Miox for many, many miles. Many. The disadvantages are that it won't filter out crud - you need a bandana for that. It will taste a little like chlorine. It is also heavier than a half empty Aqua Mira, or an eyedropper of bleach.

To it's advantage, its weight plus extra batteries (not including salt), is about the same weight as new Aqua Mira. It is small. The parts are easy to find. And, you can double, or even triple, treat your water, if you're so inclined. It does kill everything, too - eventually (4 hours is the usual safety window for the worst of them). So, I was able to leave my water overnight if it was particularly nasty, and feel fine about drinking it by morning. Never had any problems with temperature, like was mentioned in another review. Basic, food grade rock salt works best (though, any salt works, even that stuff you put on your driveway, or just those restaurant packets, if you're not so daring). It's quick, easy, and works. What more could a backpacker want?

If only it were lighter, and didn't leave the hint of chlorine. Those are my complaints. This thing's been with me 4600 some miles, and I'll carry it with me again.