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SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle

SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle

Item # 745185
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This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

Going places exotic? Let this ultraviolet purifier with pre-filter and bottle be your single source for potable water while traveling and backpacking.

  • Ultraviolet (UV-C) light rays safely sterilize clear water by destroying 99.99% of viruses, bacteria and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
  • SteriPEN protects you from risks that cause botulism, cholera, dysentery and typhoid, just to name a few
  • But if clear water is not available, no worries—the Hydro Photon Pre-Filter clears particulates and debris from water
  • Pre-filter fits on the 32-oz. polycarbonate bottle provided; simply pour source water through filter and clean water enters bottle
  • Pre-filter also fits Nalgene® and other water bottles with standard 63mm wide-mouth openings
  • Then use the SteriPEN™ purifier to treat the water; just press a button and gently agitate the water with a quick stir
  • Purifies 16 fl. oz. of water (cold or warm) in less than a minute, or 32 fl. oz. in a minute and a half
  • SteriPEN turns itself off once ultraviolet treatment is complete; can be used up to 5,000 times
  • Watertight seals keep water away from the electronics; rubberized inset grips for secure handling in wet conditions
  • Low-power indicator lets you know when batteries need replacing; twist-off cap for easy battery access
  • Long used by municipal water districts and bottling companies, low-level UV-C light treats water safely, and unit's light will not damage eyes or skin
  • Four AA alkaline batteries purify 20 to 40 16-oz. glasses of water; purify 130 to 140 glasses with AA lithium batteries (batteries sold separately)
  • Average weight of purifier is 8 oz. with alkaline batteries and 6.4 oz. with lithium batteries; weight empty is 3.7 oz.
  • Use only on clear water, as cloudy, sediment-laden water hinders effectiveness
  • Pre-filter screen has a square aperture equal to 17 square microns

Imported.

Item 745185

SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle Specs

Specification

Description

Weight24 ounces
Dimensions3.5 x 9.75 inches
MaterialPlastic
Removes/DestroysProtozoa, bacteria and viruses
Output32 oz. per 90 seconds
Pump forceN/A
Pump strokes per literN/A
Field cleanableYes

SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle
 
4.1

(based on 8 reviews)

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (8)
  • Maintenance (7)
  • Easy to clean (6)
  • Good filtration (3)

Cons

  • Filtered water doesn't taste good (3)

Best Uses

  • Backpacking (7)
  • Hiking (6)
  • Day trip (4)
  • Car camping (3)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid adventurer (4), Casual adventurer (3)

Reviewed by 8 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-8

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Sep

15

2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

Seems to work, but many questions

By Wonder-seeker

from Illinois

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Easy to pump
  • Lightweight
  • Low maintenance

Cons

  • Awkward to use
  • Filtered water doesn't taste good
  • Not fast

Best Uses

  • Backpacking

Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

I believe the UV purifier works well in principal (can't be statistically sure except for my direct empirical experience). Water sometimes had an off-taste since the coarse filter doesn't remove organic compounds or other dissolved solids. I woul d be concerned about using this in areas where there may be chemical toxins in the water (insecticides, etc.). Also, question what happens to water that may remain on the Nalgene cap, on the threads or the upper portion of the bottle that doesn't come into direct line of sight with the UV light.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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Dec

27

2007

 
5.0

Awesome product have used 100's of times

By colorado backpacker

from CO

About Me Avid Adventurer

Pros

  • Good filtration
  • Lightweight
  • Low maintenance

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Day trip
    • Hiking

    Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

    Have used this for years and it works flawlessly. Doesn't change the taste of water. I love the fact that I can have ice cold mountain water in the summer in just a couple minutes. Much faster and easier than any pump.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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    Oct

    17

    2007

     
    3.0

    SteriPEN Review

    By Billy Goat Gruff

    from Albuquerque, NM

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Easy to clean
    • Lightweight
    • Low maintenance

    Cons

    • Filtered water doesn't taste good
    • Poor filtration

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Day trip
    • Hiking

    Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

    I like the SteriPEN for short backpacking trips or day hikes because it is small, lightweight, easy to maintain, and works quickly.

    The SteriPEN has some downsides including its pre-filter which I find difficult to operate. Also, the lid for the water bottle that came with the SteriPEN broke on my first trip out.

    I prefer the SteriPEN to iodine tablets or boiling water, but to really purify my water I would prefer an actual filter.

    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

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    Oct

    16

    2007

     
    5.0

    Miraculous clean water

    By Nancy in Ky

    from Frankfort, KY

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Easy to clean
    • Easy to Use
    • Fast
    • Lightweight
    • Low maintenance

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Hiking
      • Overseas travel

      Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

      While I messed around with iodine tablets and waiting and checking my watch, wondering if I should have brought my bulky heavy filter instead, my friend just whipped out her SteriPEN and waved it around in her bottle for 1 1/2 minutes and presto - water ready to drink. The only concern I had was to keep water off the bottle threads, or dry them before using. I'll be putting this on my Christmas list!

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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      Oct

      12

      2007

       
      4.0

      Great for traveling

      By 3pinbabe

      from Fort Collins, CO

      About Me Outdoor Professional

      Pros

      • Easy to clean
      • Lightweight
      • Quick
      • Simple

      Cons

      • Battery opperated

      Best Uses

      • International Travel

      Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

      Yes, this relies on batteries, but the bottom line is that I used it for three weeks on tap water in Ecuador and never got sick! It is perfect for international travelers because you can fill your own bottles when ever you want, and you don't have to depend on bottled water. Yes, it is a little pricy, but you ultimately save money because you are not always buying water. This is not great for backpacking because it relies on batteries, and it works best in clear water. It is so easy to use and so quick! I won't leave the country with out one from now on.

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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      Sep

      24

      2007

       
      5.0

      Too easy!

      By Reidspeed Racer

      from Wolverine Lake, Michigan

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy to clean
      • Good filtration
      • Lightweight
      • Low maintenance

      Cons

      • None that I can see.

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Car Camping
      • Hiking

      Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

      This product is so easy to use, and so fast to filter it was a pleasure to have on the hikes. We hiked the mountains of Washington state, Alberta, & British Columbia. Filtered many mountain streams....had no bad affects. My partner had a pump filter system; I couldn't believe how much longer it took to get the same amount of water.

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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      Sep

      21

      2007

       
      4.0

      Excellent backcounty purifier

      By Minnjohn

      from Minneapolis, Minnesota

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy to clean
      • Lightweight
      • Low maintenance

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Car Camping
        • Day trip
        • Hiking

        Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

        I primarily use water purifiers in northern Minnesota in the Superior National Forest and BWCA. In the past, I have used pump filters and iodine tablets. Although this purifier has certain limitations, it is the best alternative in most back country environments where other non-biological/viral contaminants are not an issue.

        In my backcountry treks I am not in an environment where chemical or other toxic water contaminants are an issue. In general, the water in northern Minnesota is clear, or easily filtered with the Steripen's filter attachment. Our primary concern is for bacterial and viral contamination -- principally giardia. In this environment, I can foresee that the Steripen will gradually replace other mechanical filtration systems. First, it is light weight and well suited to backpacking (my primary activity), particularly when used with lithium batteries, which have about half the weight of alkaline and last longer. Second, it is extremely quick and efficient. A liter bottle (my Nalgene) is purified in 90 seconds. With lithium batteries it will run approximately 150 cycles according to the manufacturer, and I have found that to be about accurate. Third, since the pen is compact and fits easily in an outer pocket on my pack, I can easily collect and purify water on trail without getting out hoses for my Katydyn.

        The unit comes with a Nalgene bottle and prefilter, to remove particulate matter that would otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of the UV light. The prefilter can sometimes be tricky to use, but with practice is relatively efficient and operates well. In our northwoods environment, I frequently collect water from lakes and streams that yield clear water and that often do not require any pre-filtration.

        I also hike in southern Minnesota, where I am sometimes concerned about non-biological and viral contaminants, and in that environment I use a regular pump filter and then the Steripen. I have greater confidence in the Steripen's ability to neutralize bio and viral contaminants than my pump filter, and essentially use the pump filter only where water quality, and taste, may need to be addressed. However, in my primary hiking area, this is seldom an issue, and in the north I no longer carry my pump. I carry the Steripen, and extra set of batteries as a precaution, and for emergency use, iodine tablets. Overall, this is an excellent product, and is the "new wave" of water purification that I believe will eventually replace many other filters.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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        Sep

        21

        2007

         
        4.0

        Lightweight works great

        By threeflysup

        from Redondo Beach, CA

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Easy to clean
        • Easy to pump
        • Good filtration
        • Lightweight
        • Low maintenance

        Cons

        • Filtered water doesn't taste good

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Car Camping
        • Day trip
        • Hiking

        Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter and Bottle:

        I was a little skeptical at first of this since I was worried about lingering water on hte cap and the riges of the bottle but a fellow backpacker suggested having another container to scoop the water with and purify and then pour it into the nalgene bottle. Worked great...water never tastes the same as out of the tap but what can you expect?? I felt safe the whole time and did not get sick from any lingering bacteri, etc. I got the full package (bottle, bottle filter and steriPEN) [...]!

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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