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SteriPEN water purifiers meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for microbiological water purifiers and have been independently tested by the Oregon Health Sciences University and the universities of Arizona and Maine. For complete test results visit www.steripen.com.
Imported.
Item 750366
Specification | Description |
| Weight | (with batteries) 3.6 ounces |
| Dimensions | 6.1 x 1.5 x 1 inches |
| Material | Plastic |
| Removes/Destroys | Protozoa, bacteria and viruses |
| Output | 32 oz. per 90 seconds |
| Pump force | NA |
| Pump strokes per liter | NA |
| Field cleanable | Yes |
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Reviewed by 44 customers
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
This was used by me for 1 year. My experiences include Aconcagua, Denali, Shasta, Sawtooths, Yosemite etc. Previously, I have 15 years and 300+ major peaks, and never used a filter and never got sick. When I saw this item, I decided it was light and small enough for me to try. I subscribe to the light and fast philosophy.
I had to return the original version (blue and white) and now have this version. This version is better because it's smaller and it takes smaller batteries. However, the bottom line is it's great when it works, but there is often field failure, so you always need a backup plan (tabs etc.)and extra batteries.
As far as I can tell, there are several key factors as to whether the item will work in the field:
1) Temperature- any temperature under 70F will reduce the speced number of filters you will get on new batteries. Since I'm a mountaineer and continually in colder and fluctuating temps, I will always need a new set of batteries for every trip, and I may have to keep the Steri-Pen in a warm place (as they state in the manual).
2) Dry contacts and UV tube- we found that the red light will come on in the middle of a filter cycle and the UV light will go off more oftem if you start with a wet Steri-Pen (this happens on multiple filters of a Nalgene to fill up a bladder, for example). Drying the pen after each cycle decrease UV failure.
3) Particles in the water- we found that even if the water is mostly clear and has a few tiny particles, the UV light will go out in mid filter. This makes the case for bringing a prefilter, as they suggest. This can be a coffee filter or the bulky items they sell. Either way it's yet another item to bring.
Bottom line- Looks great in theory because of it's lightweight and ease of use, but consider that you will always need these additional items every time you use this product:
At least one set of new backup batteries, pre-filter, something to dry pen , something to warm pen, backup purify tablets.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
No disrespect to other reviewers BUT...Looking at the postings (and reading reviews of the SteriPen here and at other sites), it appears that folks are not quite using it correctly. I use it a lot and both models (including the light weight Adventurer) have worked fine for me. The problem seems to be...when the green light comes on, people insert it in the water to be purified right away. What one should do, is wait just a second more for the green light to FLASH, then insert it into the water. Then it seems to work correctly. I did call customer service at Hydro-Photon and they stated that they are trying to specify this in their user instructions.
This does not correct the problem of trying to use it in very cold conditions, which does seem to be causing some folks a problem, and yes the batteries can be expensive.
For me, (trying to save weight when backpacking), the SteriPen is still a good choice which kills all three categories of water bourne bugs quickly and effectively. Again, just my opinion - no affiliations or sponsorships with the SteriPen folks - unless of course they wanted to start helping me pay for my backcountry trips.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
I reluctantly purchased this product before leaving for a month long journey through Australia, New Zealand and the islands of Fiji. I specifically purchased it with Fiji in mind.
I first tested this product while in New Zealand on the Franz Josef glacier during a climb. It worked great and didn't get sick from any water there.
The real test was Fiji where they said again and again do NOT drink the water. I felt daring and only had a few more days left on the trip. Instead of buying any bottled water when we were in the Yasawas, I used the Steri-Pen to purify any drinking water sources. I did not get sick and was very pleased with this product.
I also purchased this with the solar charging case. While in a parts of Fiji, New Zealand and Australia with no electricity or plumbing, I couldn't imagine surviving without this product.
As long as you follow all the directions this product should work wonderfully for you.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
I used the pen for a few weeks in Africa, including up Mt. Kilimanjaro, and it worked flawlessly every time, with no taste issues and no illness (I trust it more for viruses than many other systems). My companions struggled with their bulky pumps, filters and pills while I was ready to go. Batteries are NO PROBLEM if you get the solar charger case. If you get a headlamp that uses the same batteries you don't need to carry multiple types. Get the pre-filter bottle top (fits a wide mouth Nalgene) and you can handle some pretty ugly water.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
I was sure disappointed with my first taste of water after using the SteriPen. Yuk!!! After much experimenting and talking to the inventor my conclusion is that if you get air in the water the ozone in the air (per the inventor) will create a miserable taste. The taste will go away in time but a good length of time from what I found. If taking fast moving water from a stream let it sit a bit and don't over-stir it. I was really agitating the water. Once this got solved, I LOVE it. I can use a fanny pack now on long day hikes which makes the whole experience much more fun for me.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
I took the SteriPen on a month-long trip in rural India and it worked great. I had peace of mind -- and even better, the water never made me sick and I was able to enjoy my travels. It doesn't make the water taste bad like tablets, and it's very easy to use and compact to carry. I wouldn't travel overseas without it!
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
Just back from 3 weeks in Sierra. Steripen stellar except the batteries that came with the unit only lasted about 10 treatments - bummer, didn't plan on that! With fresh batteries, unit lasted the mfctr's stated usage of about 50 quart/litre treatments. Very reliable with good quality lithium batteries. Extra batteries are a must, add weight, but worth it as insurance.
Easy to open unit with coin or just about any other tool, inluding zipper pull tabs.Thought it would be more vulnerable to breakage, but it held up fine in protective case and sheath. Cold weather didn't diminish effectiveness, in my opinion. Didn't notice any change in water taste. Nice to have cold water in just a minute or two with no pumping.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
Just returned from a nine-day hike in Kings Canyon National Park and used the Steripen all nine days. Went through one set of batteries, but we were treating six liters per day. MUCH easier than pumping (Katydyn) or treating (MSR Miox); about two minutes to treat one liter and it's instantly drinkable.Very lightweight. Biggest negative might be battery consumption -- and you have to carry a spare set of batteries.[...]
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
Totally satisfied with the treatment. Have used on multiple trips using this as my only means of water treatment. No problems at all.
Actual use of the pen is awkward. You have to put just the lighted end into your bottle and then swirl it around for 90 seconds. Can get pretty awkward. Also, that doesn't work with bladders since they're not rigid enough to swirl around.
Basically the space I saved with the Steripen is taken up by having to carry a Nalgene.
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Comments about SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier:
The SteriPen marketing pushes how much better it is vs filter, however once you purchase it, the first thing it tells you to do is filter it. I contacted SteriPen via phone and was informed to only use in very clear water with no green tint or sediment at all because it won't work.
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