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SteriPEN Classic Water Purifier with Prefilter
$89.95
Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)
Let the SteriPEN Classic ultraviolet purifier with prefilter be your single source for potable water on your next traveling or backpacking adventure.
- 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 SteriPEN prefilter clears particulates and debris from water
- Prefilter fits Nalgene® and other water bottles with 63mm wide-mouth openings; pour source water through filter, and clean water enters bottle
- 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
- Small size fits most containers—use it in cups, mugs, water bottles and canteens
- SteriPEN turns itself off once ultraviolet treatment is complete; can be used up to 8,000 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
- Purify 200 16 fl. oz. glasses of water with 4 lithium AA batteries (batteries sold separately)
- SteriPEN recommends the use of name-brand lithium AA batteries with a capacity of 800 milliamp hours (mAh) or greater, such as Duracell, Energizer and Panasonic
- SteriPEN does not recommend the use of alkaline batteries, as they provide very few SteriPEN treatments
- Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries are approved for use; be sure to fully charge batteries before use
- Average weight is 8 oz. with alkaline batteries and 6.4 oz. with lithium batteries; weight empty is 3.7 oz.
- Only use SteriPEN independent of prefilter when clear water is available, as cloudy, sediment-laden water hinders effectiveness
- Prefilter screen has a square aperture equal to 17 square microns
- Includes SteriPEN purifier, prefilter, carrying case and instruction manuals
Imported.
Item 761906
Related Items:
SteriPEN Classic Water Purifier with Prefilter Specs
Specification | Description |
| Weight | (w/ alkaline batteries) 8.0 / (w/lithium batteries) 6.4 ounces |
| Dimensions | 7.6 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Material | Plastic |
| Removes/Destroys | Protozoa, bacteria and viruses |
| Output | 32 oz. per 90 seconds |
| Pump force | Not applicable |
| Pump strokes per liter | Not applicable |
| Field cleanable | Yes |
SteriPEN Classic Water Purifier with Prefilter Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Lightweight (27)
- Maintenance (25)
- Easy to clean (20)
- Good filtration (12)
- Easy to pump (4)
Cons
- Unreliable (4)
Best Uses
- Backpacking (31)
- Hiking (23)
- Day trip (16)
- Car camping (9)
- Travel (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (21), Casual/ recreational (10), Casual adventurer (5), Outdoor professional (4)
Reviewed by 43 customers
Sort by
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
The Steripen DOES NOT work in the tropics! We have had several pens on our project fail completely within 2 days. I notice that a Thailand traveler reported a similar problem. Back home in the US, the pens "fix" themselves... goading the unsuspecting user into bringing them back a second time, where they immediately fail. The green light flashes, red light flashes once or repeatedly, and then that's it. Scrubbing the pins and battery contact points helps once or twice, but no further. This may have something to do with corrosion in the humid climate, or moisture accumulation within the bulb. The batteries in other tech equipment and GPS's work without fail. Cute little gadget, but totally useless when you really need it.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Good filtration
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
Cons
- false
- Leaks
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Car Camping
- Day trip
- emergencies
- Hiking
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
My first unit leaked because it would not seal properly in the pre-filter and it gave disconcerting premature "low Battery" alarms when using Hydro-Photon's recommended rechargeable NiMH batteries. I exchanged it for another unit at REI but it had the same problems. I reported these problems to Hydro-Photon. They were sufficiently concerned to test 10 samples from current stock. As a result of their tests, they reported that 1) they had found pre-filters that leaked due to wear in the manufacturing mold, 2) they agreed that the rubber on the nose of the SteriPen needed to be softer, and 3) they agreed that the logic used by the software to create "low battery" alarms was based upon lithium disposable batteries which are rated at 1.5V and needed to be modified to account for the 1.2V rating of NiMH batteries. They have corrected the problems and have agreed to upgrade any SteriPens and replace any pre-filters that are exhibiting problems if their owners will ship their units to Hydro-Photon.[...][...]
- Gift:
- No
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Easy to pump
- Good filtration
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
Cons
Best Uses
- Hiking
- Overseas
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
A. Don't be an idiot: ALWAYS carry iodine/backup pills. This applies to ANY water filter. Carrying any filter without the almost weightless purification tablets is like using a GPS for critical route-finding and not bringing a compass.
B. I like this much better than the CR-123 battery models. My headlamp takes AAs. My GPS takes AAs. My cellphone recharger takes AAs. My Digital Camera takes AAs. If I'm in hotels-type trips, then my razor and toothbrush take AAs. I use rechargeable NiMH AAs, and bring a charger with solar if necessary. Too easy.
C. Disappointed that most of the new models take CR-123s, the scourge of the earth.
D. Don't even think that you should use this unit with disposable AAs. They work, but barely (can't handle the current requirements, ESPECIALLY in the cold). Disposables work in a pinch (and are easier to find in, say Pakistan, than CR-123s!), but you won't get much out of them.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Good filtration
- Kills viruses
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Needs Deeper Water Source
- Poor filtration
Best Uses
- Backpacking
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
This isn't a filter. If you want something that's going to filter out particulates from your water (even the small ones that you can't see), this isn't going to do it, and it isn't the water treatment device for you. Even the prefilter is just for big stuff.
That said, at 8oz with NiCad batteries and in its case, it's what, the second lightest non-chemical water treatment device out there? Only the HyperFlow is lighter, and that doesn't treat viruses. That's why I went with this thing. Because, even though viruses aren't that common in the PacNorthwest backcountry, I'm silly that way.
There are two significant downsides, besides the filtration issue, that could make this right out for you, to be aware of - you need to have a water source deep enough to allow you to fill a container. If you can bring a hose and set up a siphon, then it doesn't need to be very deep at all, but it's something to be aware of, since there is no pump action to let you draw water up from two or three inches of running meltoff.
Second, if you don't have functioning batteries, you're hosed. Always, of course, carry backup treatment, but I failed to check the charge on my batteries before my last trip, and we had to rely on my friend's SweetWater instead (another good treatment system). It was just drained batteries (rechargables that had been sitting for nine months or so), and me not being smart.
Other than that, it's easy to use, albeit no faster than any of the common pumps out there. You can use it with a nalgene (the pre-filter seals the threads so those don't get contaminated) or a gatorade or other lighter bottle. (This only applies to this version of the SteriPen, with the circular base off of the bulb, though.) And if you go off visiting foreign countries with questionable water supplies, you can take it with you there.
It's not for everyone, but it's worth considering.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Very efective
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- emergencies
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
Used the Steripen on a 12 day trek up Kilimanjaro. Started out treating about 10 liters of water a day for me and my daughter. After several days, other trekers started using the pen to purify their water as well. Worked great and we avoided the nasty iodine additives that others used. Probably treated approx 250 liters of water on the trip and only had to change the batteries once (we used lithium batteries -- one set probably lasted about 175 liters)
Pros
- Low maintenance
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
Used it during a backpacking trip and ended up the only purifier for our group of 10 backpackers in CO for 2 days. Nobody got sick so I assume it works. Works perfectly w/prefilter. The other reviewer who gave it an unpleasant review probably has more to do with battery problem. I used 2 sets of alkaline batteries for those 2 days and works just fine. I heard lithium works better.
Pros
- Had high expectations
Cons
- lack of battery indicatio
Best Uses
- good concept, but...
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
Just returned from Thailand and Laos. Used this product twice, then the 4 batteries died, drained. No indication, and UV light wouldn't go on. Very expensive, and very dissappointed. Had to buy bottled water during whole 3-week trip.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
I read the instructions 2 weeks before my trip but then my moron chip kicked in and I didn't review them just before I left. When I first used it I inserted it into the water and then turned it on and not vice versa. I was very frustrated by the time I figured it out. After that it worked like a charm every time and all of the time. I could gather water and use it after 90 seconds allowing me to take only 1 liter of water on the trail. BE CAREFUL NOT TO SLOP UNTREATED WATER ONTO PARTS OF THE BOTTLE WHERE TOUCHED BY LIPS. If the UV light doesn't reach the germ (Outside of the bottle) it can't kill it. If you use a narrow necked bottle you might want to take along a lightweight funnel and a dipper (cream cheese tub).
- Gift:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Batteries
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
Had a problem with it as soon as I got it. It would turn on and then turn off before it finished. Contacted customer service and described the problem. They said to use lithium batteries instead of alkaline batteries. Picked up a fresh set of lithium batteries and it worked fine. Make sure you use lithium batteries and the water bottle prefilter.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Good filtration
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Heavier then I would like
Best Uses
- Backpacking
- Car Camping
- Day trip
- Hiking
Comments about SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter:
I recently pick this bad boy up and thought it was stupid and seemed like a scam. I was wrong the pen was easy to use, never needs a filter and seems to get the job done well.
The only problem i had with it was the fact that it takes 4 AA batteries wich makes the thing pretty heavy and probley not the best for a ultralight hiker.
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