Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

SteriPEN Classic Water Purifier with Prefilter

$69.95

(71)

Item # 761906

This item may be available in your local REI store.

This item ships for free! Learn more

More videos

To view videos or use the zoom feature on REI's websites, please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

NOW PLAYING

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 Classic water purifier, prefilter, carrying case and instruction manuals

Since late 2008, all SteriPEN water sensors feature twice the electrode voltage of older models. The increased electrical current flow allows proper function in water with low conductivity such as snowmelt and even mineral-free distilled water.

Please note: SteriPEN products can only be shipped to U.S. and Canada.

Imported.

Item 761906

View all SteriPEN products

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

SteriPEN Classic Water Purifier with Prefilter Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

SteriPEN Water Purifier with Pre-Filter

3.5

(based on 71 reviews)

70%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (45)
Maintenance (43)
Easy to clean (34)
Good filtration (20)
Easy to pump (6)

Cons

Poor filtration (6)
Unreliable (6)

Best Uses

Backpacking (50)
Hiking (39)
Day trip (30)
Car camping (15)
Travel (6)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (37), Casual/ recreational (22), Casual adventurer (5), Outdoor professional (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (18)

Reviewed by 71 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Nov

2008

(47 of 48 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

SteriPen Offers to Upgrade Faulty Pens

By NitPicker

from Saratoga, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.[...][...]

Mar

2008

(35 of 46 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Completely fails in the tropics

By Liz the exploration geologist

from Amazon

About Me Professional Guide

See all my reviews

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.

Aug

2008

(32 of 37 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Pretty darn good, but don't be an idiot

By kzemach

from Redwood City, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Jul

2008

(24 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good Solid Sterilizer, Not Fool-Proof

By TiffanyB

from Seattle, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Mar

2008

(23 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

lightweight and compact water purifier

By dog hiker

from Rockville, MD

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Feb

2008

(21 of 21 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great product

By Geoman

from Texas

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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)

Dec

2007

(19 of 21 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

I'm sure it works bec I didn't get sick

By bkcmtr

from Colorado Springs

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Jan

2009

(13 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Very dependable

By Nealster

from Bloomington, Minnesota

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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).

Dec

2007

(10 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

"does the trick"

By maxfiandt

from atlanta, ga

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

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.

Nov

2007

(10 of 25 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Piece of junk

By Davidx

from Richmond, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

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.

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »