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Item 813799
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 43 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
With clear water and a fresh filter the 4gal in 2.5 minute time is pretty accurate. With dirty water it can slow a lot, but try back-flushing and making sure as much air is out of the tubes as possible which seems to help. Ideal for a group backpacking, but if water quality is suspect, bring a second replacement filter or two of these units for a group.
Pros
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Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
After years of growing up watching my dad pump water by hand, I knew there had to be a better option. This is hands down the only way to maintain a clean water supply. Although some have complained about the size and quantity of the bags, I've found them quite useful. On trips where camp is not next to water, I'll take the whole system with me to the water supply. I'll filter the first dirty bag, refill it and carry a bag of clean and a bag of dirty back to camp. It's nice to be able to bring back 8 liters for easy access. Especially when I'm the only one in a group of 4 or more with a filtration system. Of course if that's not your thing, modify what you take. Leave the extras behind. To the folks at Platypus, please don't reduce this system. It's perfect as it is! If anything, offer an additional smaller system and create another option for people wanting something simpler.
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Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
I Was recommended this filter by a more experienced hiker. Went hiking with a group of 7 hikers. While all the hikers that had the pump filters were working themselves to death after a long day of hiking. I filled one bag, hung it on a tree branch and ate a snack for a couple of minutes and my water was ready to go. Simple.
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Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
I bought this when it first came out. I see they got rid of the openable top on the clean bag, that's a plus. My only gripe is the ziploc is very difficult on mine to close and open, but with never having to pump, it's a godsend. I will have to see if I can upgrade my clean water bag to the new design.
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Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
Did 600+ miles in the Sierras last year with this filter and it worked perfect. It's easy to use and it kept enough water available for 4 or 5 people all the time.
Used the clean and dirty bags as hydration reservoirs also in the Grand Canyon in Jan 2013. Carried enough water for 4 people to dry camp 1 night. Awesome filter!!
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
I have used this everywhere from the mountains of New Mexico to the jungles of India. It is a bit bulky but great for basecamp use. I will be leading a backpacking trip for over 30 college students in the spring and we will definitely be carrying these.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
At the time that I bought this system, I had been considering one of the many pump style filters on the market. One of my backpacking friends suggested that I purchased a gravity-based system. Having used the product, I am pleased with what I bought.
Here is what I liked about it:
-- 4 ltr capacity of clean water bag. I used this system after a long day on the trail, at a camp site where the water source was not nearby. It was nice to make one trip to the water source and get all the water we needed for cooking, cleaning, and replenishing our water bottles. The 4 ltr clean water capacity is especially nice if you are hiking with a group...this way only one person has to carry the water filter and there is enough clean water for everyone's needs.
-- Dispensing the clean water out of the tube. This is handy because you can dispense the water as you need it. Put a little in a pan for cooking, use a little for cleanup, then fill water bottles as needed. The tube feature also allows you to re-fill water bottles of a variety of sizes, whereas some pump filters require you to use a proprietary size bottle opening.
-- Easy to use. You fill the dirty water reservoir, unclip the pinch valve on the hose, and then gravity does all the work. 4 minutes later you have a large supply of clean water for use at camp.
While I am pleased overall with this product, here are the minor drawbacks in my opinion.
-- Price. It is a bit expensive compared to what you get, but then again there are not many "inexpensive" water filtration systems on the market.
-- Bulk. It is a bit bulky once you roll up the tubes, filter, and bags into the mesh storage sack.
-- Drying out the clean water bag. Once I got home, I had difficulty getting all the moisture out of the clean water bag. It finally got all out when I put a plastic funnel in the spout of the bag and put the funnel end in front of a floor fan for several hours. This finally dried it out.
I am a casual / recreational backpacker. Functionality and ease of use are the qualities that have driven my satisfaction with this product. It has worked well for me so far and I am looking forward to using it again on future trips.
Pros
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Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
I'm going to keep this short and simple, this product works just as advertised. It is a very simple design, so there really isn't any hidden secret's here. Sure it can probably be smaller and lighter, but it really works very well and it's about as easy to use as it gets. If I had to say something negative I would say the zip-lock closure on the dirty bag is difficult to close when the bag gets even the slightest bit cold. But other then that it is a great product.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
I have used the GravityWorks on two backpacking trips in the Sierras and it is fantastic! Why didn't someone think of this sooner? I have had four previous pump filters, each one an improvement on the previous one, but this is a revolution in filtering; no pumping! Scoop the water in the dirty bag, hook up the filter and clean bag, hang it, and wait for clean water! You don't have to wait long either, as long as, there are no bubbles in the filter hoses. Air in the lines slows or stops the process, but it is easy to get the bubbles out with a bit of squeezing and lifting of the clean bag hose before you attach it. When clear of bubbles, the flow rate is surprisingly fast. Since there is no pumping you can do something else during the filtering. How cool is that! Be aware, since there is no prefilter, you will need to strain heavy debris filled water through something like a screen or T-shirt (preferably someone else's T-shirt) before you fill the dirty bag. This is easy to do. Just loosely stretch a T-shirt over the dirty bag opening and pour the water through it with a cup or pot. Remember, the pouring device may then have water kooties, so you have to sterilize it or bag it and isolate it from then on.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter:
Just got back from 5 Nights in the Porcupine Mountains, MI..5 adults and one teen..Everyone had filters but when I used this for the first time that was it..Everyone used this filter..First few nights we were on a Creek and the last nights at Mirror Lake..At the lake I put on the Carbon Element for taste..It did slow the flow down but still all you have to do is walk away and do something else.We used this for all of our water , drinking, hydration packs, cooking etc..And for the Dude that used this for Car Camping and gives a bad review, Really ,car camping..I also have a brand new Mini Works and never took it out..And what we really want from Platypus is, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK..
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