STERIPEN ULTRA MANUAL Pdf Download | ManualsLib Squinting at directions on the tiny bottle that had no dropper function? When I use a Steripen, I have an old Platypus bottlethat I repurposed as a dipping and treatment cup. However, its really important that you use it correctly. Warm up the batteries, it ran fine. HJ, Please return it to Steripen. It consists of a 2% chlorine dioxide solution (part A) that is activated by phosphoric acid (part B). Home Depot (of all places) carries Sure Fire brand for a much better price than many of the other places around where I live. In addition I use #2 coffee filters for times when the water may have some solids floating in it like bugs, leaves, etc. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team. Adventure mode, on the other hand, will last around 10-12 days. Its been reliable for me, and I dont see the scoop as a hassle. no repair is possible if a bulb burns out? If you want to use SteriPEN in the backcountry, Id recommend using it along with a cheap filter like the Sawyer Mini. My current but no longer used is the HikerPro. Didnt need to wait for the recharge to finish. Tip: dump the Sawyer bags and get Vecto bags so much easier to fill and use for groups. We included a video to show each of the three technologies used in the field. For example, water filters which can remove viruses are usually reallllly slow and clog easily. Sunday,Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday, January,February,March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November,December. 2023 Katadyn Products Inc. All rights reserved. It's time for the Water Treatment BATTLE ROYALE! Although you may have never heard of UV water treatment, you have probably benefited from it. Two years of use with no problems. 4 Reasons to Travel Light. Charge using a solar panel, wall plug in, or your computer. Jim, glad you got it going. DISCONTINUED. You can get the MSR Guardian here. (1 L) in 90 seconds. Ultimate SteriPEN Review: Options, Instructions, and How It Compares to Other Purifiers, Your email address will not be published. The Hiker Pro also has a fairly short cartridge life of just 200 gallons (less if the water is really murky). Like with the SteriPEN, tablets wont remove sediment, bad taste, or chemicals. Ill already be recharging a camera on the go, so adding a Steripen isnt a big deal. Yeah, its a little expensive but so simple to use no mix, no mess. (Daily flushing really is the key to sustained performance.) This is all the more true when a dense itinerary forces us to move often from one accommodation to another. I think that was the heaviest duty use of a Steripen I ever saw. Ive been using a Steripen Classic 3 and/or Ultralight model for over 3 years now. I do use a Steripen Classic3 when I need to treat water. You can buy the SteriPEN here. Get the Newsletter They are very good about replacing the unit for you, at least. You can attach a Sawyer Squeeze directly to a Smartwater bottle. They can get a bit dirty, a pencil eraser works well to clean them. The LifeStraw water filter might look cool, but its completely impractical to use in real life. The Red-Cross-branded ones on eBay have crept up in price, but might still among the cheaper options: I just posted a link. (You know, like on Amazon when you want to know more so you click on the video and its complete crap.Here at Eff-You corp were making great strides to provide you the customer with the most up to date.. Or a cute young person in khakis stands at a table and talks about this piece of back-country gear.) I didnt care to much for the Classic, though. Its time for the Water Treatment BATTLE ROYALE! HJ, Yup. I just returned it. Bbetween0.5-1L(16-32fl.oz.) I used the Sawyer Squeeze the past 2 summers for week long scout high adventure trips to Boundary Waters and Isle Royale. It only gets intermittent use but still going strong. I have used it for years without problems. This is because tap water is considerably purer than water from a stream or river, and lacks the sediments and minerals found in nature. Is there a way to confirm that the bulb is burned out and its not some other problem? 3 Easy Steps SteriPEN Freedom treats a 0.5L (16 oz.) We opted for the Squeeze over the Micro based on guidance from an AT thru hiker who said it was worth the extra ounce for the performance of the squeeze. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. Amazon affiliate links to my camera gear:Panasonic. Im surprised Katadyn hasnt adopted them already. The other downside of the Sawyer Mini is that it takes forever to filter. Ultralight Water Treatment Options for Backpacking Simple, light, and the only thing that can realistically break it is by freezing it. Its very light (< 0.5 oz!) Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. For short trips, I like a BeFree, because I dont have to worry about clogging (and it will clog). However, viruses are becoming more common in backcountry water because of overcrowding and people going to the bathroom near water sources (follow Leave No Trace, people!!!). Maybe. The thing that concerns me about Steripens and filters is, how do you know for certain theyre working? This would be better on the go. And its very effective against all three, and it works fast. I used Aquatabs for the rest of the trip. I love my steri-pens and have used them 90% of the time in the last decade with fantastic results, BUT their customer service is THE WORST EVER. So, I guess you have to have just really really strong batteries with the darned thing. It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Over time, the investment pays off though since the filter lasts so long. SteriPEN Ultra Review | Tested by GearLab Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads. The green indicator light came on, but it would flash red after a few seconds. That ends up being around $0.23 per gallon plusthe initial cost of the filter. SteriPEN water purifiers use a germicidal UV light to disinfect water, killing 99.9999% of bacteria and leaving no aftertaste. These commissions help us provide authors with honoraria, fund our editorial projects, podcasts, instructional webinars, and more, and we appreciate it a lot! For a long hike PCT, AT, etc (or a big group), Id lean towards a modern in-line filter and/or gravity system to avoid one more device needing recharging and the possibility of some aspect of recharging going awry. If you suspect that your water source is contaminated with the latter, consider combining Aquamira with a filtration method (below) or use a. Aquamira dosing can be halved (3-4 drops per liter each of parts A and B) if you double the treatment time to 30-60 minutes. Even my local Walmart doesnt carry them. Never used the Steripen again. 3 Good Options. New WEBINAR Thu July 13 @ 7 PM US MDT: How to Pitch an Ultralight Tent. has always worked perfectly for me. But at least it isnt broken. It was a bit larger and it seemed to be a bit more fragile due to its sizenot something I was real comfortable with in the woods. I keep coming back to my Steripen. One cool thing is that SteriPEN only turns on if it detects water. Hydration & Filtration Water Purifiers Currently unavailable. Wait five minutes for the solution to activate - it turns bright yellow. I carry a battery pack on longer trips so I can recharge the Steripen (as well as my headlamp, smartphone, and inReach Mini). Push on/off button twice for up to 0.5L, or once for 0.5 - 1L of water, the green LED will flash for 15 seconds indicating that the SteriPEN is ready to use. Sawyer means keeping segregated "dirty" and "clean" containers. No mixing. I pop fresh batteries in before an outing, meaning I usually have a supply of used batteries on my return. The SteriPEN then destroys viruses. I used Steripens for 4-5 years. OK, you could get UV LEDs which emitted a microwatt or two, but they were quite useless for our needs. Ive been using Aquamira drops since the mid 2000s but would love something better. My first trip with my new classic 3 was not a success. I know that the unit will shut off if not fully submerged. They can handle it and you will have a new one. The keyword here is deactivate. , sounds like it should last 3-4 days w/o too much problem then- hmmmmm :). For me, its been more reliable than a Katadyn BeFree filter! Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Water Purification vs. Filtration: 0:59Chemical Purification: 2:06UV Purification: 5:00Pump Filters: 6:39Gravity Filters: 9:27Bottle Filters: 10:58 Potable Aqua Iodine: https://www.rei.com/product/407071/potable-aqua-iodine-tabletsAquamira Chlorine Dioxide: https://www.rei.com/product/866996/aquamira-water-treatment-1-ozKatadyn Steripen Ultra UV Purification: https://www.rei.com/product/847549/katadyn-steripen-ultra-uv-water-purifierMSR MiniWorks EX Pump Filter: https://www.rei.com/product/695265/msr-miniworks-ex-water-filterMSR Guardian Purifier*: https://www.rei.com/product/891193/msr-guardian-purifierMSR Trail Base Gravity Filter: https://www.rei.com/product/130188/msr-trail-base-gravity-water-filter-systemKatadyn BeFree Water Bottle Filter: https://www.rei.com/product/116364/katadyn-befree-collapsible-water-filter-bottle-338-fl-oz I also have used different models of Steripen while traveling in countries where the water is suspect. The biggest problem they have really, the ONLY problem, is finding suitable UV LEDs. It uses 4 AA batteries and I always use lithium (for the Steripen, not for me). Steripen says A pocket-sized. I like the Steripen. Systems which can remove chemicals require expensive cartridges which have to be changed frequently. Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! You can buy the Sawyer Mini here. Warranty Statement. In fact, we often find such a little stop to be part of the day. I like the fact that I dont have to get my hands wet and freezing cold as opposed to most filters, not to mention the super-annoying diminished flow factor of filters. By the end of the trip we quit using the Steripen because MicroPur was so much simpler. Instead of a pump, you attach a squeeze filter to a soft or otherwise semi-flexible water bottle and squeeze the bottle to push the water through the filter. Treat up to 20 liters of water on a single charge from its high quality USB rechargeable battery which holds charge for months so it is ready when you need it. But when you do, the Steripen works well. Directions for Use 40 C.F.R. Login or become a member to post in the member forums! Some (but not all) of the links in this article may be affiliate links. Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. For shorter trips, repackage Aquamira parts A and B into. (0.5 L) in less than a minute, or treat 32 fl. Required fields are marked *, Best Portable Power Stations for Camping (With Comparison Table), List of Cheap Ultralight Backpacking Gear (11lbs Base Weight for Under $600), Pregnancy and Babywearing Jackets for Hiking or Cold Weather? Advantages of LED should include better battery life, slightly more compact size, and no mercury. We'll send you a PDF that includes our recommendations for chemical, filtration, and electronic water treatment gear/supplies. Stripen Ultralight UV Water Purifier | UK - Ultralight Outdoor Gear SteriPEN exceeds U.S. EPA standards for a "microbiological water purifier," destroying over 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses, and 99.9% of protozoa when used as directed. By the way, my understanding is that lithium based rechargeable batteries should be kept as fully charged as possible to prolong battery life. I just think that both sets of batteries were old and run down. How it works: Mix a few drops of part A with a few drops of part B (typically seven drops of each per liter of water you want to treat) in a small mixing cup. I had an Opti and had similar problem. Now, she takes her own daughters on wilderness adventures so they can connect with nature and learn resiliency. Trying to decide whether to lay out the money for the newest UL automatic start/stop USB-rechargeable model. and folds flat, so I can keep both the Steripen and the old Platy cup handy in my accessory pouchwithout taking off my pack. Ultra user here. Even teens (i.e., boy scouts) cant screw it up. I think Ryan validated my thoughts on Aqua Mira vs just tabs; I dont see the infatuation with it- its heavier, bulkier and clearly a lot more fuss than throwing a tab in a bottle. Every Way to FILTER WATER in the Backcountry! - YouTube Steripen handles viruses (good for world travellers). Sometimes I have to relearn to use it after a long winter, and I always think its failing, then realize its user error. 1 . Effect: Eliminates bacteria, protozoa and viruses, Battery: Internal USB Rechargeable Lithium-Ion. Well host a Live Facebook Q&A on the topic of backcountry water treatment this morning at 11 AM US Mountain Time. DMs comments on Steri-Pens TOTAL lack of customer service is bad. On the plus side, chemicals dont cause travelers diarrhea like bacteria, protozoa, and viruses do, so using SteriPEN will spare you that terrible ordeal! Just be prepared to pay more over the long run since you need to replace the cartridges so frequently. ); it always works as long as I use Lithium batteries. In clear water the SteriPEN will destroy over 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa. Diane Vukovic grew up camping and backpacking in upstate New York. The Ultralight UV SteriPEN can come in handy when your other filters fail. In my opinion, the SteriPEN Ultra (get it here) is the best version because it can be recharged via USB. As you would probably expect with such a cheap water filter, there are plenty of downsides. We chose these three for their diversity and efficacy, and they include a chemical method, a physical method, and an electro-ultraviolet method. It takes AA Lithiums, and really lasts well on them. That is why they can work down to about -40 C. I have had lithium AA batteries run out of juice, but so far I have never seen one leak. This feature makes it impossible for you to accidentally blast yourself with UV light. Like you my preferred water bottle is a Gatorade bottle, which of course doesnt work well with a filter or steripen. Anyone use a Steripen? : r/Ultralight - Reddit So the SteriPEN ends up being a much better value over the long run. I ran both sets of batteries through a battery tester when I got home. The ultraviolet lamp will turn on and the green LED indicator light will start to flash after the UltraLight has been submerged for about 2 seconds. The purpose of this article is to present three ultralight water treatment options for backpacking. Didnt mind the taste at all. For day hikes and 4-day trips, I really like my rechargeable SteriPen. If it doesn't work we don't stock it. Somehow, I knew youd have some dope on the progress. Fortunately the potential market for these is huge (low-cost water purification for the world) and the hamsters have been spinning their wheels hard. A compact UV water purifier perfect for travel, emergency preparedness or anytime. Chemicals require a wait, especially if crypto is a concern, but I have them as a backup and I use them to treat water overnight. I carry mine in an ultralight belly pack (like, 2 ounces) along with my lunch and a map. Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) How Reliable Are Steripens? Couldnt find a specific spec for battery life but did get this on a search for battery life larq adventure mode, The UV-C technology built into the lid, eradicates up to 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses in Adventure Mode, meaning you can sterilize water found in streams while out hiking for example. Estes Park, Colorado, and my backyard trails are in the Rockies of Southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. If you are dealing with really dangerous water viruses and chemicals in addition to the standard bacteria and protozoa then you will likely need to combine two water treatment methods. SteriPen and during an office day, continually treat and retreat the same cup of water, counting (tick marks on a piece of paper) how many cycles I get. I got one of the big, early models one that took 4 AA batteries. Ive had to mess with mine to convince the sensor that yes, it really was immersed. Its a very expensive initial investment. Sell on Amazon VIDEOS SteriPen Aqua UV Water Purifier Brand: SteriPen 4.2 310 ratings | 24 answered questions Currently unavailable. My experience with rechargeable batteries is that they last a few years and then dont really hold a charge thereafter (depending on use and care. Of course, the disadvantage is that its a battery-operated electronic device and is subject to all the failures of such devices when youre in the backcountry. Like Mike (and many others), I carry tablets as a back-up, regardless of what my primary means of treating water is. I chose this model because I could take backup batteries so we always had power. Steripen Ultralight turns itself off once ultraviolet treatment is complete; it can be used up to 8,000 times. The only failure I recall was my own failure to charge the darn thing prior to leaving home. Some tablets take over 30 minutes to treat viruses. I am using brand name batteries (Duracell, Energizer, and now Sure Fire). 0:00 / 2:58 How to use your SteriPEN Tahoe Mountain Sports 1.76K subscribers Subscribe 31K views 11 years ago See how easy it is to use your SteriPEN ultraviolet water treatment system for. oz. These are the best and longest lasting non-rechargeable lithium batteries out there and their price reflects that. Steripen - Katadyn Group A few years ago I got sick using a probably dysfunctioning 2 year old MSR filter and Aquamira but using it wrong. The Ultralight Travel Gear for Packing as Light as Possible We used the same filters both summers. Katadyn SteriPEN Ultra UV Water Purifier Review It is incredibly lightweight. RRP: 74.99. That makes for easy access while hiking. 3. The green LED light will flash for the entire treatment. Except for terrific articles like this one almost all the information on these systems is PR happy talk. I havent been back out with the lithium batteries yet, so hopefully they work better. Steripen Ultra UV water purifier is our flagship model with our most advanced user interface featuring a user-friendly OLED display (Organic Light Emitting Diode). Currently, my two favorite bottles are a peanut butter jar (1.5 oz) that holds .5L of water and a Planters Peanut jar (1.6 oz) that holds .75 L. Either is easily retrieved and replaced into the the bottom side pocket of my Mariposa without taking off the pack. The third option I want to discuss is an ultraviolet (UV) light pen, specifically the Katadyn Steripen Ultralight. Im a devoted steripen user but for 1st time i am going where tapeworm eggs are a reality, so i must find a filter that doesnt take forever or weigh much, Your comment *
Compact, lightweight at only 2.6 oz. SteriPEN UV Water Purifier including classic, journey and Steripen Adventurer OPTI. I hate the wait (both for the mix and the water treatment) and the taste, which is noticeably worse in some water then others for whatever reason. It turns on automatically as soon as you dip the Steripens lamp below the waterline of your treatment container. 69.99. How Far In Advance Do You Need to Plan a Camping Trip? Steripen Ultralight. (That is an over-simplification, but it is close enough. There are a lot of different purifiers, but SteriPEN is one of the best options. I dont keep track of numbers of liters or anything like that. If you click on one of these links and visit one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently place an order with that retailer, we receive a small commission. 156.10(i)(2)(II). My SteriPen Ultra was 100% reliable for about 3 years of use over 4 seasons. If I know Im going to walk over a creek soon, I can create my premix, stow the cup in my pocket, and then its activated and ready to pour in my bottle by the time I reach the creek. About SteriPEN. To the best of my knowledge there are now not one but two companies in the world claiming to be able to supply UV LEDs in the high 250 nm region with power approaching something useful. Easy to use, one-button operation provides 8,000 treatments producing up to 8,000 liters of purified water. The green LED light will flash for the entire treatment. Theres always going to be a tradeoff. Product Information Specifications Downloads Description The smallest and lightest model of the Steripen series is the UltraLight, which can be used to treat 1L per application. Unlike water filters, the SteriPEN doesn't actually remove the pathogens. Login or become a member to post in the member forums! That could corrode the shell and leak everywhere. If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. Low battery indicator lights will let you know when to recharge your bottle., Thanks for this. I did pick up a Steripen Adventurer Opti used for cheap last year to try a Steripen again but of course it only works with wide mouth (Nalgene style) bottles so I havent used it on anything other then some dayhikes. Simply stir in clear water (cold or warm) and purifier 16 fl. I had several failures with the lamps and all I wanted was a repair for this hundred dollar item and sent them videos of the failure to perform in action and got NO RESPONSE AT ALL. This year, I went back to using my Steripen Adventurer with a wide-mouth bottle.