Review Date
August 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Nicholas Yu(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Price Paid:  $150.00 at ebay

Summary:
I finally got to test this thing out, it worked amazingly. I even had to lend my filter to another using an MSR pump b/c his broke on his trek.
I have no complaints.

Customer Service:
Havnt had to use it

Similar Products Used:
MSR,PUR

Review Date
July 12, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: novus777(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Eastern US

Price Paid:  $35.00 at ebay

Summary:
Used during a week long excursion to Vermont's Long Trail.
Pros: sturdy construction, extremely simple to clean and maintain. Uses no chemicals so the water is not foul tasting.
Cons: heavy, and bulky. Harder to pump than Pur Hiker (Katadyn hiker) and I don't think the water output is as much. All metal construction conducted the cold water freezing my hands.
Conclusion: This filter may be sturdy and dependable but I'm glad I didn't pay the full price on this.

Customer Service:
Never used

Similar Products Used:
PUR Voyageur (Katadyn Hiker)

Review Date
June 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: gregoneil(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from neewport ri usa

Price Paid:  $125.00 at factory direct

Summary:
My Katadyn was part of the gear supplied to an expedition to Peru in the mid 1980s. It is virtually identical to the ones sold today, adequate testimony to the perfection of design. I have used it regularly since then, and am now on the second ceramic filter unit. The filter has made drinkable water from sources that ranged from nearly clean anyway to so disgusting you didn't want to even be near it. I have never been sick from bad water, and have taken up the habit of filtering nearly all the water I drink whenever I am at the fringes of civilization. When the filter needs cleaning I pump a liter or two of water to rinse everything, and then run another liter through it afterwards. Apart from cleaning the filter, maintenance consists of keeping the valves lubricated and the O-rings clean. I have had to replace the rubber tubes, which tend to crack at the hose barb. For several years I got by merely cutting the cracked part off but finally the hose became to short. It is my indispensable companion.

Customer Service:
Typically Swiss: always good, always quick.

Similar Products Used:
have been with people using other varieties of water filters but they all said they would have bought a Katadyn if it weren't so much more expensive.

Review Date
March 10, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: Dave Chang(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Toronto, ON, Canada

Price Paid:  $270.00 at MEC

Summary:
I bought this product for $50 after cashing my gift cards in. This is the best Water filter on the market, nothing will come close to it. Look if you are going to buy a water filter other then The Katadyn's classic Pocket Filter lets just say you just wasted your money ha ha... sucka!

Customer Service:
I lost the clip to the water filter, called the 1 800 CS they are sending another free for charge.

Similar Products Used:
you are wishing...
it's not going to happen...

Review Date
December 30, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Chaiwallah(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Cotswold UK

Summary:
An unbelievable filter far far far outstripping others in the field. I have used my filter for over a year solid in Africa - with almost daily usage. And on and off for extended trips (India, Pakistan, Middle East, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal - the list goes on) for the past five years. Oh and it has been borrowed by many others in between. During such extensive and intensive usage i have yet to have any problems or faults with the filter - the peripherals such as the cleaning pad have required replacement (any fine sand/glass paper works well enough in any case) but the filter itself has functioned effectively throughout - never had a single problem with the water drunk from this device. Water ranged from relatively clean streams and pools, to downright filthy/infested ponds and puddles. The requirement for iodine supplementation is inevitable in areas where viruses are an issue - but thats health information that can be furnished by locals and/or as part of your trip preparation.

Filtration speed isnt such an issue for me, and cleaned regularly it doesnt require much effort to use. Cleaning itself is also simple - a few minutes will suffice.

Filter lifespan is phenomenal - replacement of my ceramic element was required not due to wearing out (est at 60000 ltrs) but rather as a result of falling 20 metres off a mountain side DURING cleaning when it is taken out of its plastic sheath! I suspect that a drop with the cover would have left it intact! It was only about half 'used up'.

Overall this is an excellent device, its not everyday that you buy a filter - and given this ones durability it may well outlast you, so spending that extra money for the one off lifetime purchase is worth it!

Customer Service:
If there is a drawback and this applies mainly to UK residents, it is that the replacement parts are a pain to find. Many UK outlets do not carry the replacements and i was reduced to ordering them from abroad - USA with the associated costs. I imagine that should the UK parts supplier decide to have a larger web presence then even this wont be an issue.

Similar Products Used:
MSR II - not such a bad buy with the lower cost, (both are as effective as the other in operation - though i like the smoothness of the katadyns) but if your looking for a once off buy the Katadyn is