Katadyn Explorer

Review Date
August 8, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Rob(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Mesa, AZ

Price Paid:  $100.00 at internet

Summary:
I have used my explorer many times backpacking and I love it. No problems and pumps so much faster than the other filters I have tried. Have never had a problem with it clogging up, and the cleaning mechanism seems to work fine.

Similar Products Used:
MSR-- small, but take too long to pump water.

Review Date
January 12, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Tyler Olson(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Leesburg VA

Price Paid:  $100.00 at REI

Summary:
This is a great filter. I have used and abused this thing to death and only recently have I had any problems with its durability. This thing is built like a brick s-house and unfortunately weighs as much as one. The upper handle cracked and fell apart on me on a recent excursion but customer service is amazing. I dropped PUR an email and they sent the replacment parts "no questions asked" and free of charge.

Customer Service:
Outstanding customer service. A true "no questions asked policy". Increases the value of this item three fold.

Similar Products Used:
Sweetwater Guardian - bad as a filter, good spraying the hell out of you

Review Date
September 12, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: JEFF(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from LOGAN

Price Paid:  $105.00 at REI

Summary:
THE WATER TASTES GREAT. THE PUMP IS EASY TO USE AND THEN CLEAN. I HAVE USED IT IN WATER THAT WAS GUARANTEED TO HAVE GIARDIA AND E. COLI, ALONG WITH WHO KNOWS WHAT, WITHOUT A HITCH. FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL, I WOULD PICK UP THE NEW HEAD ATTACHMENT BEFORE LEAVING. CONTACT THE PUR SITE FOR DETAILS ASAP. BUT FOR THE MOUNTAINS, ESPECIALLY WITH LARGE GROUPS, THIS PURIFIER IS WONDERFUL. AS FOR BREAKING TWO HANDLES, I WONDER IF THE HANDLE WAS POSITIONED PROPERLY FOR USE.I AM NOT A SMALL GUY AND HAVE NEVER HAD SO MUCH AS A TUG FROM PUMPING THE HANDLE. FOR A PURIFIER, THE MECHANISM IS SMOOTH AND FILTERING SPEEDY.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
June 15, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: walter weigel(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from poughkeepsie,ny,usa

Summary:
Great filter for groups, a bit to heavy for the single hiker. Had to filter from some very bug laden puddles last summer and had no problems at all. My only reccomendation is to wrap the prefilter with a coffee filter to extend the filters life($50).I have used through a filters full life +100 gallons in two years with no complaints.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
April 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Cathy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Gill, MA USA

Summary:
Very good product for the medium sized groups that I guide with in New England. If you're cutting weight or have weight issues this is not the lightest, but it is durable and has never failed us. We always carry an extra hose because it seems inevitable that with the extensive use we give it that the hose sometimes gets a hole in it and that can let in things that should not be there

Customer Service:
Has always been friendly and prompt.

Similar Products Used:
We have tried a half dozen other filters and purifiers and this one has been the cloud with the silver lining for us.