IVE HAD MY FIRST NEED PUMP FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER CLEAN TASTING WATER. I'VE REPLACED THE FILTER TWICE FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE WATER WAS STILL BAD. TIME FOR SOMTHING NEW.

Customer Service

NO SIR I DIDN'T LIKE IT! ONLY GAVE IT A STAR ON BOTH BECAUSE I COULDN'T GIVE A ZERO

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PUR SCOUT, JUST BOUGHT A PUR EXPLORER

I had one of the 1st generation models, and my girlfriend had one of the 2nd genration. They both seemed to do the job, but after a couple of quarts raw water would leak out the top of the pump and run all over. Nalgene bottles screw into the bottom, but it can be challenging to keep the cap out of the way of the leaking raw water. My pump was sealed, but I opened my girlfriends' and the O-ring was fine, it just leaks. Since taking up canyon hiking a few years ago, I have been getting paranoid about it plugging up in the middle of a trip. You can't really field clean it. I now have a different brand (MSR-still in the box).

Customer Service

I contacted General Ecology, and they said that they had improved the design, but did not consider it a warranty isssue. They offered me 25% off on a whole new unit, but all I was looking for was a pump that did not leak. My girlfriend returned hers for her money back. Since mine is an older model, I returned mine for a $20 credit, which I applied to a different brand of filter. I am much less happy with the customer service than the actual filter.

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None

I have the older, two-piece incarnation of this filter. Generally, I've been quite happy with it -- it's certainly a great product for the price. That said, there are some worrisome aspects. First, there's no way to inspect the filter element. This hasn't been a problem, but... Also, the connection from the pump leaks where it connects to the filter cartridge unless you pump v-e-r-y slowly. This means you have to hold the filter at an angle, so the leakage will drip to the ground instead of into the filtered water. With the older model, this makes filtering a two-person operation -- it looks easier with the new model. All filters I've tried have had some problems, so these aren't fatal ones, but you need to be aware of them. I've used this filter all over the US, and it saved me from hauling glass water jugs in Mexico.

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PUR; small amount of exterience with Sweetwater and MSR.

I bought this filter 9 years ago and have used it each and every year -- averaging 2-3 weeks of use. It took some getting used to, as it is not easy to hold the pump and the bottle at the same time (lots of folks say this filter is best suited for an octopus!) I use Gatorade bottles -- the indentations in the bottles give me a good hold and so I have done away with this problem. I like that I can do field cleaning -- it's pretty simple to do. I updated to the deluxe model (add-on component) a few years back and now only rarely have to backwash in the field. I really like the specs for its filtering/purifying capabilities compared with most other filters. It's a bit heavy; I use it for group (trailwork) hikes and everyone really appreciates it.

Customer Service

My lack of clogging got me comments from others that the "innards" were likely to be cracked, thus permitting free flow of water -- but no "filtering!!" At this scary thought, I brought it to a trusted dealer who disassembled it and gave me the "all-clear" -- it was intact and working as it should. Not being able to inspect the cartridge (is it?) inside, myself, is a drawback.

Not just a filter, but a non-chemical purifier. The First Need Deluxe removes all the nasties safely without adding toxic chemicals to your water. The pump unit is high volume, attaches to Nalgene bottles and dromedary bags (two sizes). The filter has a self-cleaning prefilter on the input hose. My filter has often been the last one working during long trips when others have failed miserably.

Customer Service

In 6 years of using First Need products I have never had a pump failure, or had to call customer service. The pump is field servicable. The filter canister is sealed to keep the bugs and you separated.

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Pur Scout, Pur Hiker, MSR Waterworks.

I have mixed feelings about this filter. The filtered water does taste great, but I've had numerous clog problems. Even with a new filter, the pumping mechanism is more awkward and difficult than my friends' filters. Also, the pump's pretty heavy and less packable than some.

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None

The First Need Deluxe does everything I could want in a water purifier -- with no hassles, no problems and no chemicals. Simple to use and fast! Filters down to 0.1 micron -- best tasting water around. You don't hear a lot about this company, but they make a great product!!

Customer Service

None needed.

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Tried iodine and chlorine (military) products . . . did a little research and First Need was the one to buy.

I have the older model with an additional prefilter. I have used it a few times and has worked well for me. It is a little clunky compared to the pur ones I have used. Even with the prtefilter, I got large particles of sand in the pump. It is very field cleanable, however, and with some food dye, it is easy to test the filter canister. It also gets hard to pump quickly. The water tastes good.

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pur voyager

I've carried First Need water filter on hikes on the AT in the Southeast, areas that receive alot of traffic. I've found the system easy to use and produces the water needed for a group of 3-4. Much easier and better tasting than boiling or tablets. The package is compact enough to fit in my side pocket with a Nagene bottle.

Bought this filter/purifier at REI Sacramento for all my hiking trips to Yosemite. It worked out great! Best tasting water ever. None of that chemical treated junk It servered our groups just fine. Each group was typically 4-8 ppl. For around $70, this item is a great value and life saver! You should see the faces of all those poor folks that didn't bring any enough water and how apprecaitive they are as they watch and taste that water comming out of FN Deluxe. I highly recommand this handy item.

Customer Service

I lost the instructions to maintain FN Delux, so I fired off an e-mail to GE Inc. to see if they had instructions posted on the net, instead they sent me the instructions ASAP. Awesome!

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Chemicals and luck