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.

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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.

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

Great filter well worth the cost we use it any time we go backpacking where there will be water present its alot easier to carry the filter than several gallons of water its easy to use and maintain.

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We used a sweetwater once and it got clogged up and soaked us so we ended up using iodine tablets

I have used the PUR Explorer with my local Scouts for about 3 years. It is great for large groups. Although a bit expensive, it has the liter output needed for a large group. Only problems have been with bad orings.

Customer Service

Had to trade in for a new pump after orings went bad. They traded evenly for a new one. Great service.

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Sweetwater, First Need, PUR Scout

This product has been great. You can drink water from the outlet of a sewage plant (thank goodness I haven't had to do that though). It puts out a good volume, and is suitable for extended hikes. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a hiking and travelling filter.

Customer Service

Have had no problems with the filter/pump to date so I have not dealt with customer service although I hear that it's excellent.

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I have had this filter for three years and I have no complaints. It has worked flawlessly in every type of water. The only negative is the iodine taste but that can be minimized with the carbon post treatment filter. Many people laughed at me when I bought this saying it was too much of a filter for where I go hiking. but my response is that I would rather have too much protection than not enough. Bottom line: a great filter, easy maintenance and clean up, and I have not been sick once.

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MSR Waterworks, Sweetwater filters

This is such a great step ahead of the tablets that I have always used in the past. It was easier to use than the other styles of my companions. It was the fastest one there. Plus it was very to backwash and restore to it's original flow.

I have taken the Explorer on several week-long backpack trips. The filter is easy to operate, the backflush mechanism is easy to use and has worked flawlessly, and the output volume is great whether its for day hikes or extended trips.

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My current favorite due to the fact I tend to go with groups and this filter has the best flow rate hands down (it pumps on both the up and down stroke) I use the carbon filter to kill the iodine aftertaste, my only complaint is I have problems with water leaking from the purge valve on the handle (the main problem is the water up here is so damn cold and when you pump out 10+ liters you almost get frostbite!) I have been using this filter since 1992

Customer Service

I have had my filter sent back twice for repairs(first was for clogging , and they had recently upgraded it and rplaced it no questions asked, and the second was after a 2 week canoe trip in which on 2 days from ending we broke the handle ""snap"" once again I called and the sent a replacement with instructions for its installation) the customer service is quick, courteous, they dont try to stick you with the problem. This is one of the best customer service teams I have ever dealt with.

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Pur scout, MSR waterworks, MSR miniworks, First need, Timberline, Katadyne, and of course boiling, tablets and bringing it from home or buying it at the store.

The filter works well, even when used in nasty water. The water tastes fine. The only down side is that you have to have a big set of arms to pump a gallon of water. All-in-all this is a good unit.

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