This is a great filter with excellent wear; the filtering action even removes various unpleasant tastes. The only drawbacks: you have to clean it often to get decent water flow, and the ceramic element is fragile -- if you go backpacking with it, take along some iodine tabs (in case the Katadyn breaks) and hope you don't encounter Cryptospyridium.

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Pur Voyageur

I use the Pocket during my summer job as a backcountry park ranger with N.P.S. Although this filter is heavy at 22oz and cleaning could be easier, i still like it alot. Its burley, easily packs, pumping is easy when you get used to itand it will make any and every water source safe to drink, also the life of the filter is incredibly long, its the last filter you'd ever have to buy. I use the parks filter during the summer but im planning on buying one when i start travelling abroad more, and when i scratch together the $250 to buy one.

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Katadyn Expedition, Sweetwater walkabout, MSR Waterworks, 1st need.

Katadyn makes first rate stuff unfortunately at a first rate price. The pocket filter goes for 300 $CDN. This is a hefty price but it's in the cateogory of ""You get what you pay for"". On the plus side it works well, I haven't been hit with a dose while using it. It works against small bacteria .2 microns. And the filter is washable. The max rate of a litre per minute is acceptable. It's exceptionally reliable and the only downside is the price. But when it comes to removing hostile bacteria from your water do you really want to cut cost?

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This filter SUCKS!!!! Its only possible redeeming factor, is that, yes, it will get your water clean. But inless your going to be drinking water tht you can see the cows piss into, this is a BIG waste of money. The listed max rate is 1 litre per minute, but the real rate is closer to half that. You will get an excellent bicep workout pumping this thing, and the handle is so small it digs into your hand. My advice: DO NOT BUY THIS THING.

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I have done a lot of research on filters and tested a few at REI and in the field. Yes, the Katadyn is a bit slower and takes more effort, but if you want the best of the best, the most tested, most reliable, field cleanable, almost-indestructible water filter, then the Katadyn is it. The last thing you want when coming back from the field or on a world trip is to be sick. Water is life and if you want the insurance of clean water, go with the Katadyn. Pay the extra money for a superior product.
The fact that the pocket filter is only a water filter and not a 'purifier' scared me a bit at first. How can I protect myself from viruses? But as you do more research and understand the durability and the fact that the Katadyn filters down a full micron more (.2 vs. .3) than most filters, you understand that this is really all you need. If you are really scared, use an iodine or chlorine tablet in the water as well. If I knew there was a chance of viruses, I wouldn't trust my health to one of the plastic fast-slow models anyway.
The construction of this device is unbelievable. Huge ceramic filter, stainless steel components, high quality casing, field cleanable. Its no wonder this filter has been around for 50 years with few modifications. Go to their website to read the extensive world testing that has been done on this filter http://www.katadyn.ch/technologie/testing.history.html.
Great product.

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PUR, MSR

I bought mine in Berkeley in the late 70's and used it on an 8 month bicycle trip from San Jose CA to the Panama Canal. Not only that, but I've been using it ever since, on a number of trips each year and it works great. This filter, tho not the easiest to use, certainly has longivity. Great filter, and with care, will last as long as you need it.

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Outstanding-- the cadillac of filters, I've used it all over the U.S.-- from Montana glacial melts to the silty Colorado River at Grand Canyon and overseas to Hawaii, Korea, Honduras, Germany and Cambodia.

Frankly, a lot of the cheaper "high speed" models scare me. Too many parts, too many recalls.

I don't like "repair" kits nor 1-800 numbers, if the thing works, it works. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. This thing has been made for years-- the "gold standard" of water filters.

It's very rugged and filtered a lot of _very_ nasty water for me all over the world. Staying healthy in adverse environments is tough enough without drinking contaminated water.

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Bought at REI outlet and got a great price, but noticed it isn't there anymore. :( I'm just now starting to try it out, but I have found the mechanics and engineering to be very impressive. It takes me about 2.5 minutes to fill my 1L nalgene. Pumping gets easier once you realize that by pumping harder or faster you won't speed things up. I'm extremely happy with my purchase, and don't think I will be sporting a much bigger bicep at the end of the summer like some of the other readers suggest! In short, I'm glad I went with the BMW model instead of the plastic cheapie Geo, carrying the extra few ounces of weight is worth it.

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None used in the field, but I tested several at the REI store.

I find this to be a great filter. It is a little heavier than I would like, but it is built tough and will take dropping. I had this unit for some time, and actually didn't use it. I bought another well known brand and used it for years. I just started using the Katadyn, and will now stick with it. I don't know why some people complain that it is slow or hard to pump? The other best seller seems to take forever to use.

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Do you like those cheapy little corner store flashlights or a maglite?

This is the maglite of water filters. Appears to be turned out of a solid block of aircraft aluminum with METAL parts.How would you feel if you dropped your little plastic filter on that smooth rock by the stream and busted it?

The 15 minutes you will spend boiling 1 litre of water and cooling it down for your platypus will seem like nothing compared to the 50 seconds in the Katadyn. Quality is a bargain.

You can gather I am real happy with mine. It is a precision tool and built to survive. I have had it a long time.

This is the one that James Bond uses.

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