I'm with Mark Latham. This product is the best! Mark and I backpack together so much our wives are starting to think we're going to Brokeback Mountain. ha! But seriously this product is that good! and Mark is kinda cute! :)

Yeah its expensive, but quality is always a bargain.
Positives are build quality, quality of output, ease of maintenance and cleaning, pride in ownership, and for me, I have had it around long enough to trust it, 99 and 00 trips to jungle backwaters of Costa Rica. Negatives..heavy and a little slower than the competition..I also find the input tube questionable to clean, but other than this it is my first choice for water that I would let my kids drink..Cheers..

Customer Service

Parts, filter availability good.

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None

durable, field servicable (very imp. for remote locations with questionable h20supply-dirty, muddy, algaeladden alpine puddles),had mine for 10 yrs of reliable service. only bad point is that it pumps h20 slowly. be ready for pumping parties. this is not a quick pump when you're pumping large amounts for long treks to next water hole or for dinner, etc. bottom line: reliable, reliable, reliable and field serviceable and best tasting water, but slow and sltly heavy, initially expensive, but a very longlasting filter. you'll buy5-10 pur (or other good) filters in ten years for same work load.

Customer Service

good

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have second lightweight plastic throwaway type for epic backcountry mtn bike riding.

I have been backpacking for 25 years. I went through two first need water filters before upgrading. Yes it is more expensive, but, it has never once failed me. I find the flow rate the same as the first need.this one can be worked on in the field though. I highly recommend it.

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None

Katadyn is heavy, slow, and expensive. Takes three hands sometimes. Ceramic filter CAN crack, but I haven't been able to make it do so.

It works all the time, every time, year after year after year of creative abuse. Easy to clean and no small parts to lose. The MSR Waterworks has become my favorite simply because it is lighter and less expensive.

Similar Products Used:

MSR, PUR, Sweetwater

The Katadyn Water Filter is a rock solid performer that never fails. It's slow and a little heavy but it filters where others don't. I have used it from snow runnoff to the heavist silt and it keeps on going. I will keep it until it dies and buy another Katadyn!

Customer Service

Excellent Customer service and parts assistance. They were able to tell me where to go in my local area to find a new tube and I was on my way on another trip.

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I don't need to try another brand - Katadyn is the one for me!