I own the Miniworks EX, which is the newer, faster version. While it claims to pump a liter a minute (the same as the Pur Guide), it doesn't (primarily because its filter is .2 microns compared with the Guide's .3 microns - thus the EX filters more stuff out). It is, however, faster than its predecessor and its pump action is better. Overall, it's a better choice than the Pur Guide despite being a bit slower. Its use of only one hose (vs. 2 w/ the Guide) reduces risk of contamination, and its easy field cleaning make it the one to go with. I've used both at length, bag the Pur.

Customer Service

EMS is great.

Similar Products Used:

Pur Guide MSR Miniworks Sweetwater Guardian

Great filter. It gets clogged fairly often. Cleaning is pretty easy though. Filters pretty fast. I was in some of the cleanest water in world and it got clogged quickly...don't know how it would do in "dirty" water.

I got this to replace a busted Sweetwater filter. The pump mechanism, not the filter failed. I'm sure Cascade Designs would have replaced it but I don't need an unreliable filter on the trail. I've had the MSR for 4 years without a problem. It seemed faster than the Sweetwater and is much easier to clean. It also is easier to use due to the threads that fit Nalgene bottles and the hose barb to refill my Platypussies? Platypuses? Platypi? hyradtion bags. I use the Siltstoper from the Sweetwater and/or a zip top Platypus bag to pump from. That reduces the cleaning. It's easy to field strip and clean. It does what it needs to with little fuss, just the way I like it :)

Customer Service

Only contact was for an MSR stove. They shipped a replacement part quickly and at no cost to me. Good job

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Cascade Designs Sweetwater, bleach, iodine tablets, dumb luck

This is by far THE BEST FILTER I'VE EVER USED. I have used many other filters and other chemicals, but this by far is the filter that stands out in my book. Yeah, the Waterworks II is a good filter, but why would you need to put on a second stage filter if the Marathon Ceramic is supposed to do the job (hope I didn't scare anyone here)? Anyway, this filter is superbly durable, easy to field strip and repair, easy to clean, and above all, safe. I used this filter with Sweetwater's ViralStop solution (that is some good stuff!), and got water out of a bathing hole with cows in it. Not too bad of a place, but nothing else availible because of a drought in the area. Never got sick. The filter clogged after every half liter I passed through it at the hole, but cleaned it easily and was never sick;but remember I did use ViralStop as well. From rivers where there are cows or people upstream, or anywhere, I always use some form of chemical to kill off any viruses that may be present. My water sources are not usually inhabited by cows or people, and so usually I'll only use the filter alone. Like I said, have never gotten sick (nor have I from any filter I've used), and it was always there even after dropping it 10 feet onto a boulder! Great Product.

Customer Service

Contacted MSR by e-mail, got back to me within one hour of both. Speedy reply. Very helpful as well.

Similar Products Used:

Sweetwater Guardian, PuR Hiker and Voyager (RECALL!!), MSR Waterworks II, Katadyn Pocket and Combi.

Used this in the Ottawa Natl Forest and Porkies, Michigan on a week long trip. Standing water, creeks, rivers, and Lake Superior. All with no problems. This is my first filter so can't compare it to others. I found it easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to dry out for storage. If others complain about this being slow, then they need to slow down and smell the flowers. It was plenty fast for me. When the flow slowed, cleaned the cartrige with the included pad and it was back to "normal". Water tasted fine and no intestinal problems so it did it's job. Instructions recommend treating with iodine first if viruses are a concern. An additional step, but if it is a problem, perhaps you need to slow down.

Customer Service

None needed

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No filter - iodine or chlorine treatment

Used this filter on a 10 week hike on the AT. I'm pretty sure I'll continue to use it. It makes good tasting water and I stayed healthy even when filtering from very questionable water sources. I did have to clean it quite often. But cleaning it only took less than a minute. Often it would stop pumping and I would have to open it up and take it apart and put it back together (again only took half a minute). Never really felt like I was fixing anything, but that always did the trick. I saw other filters on the trail that required much less work, but nothing as easy to fix in the field. From talking to other hikers, they all clog. May consider treating water on my next big trip.

Customer Service

I haven't needed it.

This purifier is the best. I was in Utah with some friends on a backpacking trip. We were at a river called the Dirty Devil with no water except for the river. My buddy had just purchased a new pur filter for $100. The river is the dirtiest river I had ever seen. It was mud moving downstream and not water. After two liters the pue clogged and its self-cleaning system could not handle the Dirty Devil. The pue filter failed. The MSR has a ceramic filter that can be cleaned. Now the river was so dirty that I could only get 2 liters before I had to clean the filter, but we were able to get water. That filter supplied 4 people with clean water for a week. We were far into the canyons when we had to use the river as our main source of water. And it was our main source of water for the rest of the trip. The MSR saved our lives. We had no water in 90-degree weather. I can not say enough about this filter.

Customer Service

excellent

Similar Products Used:

pur

Completely satisfied and pleased with the MSR. I really like the fact that I can easily tell when the filter needs to be changed or replaced (unlike my PUR). Like most other reviewers, I also like the ease of use and the simple field maintainability. With the Miniworks, I feel confident the water I’m drinking is safe, because I watched it work. With my PUR, I always hoped it worked, and waited to get the runs before I knew for sure. I would recommend the MSR Miniworks to all!

Customer Service

no need

Similar Products Used:

PUR Hiker

Great filter! Much Better then the Pur hiker I know becouse I had and used a pur hiker for a year. The MSR May get Cloged up faster and may pump slower, But it does a much, much, much, better job at cleaning out the nastys than the pur hiker.The MSR comes with a gage that tells you if the filter needs changing. Easy to use easy to clean screws on to a naglen water bottol or a MSR dromatery bag to make it easy for you to pump water. I have learned my leason well the MSR filters are the only folters That I will use now.My boddy thanks me for it each trip I take.

Customer Service

did not use

Similar Products Used:

none

Great little filter! Have used it quite a bit and I have not gotten sick yet, and I don''t think I will with this bad boy. Easy to disassemble and clean, the filter has got all the features I need.

Customer Service

Don''t Know

Similar Products Used:

None