Despite a lack of reviews when I purchased this unit, I decided to risk the $20 due to its novel design. After a couple of trips, I have to say I''m impressed. I''ll be taking the filter with me on future trips.
If you''re into ultralight backpacking or simple day hikes, this filter could save you a lot of weight. It screws onto any standard soda/pop/water bottle (think Coke, Sprite, Aquafina, etc.) and you bite/suck through the nozzle (like a CamelBak) to drink; the water is filtered between the bottle and your mouth.
I coupled the filter with a 1.5L Smart Water bottle (available at most grocery stores) due to the Smart Water''s unique size/shape combination, which makes it easier to carry and squeeze. The system acted as an excellent backup unit during my trips. I just filled the bottle directly from the water source, screwed on the filter, and drank. Much easier than pumping.
The unit is also supposed to work with the included straw (for drinking directly out of water sources) or with hydration packs (in place of a regular bite valve). I have not tried either configuration, so I can''t attest to their effectiveness.
Pros:
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+ Works like it''s supposed to
+ Small and very light
+ Low-cost
+ Fits onto any standard soda/pop/water bottle
+ Stretchy silicone/rubber neck keeps cap in place while closed and safely attached while drinking
+ Entire thing floats if accidentally dropped into water
+ Comes with several replacement pre-filters
Cons:
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Non-replaceable filter cartridge (you can buy a whole new one for $20, but that creates unnecessary garbage)
Flow rate isn''t terribly fast. It feels like a slower CamelBak, and you might have to start squeezing the bottle as it empties.
Only practical for one person (unless you don''t mind sharing)
Things to watch out for:
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* To increase filter life, make sure you use the included pre-filter
* Leaks when used with soft-bodied Platypus bladder-bottles (NOT the same thing as hydration packs; these soft "bottles" are basically small plastic bags with integrated water bottle spouts). The filter screws on, but not tightly enough to create a vacuum seal. This makes drinking very difficult and gets everything wet. I had no such problem with regular, hard-bodied bottles.
* Long-term reliability/flow rate is uncertain due to a lack of reviews.
* This unit does not filter viruses -no pump/mechanical-action filter does except for the First Need series. You''ll need chlorine tablets if this is a concern to you, though it should not be in most North American waters.
* This will not work with Nalgenes (even narrow-mouthed ones), Kleen Kanteens, or SIGGs.
Conclusion:
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All in all, I love this little thing and will be taking it with my as a backup filter for future trips. It''s great if you''re camping near a water source and don''t want to have to keep pumping for drinking water. Just remember what it''s designed for: solo drinking out of a dirty water bottle, not group filtration into clean bottles.
This filter is of limited utility because of the large pore size which allows most bacteria and all viruses to get through. It will only strain out particulates, cryptosporidium and giardia. Therefore, you will need to chemically treat the water for at least 15 minutes before you use th filter. The advantage to this filter is that you can chemically treat the water and be able to drink it through the filter without waiting the full 1-4 hours required for the chemicals to kill giardia and cryptosporidium. There is also a way you can convert this filter into a very lightweight gravity filter system using collapsible playpus type water containers and plastic tubing. Do a search on youtube for "jasonklass filter"
Buy McNett Aquamira Frontier Pro Ultralight Water Filter Now
Certain products are designed to do certain things. Such as you would not drive a race car to the local corner store, or back and forth to work. A race car was designed to be on the race track, not the neighborhood streets.
The Aquamira Frontier Pro Water Filter is designed for a certain purpose, and users need to be aware of those purposes and limitations.
The filter will not remove viruses. They have to be killed with chemical treatment.
The filter will not remove certain types of bacteria.
However, it is light wieght, easy to use, has no moving parts to break and is easy to clean.
Instead of drinking the water straight from the stream, you could fill up a water bottle, add some purification tablets, then use this filter to help remove the chemical taste.
I wish the filters removed more bacteria and that replacment filters were avaible. Having to buy a new unit when the filters get dirty is a turn off.
The plastic housing seems kind of weak. Its not made out of a high impact plastic, its more like a cheap plastic that toys are made out of.
If you are on a budget, this might get the job done. But if you can afford a full fledged filter, then go ahead and buy something better.
Read Best Reviews of McNett Aquamira Frontier Pro Ultralight Water Filter Here
This is a great product for the price.
I use it as a gravity filter, filtering from a 2.5L platypus bottle into my hydration bladder (the jason klass method). Works excellent this way!
You should use a chemical treatment as well, as others have noted, but I would suggest using the chemical treatment no matter what type of filter you are using.
so its not like an extra process or something...
The only thing that would make this better would be if it had replaceable filter cartridges. It does not, but will still filter well over the 50 gallons it claims as long as you keep your pre-filter clean and replace it as often as needed.
For this price its worth it, it will probably take 2 seasons for me to go through 50 gallons of water.
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After four months, it looks like the company has roundly ignored the following complaint I sent in Sept. 2010:
Dear Aquamire/McNett,
I purchased four filters for 30 days on the JMT despite reviews that the product easily clogs and freezes. I figured since I was headed into the High Sierra with exceptionally clear water sources that I would be ok as long as I checked and changed the prefilter regularly, and slept with it in my bag every night to avoid freezing. Sadly, all four filters failed. The failures I experienced were of two kinds:
1. The filters all leaked from the threaded joint where the prefilter sits. Thus, unfiltered water trickled down onto and into my clean water reservoir.
2. All four filters clogged up well before their advertised 50 gallon capacity. In fact, none of them lasted more than 40 liters despite clear sources and daily checks/replacement of the prefilter.
I found myself having to rely on iodine tablets and the kindness of other hikers who allowed us to use their pump filters. I am extremely unhappy to have had to pay as much as I did for such a hassle, indignity and risk to our health.
In addition to money misspent on your filters, I''ve lost my investment in the compatible Platypus products which we had to purchase in order to use your product. (Actual amazon.com receipts are enclosed). Needless to say, I cannot rely in future on your gravity filters; therefore, in addition to the expense of purchasing four filters, my expenses totaled $199.87
Not good, please advise.
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I like the fact that it is adjustable, and that the strap to attach it can be used on many widths and types of bicycle framing. But, it does stick out a lot more than I anticipated, which makes it less useful to me on my step-thru bicycle. If you have a top-tube it will work beautifully, but with a step-thru the options are limited on where to attach it without hitting it getting on and off the bike.
