MSR Whisperlite International Liquid-Fuel Stove

19 years now and only problem was when the o rings failed (after 15 years) and the jet clogged once. I had it repaired on a trip within 10 miuntes. Learn to field strip before you use. Be sure primer cup can be removed w/o a tool (hand tighten. I carry spare rings now and soon fuel line just in case because I go solo and or in 20 miles. 12000 ft no problem, 22-26 degrees no problem. Never tried other fuels but have read vodka can be used. If 100 proof ?? Always use the heat deflector not shown for safety. A metal base option (3oz) is great for uneven surfaces. Daily use I figure on 2-3 oz''s fuel per day with breakfast 10 minutes and dinner 25. Adjustable flame can simmer real low. Primes nicely. Avoid cheap fuel. I use Coleman for best results.

This stove has been around for years i.e. time tested in the most extreme and unforgiving conditions. Needless to say, this stove is still around and is still the best.

Pros:

*Weight: everything included (empty fuel bottle) it come to a little over 1lb.

*Size: very compact, the stove and fuel pump will easily fit inside a set of camping pots for example. I would say that if you keep the stove, heat shield, and pump in the stuff sack it will still fit in a camping pot thats about 6 inches in diameter by 6 inches deep. Otherwise, if you split the parts up, the stove is super small, essentially no bigger than a 1&1/2 tennis ball''s.

*Reliability: This is a time tested workhorse. I have had this thing wet, muddy, frozen, hot (all conditions) and it will start every time. (when it was muddy i did have to clean it a bit, but then it worked like new). This stove will boil water when and where you need it.

* Simmering: Despite what others have said, i have had no problem getting my stove to simmer pasta, rice, and really anything else.

Cons:

Really, none, but keep in mind the following:

* Know how to work and clean the stove before you stick it in your pack. If you do this this stove will provide you with years of loyal service. And as with any stove or piece of equipment, take care of it and keep it as clean as you can.

Maintenance:

Usually a self cleaning can be done by just shaking the stove (shaker jet technology), every now and then you may have to do a bit more extensive cleaning by removing the fuel cable and scrubbing it. This all can be done in the field with only the little tool provided in the kit. Also, the only other thing may be replacing an o-ring every year or so. Again, no problem in the field.

* buy a repair/parts kit... its always nice to have some spare o rings to stop leaking.

Soot:

If you run this stove cold, or don''t let it heat up enough with the primer, you can get some orange flames which in turn will depot some soot on your pans. If you let it warm up (using the primer) there should be no problem getting the blue flame.

Also, if you are buying the "international version," which i did, it will burn just about anything (remember to change out the jet when using different fuels other that white gas of unleaded). I would still recommend white gas or the MSR Superfuel as it is just the cleanest for your stove and burns the hot (the jet fuel you can use with it may be hotter,,,).

I would recommend this stove to anyone who was serious about backpacking/camping. I have had this stove for over 5 years and would buy another one but have had no reason to do so.

Extras: I would suggest buying the following as well.

Repair/maintenance kit MSR WhisperLite and Whisper Lite Int. Expedition Stove Service Kit

MSR Trillium Stove BaseMSR Trillium Stove Base

Buy MSR Whisperlite International Liquid-Fuel Stove Now

Never had the least bit of problem with this... packs up nice and small (and inside my MSR Alpine pots to save more space) and has never failed to light for me. ask 100 hikers what they prefer, and you''ll get at least 90 different answers. Myself, I prefer liquid fuel... I only have to carry one bottle in, and one bottle out (as opposed to some butane stoves) and I find it easier to control the flame (especially in trying to simmer). I understand that butane may be the way to go in exceptionally high wind, or in extreme cold... wind hasn''t yet been an issue for me, and as I mentioned in a recent sleeping bag review, if it''s THAT cold, I won''t be in a tent, I''ll be in a cabin. I also like that I have options on what fuel to use... with the jet it ships with, I can either burn camp fuel (aka: "white gas") or regular unleaded gasoline... change the jet (which is included) and I can burn kerosene or A-1 jet fuel... handy if you''re camping at JFK International I guess LOL. mainly the unleaded gas and kerosene options mean you''ll pretty much never be at a loss for fuel.

Read Best Reviews of MSR Whisperlite International Liquid-Fuel Stove Here

I got my stove today and couldn''t be happier with it. There was no flare up or leakage to speak of and simmering is easy as pie. Just turn off the stove, depressurize the bottle, pump three times and relight. To keep it going just give it a pump every four minutes or so. My one complaint is the fuel that leaks out when you disconnect the fuel line or depressurize the bottle. I wish it had come with a pressure release valve.

Want MSR Whisperlite International Liquid-Fuel Stove Discount?

I''ve owned it over 10 years so this is a long-term review. First of all, this stove is extremely reliable. Period. I personally haven''t had any issues whatsoever. It has never failed to perform its task. It''s light but amazingly rugged and yes this stove would make an excellent backpacking stove. I''ve used it above 10,000 feet level on more than several occasions and it always performed like a champ. I''ve used it with regular unleaded gas and had no issues. Initially, you might need to get a hang of priming it properly, as I kind of had to, but that''s actually a part of growing your long-term relationship with this stove. Of course it''s not that difficult at all unless you had never used white gas stove anywhere before. Once the stove is ON, it boils water really fast... especially if you use the included windshield. I use it with MSR''s 33oz fuel bottle and I know I have roughly 3 hours of cooking time. What can I say! My only complain(?) is that I personally like the burner to be a bit LOUDER... like the roaring of SVEA 123 (my other unit). So people at MSR, PLEASE consider developing "Roaringlite" in the future.

Read More >>

Pack of 10 - BPA-Free Double Wall Acrylic Tumbler with Lid and Straw

but the walls are a little fragile

2 of them broke from short falls, but the only other one to be dropped, was from a MUCH higher distance and did not break at all

and you cannot beat the price (unless it changed)

Would have been able to get a color variety pack. Too bad they are not dishwasher safe, but at this price I can afford to see how they hold up to the occasional dishwasher cycle.

Buy Pack of 10 - BPA-Free Double Wall Acrylic Tumbler with Lid and Straw Now

I bought these as party favors for my child''s bday party. The cups arrived with some cracks in them. That was a little disappointing. The seller asked me to send photos via email. No need to return the cracked cups, which was convenient. The seller replaced the damaged items.

I do like the cups. They''re plastic, so obviously, not indestructible. They are great for kids and I like that they are reusable.

I don''t wash them in the dishwasher. I think the heat can crack them. My kids love them. They use them everyday. They are espcially great to use by their beds at night since they have the lid. I would recommend this item.

Read Best Reviews of Pack of 10 - BPA-Free Double Wall Acrylic Tumbler with Lid and Straw Here

We ordered these cups for our kids to use but they are not kid proof at all! If they are dropped even from my 18 month old''s height the inside liner and outside will come apart. I have had three of these cups come apart already and there is no hope in repairing them. I tried super glue but it never makes a water tight seal again and fluid will get in between the two layers. The customer service was good as they shipped the wrong number of lids and straws but replaced them quickly (although they did not send the right color replacements). I would not recommend these as everyday use and especially not for kids.

Want Pack of 10 - BPA-Free Double Wall Acrylic Tumbler with Lid and Straw Discount?

Cups were of a great quality! The shipping was quick and received in time for our party, even with the last minute purchase. Thank you!

Read More >>

Profile Design Aqualite drinking system for Aero handlebar Save 10% off

Supposedly using the aerodrink system in a front mounted fashion is the most aero way to store your drink during time trials. It was a bit of work to get it setup and I needed the extender brackets too which added a bit of complication, but it works well. Sitll a little hard to drink, and splashing is an issue unless you use the yellow spongy thingy, but with this system you never come out of your tuck, which is what it''s all about.

With this system I find that I at least remember to drink some...whereas with a down-tube aero bottle, I rarely wanted to reach down because it was kind of precarious.

It''s a nice aero bottle for shorter rides. I usually take this one when I do 40K rides or less. Anything longer and I take the larger version. The good thing is that they both fit in the same mount. The mount is pretty good but it takes a little effort and some enginuity in order to get it to hold the bottle nice and stable without moving about. I ended up running some tape through the mount and around the bars before installing the velcro straps.

Buy Profile Design Aqualite drinking system for Aero handlebar Now

This didn''t fit b/w my aerobars it was too small. And it bounced around. I thought the updated design would be cool, but it wasn''t. Pass on this one and get the original design.

Read Best Reviews of Profile Design Aqualite drinking system for Aero handlebar Here

It took a while to get this where i needed it on bike. I find I drink more water wit

H this while ridinG. I did have to get a bracket to fit between the aero bars because my set up does not have them close enough.

Want Profile Design Aqualite drinking system for Aero handlebar Discount?

I agree with other reviews that this system makes it much easier and convenient to hydrate more during a ride. Keeping both hands on the bars while drinking is a real plus. My only issue is the minor leakage around the straw when liquid sloshes around in the bottle and early in the ride while the liquid level is high. With only water in the bottle it is really no problem, but with anything else it will create a sticky mess on your bike.

Save 10% off

Read More >>

Bicycle Generator Kit 300 Watts DC Pedal Power Generator Save 28% off

I did note that this kit contains reworked, or pokey parts, as well as strong and shiny ones. Costs too much?

I see now that this seller sells both the belt-driven generator, and a "friction" driven generator whose description matches what I received. So likely the error was wrong item shipped, rather than intentional bait and switch. Both items are priced the same.

Buy Bicycle Generator Kit 300 Watts DC Pedal Power Generator Now

Read More >>

Camelbak Quick Link Thermal Control Kit Save 17% off

My drinking tube still froze before I even had time to drink any water. Wouldn''t recommend this for use in anything near 20 degrees. Swapped out the mouth piece though so I can still use it to insulate my water in the summer. Besides the fact that it didn''t work, the neoprene seems good and the mouthpiece cover is nice and easy to use with gloves.

Excellent performance easy to convert and with quick link easy to maintain.

Insulation and the cover do help to prevent freezing of the liquid. "Tested" at 12,000 elevation at 5F.

Buy Camelbak Quick Link Thermal Control Kit Now

Read More >>

Vapur Flexible Water Anti-Bottle (2 Pack Set)

I don''t think these are as high quality as some of the other ones I have had in the past. They do the job but one of hem leaked slightly sometimes. And the tops are different sizes which was weird.

First I have to say that when I contacted the vendor about the quality of the product, they immediately said they would give me a refund, which they did.

I thought, cool two bottles for a little more than the price of the one I had but they both leaked. At a friend''s insistence, I checked the original vapur bottle I bought and found that it was made in the US. The bottles sent to me by this vendor were made in China.

I guess you get what you pay for.

Buy Vapur Flexible Water Anti-Bottle (2 Pack Set) Now

A friend of mine loves these so I bought one and on first use it leaked from the sides and ruined a bag. When I contacted the company they were far from helpful. So, you may get lucky and yours will be fine but I wasn''t and the result was costly. I can''t imagine it being worth the risk for anyone. If I could give it no stars I would.

Read Best Reviews of Vapur Flexible Water Anti-Bottle (2 Pack Set) Here

We were very disappointed with this product. We used them on a trip to Europe and found that the top of the bottle would come loose and wouldn''t hold the water. Also the spring clip failed and we could not clip them to our belts. We only used them once. Would not recommend it.

Want Vapur Flexible Water Anti-Bottle (2 Pack Set) Discount?

They sent us 2 black and 2 blue. WOuld have been nice to have 4 different colors, but you couldn''t specify a color choice.

Read More >>

New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle (12-Ounces Sippy Cap)

This is a good cup, the stainless steel part at least. But the slits/holes on the silicone nozzle were sealed shut. It was air tight. It was simple to slice open the slits that were closed though.

Within 24 hours of receiving this bottle and using it right away, the nipple dripped water when the bottle was inverted. Plus, my 20 month daughter disliked the nipple top and tried to pull it off. So, we contacted New Wave Enviro company and requested a change of the top to a sports top, which my daughter loves and cannot pull off. New Wave Enviro was quick to respond to our request. Thank you!

Buy New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle (12-Ounces Sippy Cap) Now

I love this sippy cup. It doesn''t leak, it''s easy to clean and they offer replacement caps (such as a sport top) so this cup can grow with your child. Plus, it''s less expensive than most stainless steel sippies on the market now.

Read Best Reviews of New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle (12-Ounces Sippy Cap) Here

I''ve tried several different sippy cups & this is the only one my 3 month old son likes. He has no problem using it, the fluids come out easily when it''s in his mouth & the cup doesn''t leak when tipped upside down.

Want New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle (12-Ounces Sippy Cap) Discount?

Read More >>

The Original IonPod® Portable Alkalizing Water Bottle Save 64% off

I purchased the IonPod at my local health-food store yesterday after speaking to the proprietor about it at length. He stated that he uses it, and that it has replaced both his big ionizer and his alkalization systems.

On first look, the IonPod is very attractive. It comes in a beautiful presentation box, which has absolutely no branding on it. It looks like a gift. Upon opening the box, it is nestled in a satin-covered form and tied down with a bow. Impressive. No need to wrap it if you want to give it as a present.

Taking it out of the box, I find that it is comfortable in hand and has no rough edges. The top is easy to screw on and off.

When you take off the lid you will see that there is a little basket snapped into the bottle. It looks like a little metal strainer basket for steaming veggies, but has 13 minerals in it to filter and ionize your water. It has a handle on it to pull it out, and snaps in and out easily. there is also a filter part at the bottom, but I don''t think it comes out.

To prepare the IonPod for first use, you are supposed to put very hot or boiling water inside and shake it, then pour it out. You do this about 4 or 5 times until the water is clear. I think this is just to get out any of the smaller bits in the filters.

After the cleaning process, the IonPod is ready to use. It''s important to keep in mind that this is not supposed to be used for storing water for long periods. Water should really be poured from a storage container into the IonPod three minuted prior to drinking.

The water from the IonPod is pretty tasty. You can definitely taste the difference. I use regular tap water and find that the IonPod removed the chlorine and the funky smell. It is easy to drink plenty of water with it due to the great flavor.

Okay, folks. I hope this helps. I will be back in a week or so to let you all know how the IonPod does over time.

***UPDATE!***

8/3/2010Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, folks.

So, I''ve been using the IonPod for a while. I have to say, I like it. I couldn''t tell you for certain whether or not it''s the minerals and ionized water, or just the fact that I''m drinking more water during the day, but I HAVE noticed that my skin looks better, I sleep more soundly, and generally have a bit more energy. It does serve as a pretty reminder to drink plenty of water during the day...which I was having a tough time with before.

So, another reviewer mentioned that it doesn''t take chlorine out of tap water. Hm. Perhaps not, but it does take the TASTE of chlorine out. Also, if you are concerned with the chlorine, just let the water sit in a pitcher for about 12 hours. It evaporates. No need to buy fancy bottled water (which, with a few exceptions) has been proven to be just municipal tap water on many occasions).

After a few months, I still like the Ion Pod. I fill it up and drink before bed, when I get up I drink before coffee, and then before meals during the day. Good stuff.

I am very happy with this item, but think prospective buyers should be aware of a couple of things:

Contrary to the above product info "indications," the product manual & instructions included with the unit say that it does NOT filter/ remove chlorine... so it''s probably best to start with water that''s already had the chlorine filtered out. (And fluoride, also problematic in drinking water, is not addressed.)

So far I haven''t been gotten my water''s pH (I start with Evian, which is 7.5) above 8.5, which is less than the usual 9.5 setting on the expensive in-home "electrolysis" water ionizer units. However, drinking 8.5 water all day may be a better approach anyway. Particularly for those with health challenges and fairly acidic body pH, 9.5 often can be too severe & extreme... causing "detox reactions" like headaches, rashes, etc.

So, as I said, I think this unit is great and so far am delighted with it. (I am in the process of "trying out" various ionized/ alkaline water sources," and this one seems very comparable... Seems to work much better for alkalizing than the "hydrogen water sticks," altho their main claimed benefit is production of hydrogen ions... which I don''t have a way to measure.) The water tastes really good and I like the way I''m feeling. Just hoping the above helps others know what to expect.

Buy The Original IonPod® Portable Alkalizing Water Bottle Now

Before buying this product I had done a lot of online research into this specific brand and in the process learnt the whole science behind alkalizing water and how the right Ph of water is good for the human body. I also came across products of a similar nature and also from the electronic end (which were more costly) and had done research into a few of them before proceeding with purchasing the said item, it was an extremely good learning process and since I wanted to experiment with changing the water which I drank I had no reluctance going ahead with this purchase since it wouldn''t have broke the bank with its affordability.

Since trying this product out for at least a month I can say it truly is a different experience and it helps with the overall "feel great" feeling. There''s nothing new to how your water tastes except from the minerals which are contained within the bottle itself and it feels as if you are drinking from a fresh water spring. It is a great buy and it helps in ways that aren''t readily noticeable but in the long term the benefits are great overall. Shipping was great and on time from the seller. Definitely a recommended buy.

Read Best Reviews of The Original IonPod® Portable Alkalizing Water Bottle Here

So I bought this as I wanted to try alkaline water. It has been 1 1/2 week now and I measured the ph and it has gone up to 8.5 ph after letting it sit for 15-20 minutes in the Ionpod. I am taking it slow as I have just began.

The filter lasts about 6-12 months and you can buy replacement filters from their website. It costs about $ 19.95 currently.

The replaceable mineral cartridge contains the following : Tourmaline, Zeolite, Maifanshi, Silver and naturally occuring trace minerals.

Want The Original IonPod® Portable Alkalizing Water Bottle Discount?

I love my pod. This model came in at half the price of some of the others, arrived beautifully packaged, and I am seeing a difference in my ph levels when I use it regularly.

Save 64% off

Read More >>

SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier

Well The item operates as it states but you still have to trust the science of the product.And I am okay with that. The green light tells you it is ready and you swirl the pen in the water until the light turns off automatically and then it is safe to drink. The green light will flash again when you stop if the red light flashes then it was done completely.

You should know you cannot use Alkaline batteries with the item. You do get 2two dollar off coupons that expire in July 2010 for Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. I was lucky to already have some rechargable ones here from my old camera.(I did have to charge them) They recommend the rechargeable ones if using in cold climates.

Also the water has to be clear before you use the product. They say even a shirt can be used or a coffee filter. They go to great lengths to say the container must be clean and it will not sterilize droplets on the side of a glass to wipe those away.

Then they say that expensive research has been done to prove it does kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, protoza. The statement that gave me a bit of concern is "While carefully controlled microboiological testing of SteriPen has been conducted, use of SteriPen in the field may produce results that vary from our laboratory test data." (ie...you may get sick)

I have a bunch of bottled water that is expired and decided to use it on them and go ahead and drink them. It takes only about 30 second and there is absolutely no leakage when you turn the bottle upside down and swirl it. I am impressed.

All that taken into consideration I would use it to drink clear stream water on a hike if I run out of my bottled water as to drinking it straight. I was a microbiologist for 29yrs so I know the science. We Used UV lights in the TB work room. Our biohazard hoods had UV lights turned on when not in use.

Just keep in mind it is not 100% that you will not get sick. If traveling to a high risk area I''d also take the tablets for the water just to be double sure. Oh you get 200 uses with the lithium batteries.

SteriPEN is a portable water purification device that uses UV light to purify water found in untreated sources (mainly rivers and lakes) into a drinkable state, killing over 99.9 percent of harmful microorganisms that can lead to illness. This is mainly a concern for people in developing countries and campers/backpackers. As a longtime backpacker, I''ve dealt with water purification for many years. The most realistic options currently available to me are:

1. Potable water For the longest time, I just brought in all the drinkable water I would need for a trip and carried it with me. Once I realized how foolish it was to carry the weight of 2-3 gallons worth of water with me in my pack as opposed to 2 liters, I quickly stopped this practice.

2. Boiling Without a doubt, the best way to purify water is to boil it for three minutes. Of course the problem you run into is that you need a source of heat for this. I don''t like wasting my fuel on boiling water when I need it for cooking. And if you are a minimalist backpacker, you don''t want to have to lug a cooking system with you just to purify water.

3. Water purification tablets these mainly use iodine to chemically treat water into a drinkable state. These are great in an emergency because the tablets are so small and filter a large amount of water. I always take these with me just in case. The problem is they take about 4 hours to work and they make your water taste like it came from a swimming pool.

4. Filtration I have never used a pump filter before, but they have always seemed big and clumsy to me.

The SteriPEN seems like it resolves all these issues because it is small, it is easy to use, and it works very quickly. I recently took out the SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier with me on two recent trips to the woods and gave it a try. The Traveler is obviously designed for people to take when traveling to developing countries where drinkable water may not be available. I understand SteriPEN''s reasoning for it, but it just doesn''t seem like there is any necessity for this model. The UV lamp that is used for purification will last 3,000 treatments, which seems like more than enough for the life of the product. Unfortunately, due to the amount of power the UV light uses, the SteriPEN requires lithium batteries which can be very expensive, You''ll get 200 16oz treatments off of a set of 4 AA lithium batteries. You can use regular batteries in a pinch but I assume they''ll be drained pretty quickly. With the cost of lithium batteries, you are going to pay around 25 cents to treat each gallon of water. The actual SteriPEN is bigger than I thought it would be from the picture. At 7.5" long, it''s going to take up some room in your pack or luggage, and it would have been nice if it was about 2-3" shorter. You can buy the SteriPEN Traveler mini Handheld UV Water Purifier or the SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier (the Adventurer and Traveler Mini are the exact same product except for the color scheme!) which is slightly smaller, but I don''t understand why they didn''t just make the original Traveler that small to begin with.

As to actual use, the SteriPEN traveler works amazingly well. Just hold the UV light in a bottle of water, press the button, and 45 seconds later your water is purified. Now obviously I don''t have the ability to actually test the purified water to verify their claims, but the SteriPEN doesn''t affect the taste of the water at all, and it appears to work. You also can''t use it with really dirty water, as it will not "clean" the water, only purify it. So you''re going to want to make sure the water that you use is fairly clean to begin with. But if it is, you can safely drink from it knowing that their are no microorganisms swimming around ready to make you sick.

Overall, even though I was turned off by its size (although it''s still smaller than any other purification method other than tablets), the SteriPEN is a very efficient product. My reasoning for only giving it four stars is that I can''t see any improvement of the Traveler over the original SteriPEN Classic Handheld Water Purifier. The Classic even has more than twice the lamp life (although it''s not like you''d ever need more than 3,000 uses anyway). Why anyone would purchase the Traveler over the Classic is beyond me.

Buy SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier Now

As soon as the SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier arrived I unwrapped it, installed the batteries and ran to the alley behind my house to scoop some feted, brackish water from a pothole.......Just Kidding, but it does beg the question; how do I test this device without spending a week in the bathroom? I often take day-trips to the Fort Collins, Colorado area and go hiking along the Poudre River Trail. Many are the times I have wanted to stop along one of the crystal clear, ice cold, streams and take a huge drink rather than pull on my lukewarm plastic tasting canteen. Last time I did. I read the SteriPEN''s instructions carefully before leaving the camping area. I also loaded the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries the company suggests (a couple of coupons in the box). I scooped up a bottle of the water, let the pen do its thing, then drank it down. I felt no ill effects afterward and used it on the same trip several more times (three sessions and the batteries did not die).

Now of course there is no way (short of laboratory tests) for me to be sure the water was contaminated in the first place, but there are warnings there about drinking it. As far as I can tell the SteriPEN does what it says it will.

Read Best Reviews of SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier Here

Before heading to South America I researched different alternatives for water filters to use while I was away (6 months 1 year). In the end, the Steripen seemed the best for size & price.

I used it for literally 1 month and now the thing just won''t work. One day the red light flashed when I went to use it... thought the batteries were dead so put in brand new of the exact same batteries (Energizer Lithium, which I spent a good amount of $ stocking up on specifically for this device!) --nope, no luck. Have tried everything, the thing is just straight dead.

It''s been more then 30 days so I can''t return it, and now am in South America with no filtration system, which means not only did I lose the $60ish I spent on the thing, but now I also have to buy bottled water all the time! Not happy!

Want SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier Discount?

The SteriPen is about the easiest water purification system I have tried and the fastest. It looks like it will work quite well for my traveling.

I travel in my work to all of South America and the Caribbean and also to Africa. The water is treated, but not to the same standards as in the USA. Also, there are microbes in the water supply lines that we are not used to. Every person that I have taken with me to Mexico, for example, has immediately had problems from the water. usually within 24 hours. This device looks like it will solve that problem.

What I generally use for water purification is either an iodine or chlorine based treatment. Clear iodine from the drug store (5 drops per liter) works well, followed by adding a vitamin C tablet to remove the iodine taste, after letting the iodine work for several hours. There are many products in the camping stores that are effective. The problem with these systems is that they are relatively slow and leave an unpleasant chemical taste. I usually treat my water in the evening and let the chemical work overnight, although about 30 minutes of treatment is supposed to be sufficient. The taste is never as good as I would like, though. Filtering first with a 0.2 micron water filter followed by a chemical treatment is considered a more complete solution. A LOT of trouble for drinking water!

UV treatment, on the other hand, is easy and fast. The only drawback that I can see is that the water to be treated has to be very clear and it is necessary to stir or agitate the water to make sure that the UV light is able to get to all parts of the water. This is easy to do, however, and not a significant drawback. If the water is not clear, then prefiltering would be required.

UV treatment will NOT eliminate chemical contamination (eg lake water). This would require a different type of treatment.

In preparation for this review, I talked with a friend who works as an engineer with a local water department and who is very familiar with water treatment methods. I had not realized it before, but UV treatment has actually replaced chlorination for elimination of pathogens, so it is a very effective technique! He reiterated that the water being treated MUST be clear and that all the water must pass close to the UV bulb. He also said that the UV light does not actually kill the pathogens, but rather damages their DNA so that they cannot reproduce, which is as effective as killing them. He also said that it is possible to only injure the pathogens, so adequate stirring and agitation is important as is letting the system work for the full dosage time.

I noticed that one reviewer said that with the batteries, the SteriPen is rather heavy. I didn''t weight it, but I did compare the "Feel" of its weight to a 500 ml bottle of water, the standard size that you get from a drink machine. I had to drink 2/3 of the bottle before the weights felt similar, so I don;t see the weight as a problem at all, even when hiking. If it reduces the amount of water I have to carry, it is a net savings in weight!

The SteriPen requires lithium batteries which cost about twice as much as alkaline, but they give about 10 times the life. They also are lighter weight than alkalines. The cost will be MUCH less than buying bottled water!

So, to summarize, I am very confident that the SteriPen will handle my water purification needs, especially when traveling to South America and the Caribbean. UV treatment is very effective and fast and doesn''t leave the chemical taste that other portable systems do. I''ll be taking it with me on all my travels with confidence!

Read More >>

Klean Kanteen Flat Cap/Polypro

This cap is worthless. It made my water taste bad (whereas the original ''sport cap'' never did), so I removed the silicone o-ring and put the cap in the dishwasher, thinking it had some coffee residue on it or something.

After I took it out of the dishwasher, I could hear water sloshing around _inside_ of it! It appears to be completely impermeable there are no apparent holes in it. Nevertheless it has water inside of it, with no evident way to get the water out.

The ''sport cap'' that came with my Kleen Kanteen is hollowed out, like an upside-down cup there is no bottom. This low-profile cap is hollow but has a bottom it has a continuous outer surface like a fishing bobber or something.

Clearly they need to work on their quality-control. Avoid this cap like the worthless POS that it is.

Had to buy this lid to replace the one I broke. My Kanteen fell out of the refrigerator and of course landed just right to bust off the loop cap I had. This one is great and saves a little space with it''s flat top. I hand wash all my Klean Kanteen items, as instructed, so that the water does not seep into the lids. Never let them soak or you will have water trapped in the cap. We''ve had our Kanteens for 5 years now and they have saved us from buying and wasting all those plastic water bottles. Love them!

Buy Klean Kanteen Flat Cap/Polypro Now

I like this a little better than the stainless/plastic one that originally came with my Klean Kanteen. Unfortunately, like the stainless/plastic cap, this cap gets some water trapped inside it when washed in a dishwasher--maybe not quite as much with this one, but I can hear it sloshing around in there when I shake the cap.

This cap is all plastic (polypropylene, which has a fairly safe reputation at this time.)

Unlike the plastic loop-top cap, this one has a a texture around the edge where you grip it to tighten or loosen it.

Read Best Reviews of Klean Kanteen Flat Cap/Polypro Here

This is a good all purpose cap to go along with the Klean Kanteen bottles. We have one of the smaller sippy top bottles that we use for our 9 month old son when we take him out hiking but I use the flat cap to keep his bottle sealed while we''re travelling to the trail. Once we get there, I take this top off and put the sippy top on for him to use while we''re out for the day. The bottle is just tossed in with the rest of our hiking gear while we''re travelling and I''ve never had any problems with leaks at all.

Want Klean Kanteen Flat Cap/Polypro Discount?

Durable, easy to wash cap. I use this cap when I don''t need my sports cap.

Read More >>

Platypus Quick-Release Kit

I purchase this part partly as a repair part in the event these parts should fail. Another reason is this part could be used to modify another brand of hydration system to make it compatible with my platypus hydration system. Most brands have parts (excluding the hose/tubing) which are not compatible with other brands.

I use this with the MSR Hydration Kit and DromLite Water Carrier by MSR in a frame bag on my bike. This quick disconnect makes it easy to remove and refill the bladder during races. I wish it were cheaper, but other than that it works great.

Buy Platypus Quick-Release Kit Now

These quick disconnects from Platypus work great; of course, all Platypus stuff is good. I used these specifically to make a longer tube for certain uses. When I am hiking/ATV riding I connect the standard size tube. When I am out in my Jeep Wrangler, I can hook up a longer tube to easily pull up and drink from while the bladder/pack hangs behind my seat. You''ll probably need a couple of these. Great Work Platypus!

Read Best Reviews of Platypus Quick-Release Kit Here

Read More >>