A word on Filters, I really shopped around and found the Sweetwater filter to be the best FOR ME. #1 because the synthetic core is easily cleaned. Around here the clay banks will clog every filter, even the ones "guaranteed not to clog for a year". Using a friends filter, I let the mud precipitate out and the paper filters still clogged. Being they were paper, I couldn't brush them out to keep going or risk scratching a hole in it. If I was in the middle of nowhere and that thing clogged - this customer would be s.o.l with a new plastic paperweight. #2 The filter is synthetic and will not hold water, therefore, if the temp gets below 32 degrees and things start getting icy, I know that it will not freeze/expand and create tiny rips in the paper which would allow "bugs" to swim through freely. #3. I do like the MSR ones, they are fast pumping and very easy to clean but I wonder about cracking the ceramic cartridge if it was ever dropped, or if something ever fell on it. I haven't seen a cracked one, but I have read about it happening. I imagine that a person could use one of these for quite a while, never noticing ultrafine cracks in it. The Sweetwater, being a synthetic filter, insulates itself against impact. And the red lining on the inside of the core lets me know when I need a new filter. My filters tend to last more than the stated 200 gallon/100 cleanings that it said in the owners manual. Extra points I liked about my filter, was that I could adapt a Virus cartridge to it and came with all the bells and whistles of the more expensive types. also , I loved the fact that the Carbon cartridge is built in. I found my buddies filter to be kind of awkward as it had the cartridge on the end of the hose. Something I didn't like about my Sweetwater was the adapter. This summer I was pumping in the middle of the lake for a troop of Boyscouts. Some of the boys had empty 20 oz. pop bottles, some had Platypus flat carring flasks and some had good ol' canteens. The adapter fit them all but would not grip them tightly so the bottle could be set aside and filled. I had to work with two hands pumping, while the guys would hold the bottle. I didn't have to pump long as the Scouts I was with had never used filters before and were all eager to try out my new toy. They had "survived" previous trips by using the pills. Some even carried the neutralizer as they were sick of the taste. We all agreed the water out of the "clear" lake tasted better that the water I had brought from camp. I know that other pumps are faster, but I found this to be comfortable in the hand and when pumping water for 12 Scouts, I was practically on vacation. It didn't matter if it took 2 more minutes to pump than if I had bought the most expensive model in the store. Time stands still when your kayaking with friends in the middle of Minnesota. What is your favorite? Can you argue that yours is better? I paid $49.99 for mine __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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