STERIPEN Adventurer Opti Water Purifier

Comments about Steri Pen STERIPEN AdventurerOpti Water Purifier:

I used a friend's Steripen while in Peru recently. I thought it was so slick that I decided to buy one of my own. The first thing you need to do is remove a strip of plastic that protects the battery. That's when I discovered the Steripen's biggest flaw. The flimsy cover on the battery compartment is held by a small screw. Instructions say not to over-tighten. But how can you over-tighten it when it does not appear to tighten at all? A simple bayonet mount or snap closure would be more secure and easier to close than this. I'm afraid to touch the screw for fear the cover will spring off (again). It's other "flaw" is that it does not work in turbid water, so pre-filtering may be required.

Comments about Steri Pen STERIPEN AdventurerOpti Water Purifier:

I've tried many means of treating water, and this beats all others I've tried. It's fast, effective, easy to use, and doesn't affect the taste of the water. There's no filter to clog up, no nasty chemicals to add, no waiting time before it takes effect. It doesn't remove debris so you need to find clearish water, but I haven't found a true con yet. I can't imagine wilderness camping without it.

Comments about Steri Pen STERIPEN AdventurerOpti Water Purifier:

About the only thing I dread when backpacking is filtering water. I jumped at the Steripen as soon as I heard about it and have not been disappointed, but there are a couple caveats. Have used it throughout the Adirondacks, the Catskills and in southern Utah. Not sick yet. Had concerns about taste but that has not been an issue, whether used on lake water or slimy, stagnant looking sump holes. No problems with battery compartment. Recommend getting the FitsAll pre-filter for your nalgene to eliminate most particulate matter.

However, there are 2 obvious vulnerabilities that should make you consider a back-up (eg iodine pills):

1. Glass. The UV emitter is a glass tube and much of your purifying will likely be among the rocks. Carrying case and plastic tube-cap protect it well enough during transport but drop it while in use and your trip could be over.
2. Batteries. Bring spare batteries. Mine died on the last night of a trip and had no direct backup which meant we had to use the rest of our cooking gas to boil water. It was 97F that day and the last thing we wanted was hot water. Dummy me for no spares but it definitely didn't last 100 treatments, but who was counting?. Now I use rechargeable as main and regular batts (replace yearly) as backup.

Despite these issues, the Pen is so much smaller, lighter and easier than mechanicals. In my book, one of the best things to happen to backpacking since the backpack. It's unlikely I will ever go back to hand-filtering water.

Comments about Steri Pen STERIPEN AdventurerOpti Water Purifier:

One liter, one minute. No chemicals. What could be better.

Comments about Steri Pen STERIPEN AdventurerOpti Water Purifier:

I got this before hiking a section of the AT in Maine. It replaced a bulky pump filter that proved unreliable on its last outing.
The SteriPen is small. Push the button and gently stir your liter of water for a minute or so with the SteriPen before it flashes the green light. You're done. The batteries did not run out after constant use over my week long trip.
If you can accept the small risk that this electronic device will fail, it's a great option for backpacking. The other negative is that it could break if dropped when out of the protective case.

Comments about Steri Pen STERIPEN AdventurerOpti Water Purifier:

I used this (Steripen Adventurer) for a four day trip and it was my exclusive source of water for the duration. It worked perfect everytime and I even ended up purifying other peoples water for them as well. Fast, easy, reliable.