Steri Pen vs tablets

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
10,031
1,616
Reno Nv
I used to go with the tabs but the taste was not so good. Then I would bring koolaid packs to mix with the water to make the taste better. I have since went to the steri pen to sanitize my water, no taste and it works pretty much for everything that could give me giardia plus I can loose the koolaid packs.

What are you guys using?
 

Fink

Veteran member
Apr 7, 2011
1,961
204
West Side, MoMo
X2 for Steripen with tablets as backups. Battery life in my Steripen seems much better than expected. But, after every use, I always take the batteries out. The unit can't turn on and stay on without the water sensors sensing water, but it makes me feel better.
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
3,667
Ohio
Are you guys using theses methods after filtering or no? At least filter gets dirt out of water.
Curious?
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
I've always carried tablets as a backup but have never had to use them. I've always used a pump until I got to try the steri pen on a BP trip last summer. I'm sold! It is so much easier, lighter and smaller than the old pump. We were up high so the water was pretty clear so we didn't pre-filter. When we got down near our vehicles we used the same approach and the floaties in the water weren't real appetizing. I will definitely have a pre-filter with from now on for when needed.
 

MTbowhunter36

New Member
Dec 31, 2011
30
0
Kalispell, MT
Don't use either.

I use a Sawyer mini filter. It works awesome as I use it as an in-line filter. I can pull out the bladder, zip it open, fill it and put the bladder back in my pack very quickly.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
Don't use either.

I use a Sawyer mini filter. It works awesome as I use it as an in-line filter. I can pull out the bladder, zip it open, fill it and put the bladder back in my pack very quickly.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
That's a pretty slick option too. I'm not fond of dunking my bladder in "dirty" water if I'm gonna be filling it out of the sink other times too. I suppose if you have a seperate bladder just for that use it would be ok. I would think that bladder would get kinda funky after awhile depending on the source.
 

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
7,931
2,833
www.eastmans.com
Combination depending on circumstance. When push comes to shove though, I will have a pump style filter with me.
 

MTbowhunter36

New Member
Dec 31, 2011
30
0
Kalispell, MT
That's a pretty slick option too. I'm not fond of dunking my bladder in "dirty" water if I'm gonna be filling it out of the sink other times too. I suppose if you have a seperate bladder just for that use it would be ok. I would think that bladder would get kinda funky after awhile depending on the source.
Yes, i do switch out bladders and pack my pump for shorter excursions.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

hunttrap

Active Member
Jan 22, 2016
219
85
Eastern Nebraska
I use a steri pen. No diahriah yet. I make sure to find good spots to pull water from. Not down stream from a beaver dam, or a watering spot of cattle, but find fresh snow melt and pull water from there.