Blog Entries tagged 'water filter'

Matt-MSR Hyperflow Gear Review

matthewblog@bowcast.com — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0100

�

Gear Review- MSR Hyperflow

I will be doing a number of gear reviews in my blog and this one�covers the MSR Hyperflow water filter.� I�will be posting a few more gear reviews in the coming months as I�evaluate some of the new gear I used this season.�

Growing up I was introduced to backpacking at a young age.� We would filter our water from the alpine lakes for cooking but drink straight from the mountain springs and small streams.� I never once�got sick�and up until this year I have never carried a water filter on a backcountry hunt.� I�hunt near streams or springs that have a very low risk of containing harmful amounts of protozoa, bacteria, and viruses; however, it only takes one bad water source and�I could have gotten sick from any of these�disease-causing microorganisms. �I consider myself lucky that I have never gotten sick.� Weight and space were also a factor as I didn't want to pack the extra weight of my backpacking water filter, the MSR Miniworks EX, and I always carried backup iodine water tablets in my hunting pack.

This year I started hunting some new areas and I didn't want to worry about the water quality or where I would have to get it from.� I knew MSR was coming out with a new lightweight filter so I waited until they hit the shelf and purchased one after looking it over in the store and talking to the sales representative who had used one.� I discussed with him the concerns I had of clogging and durability which were the main complaints I had been reading about online and he reassured me that I would have no problems.

My first weekend of archery season this year was a 3 day solo bivy hunt where I put the Hyperflow to the test to see if it truly deserved a place in my Badlands.� I evaluated it on size and weight, ease of use, flow rate, and clogging.� I will discuss each of these factors and rate them on a scale of 1-10.

This filter is light on the scale and I gave it a 9 on size and weight.� This filter is the size of a small bike pump at 7 x 3.5 inches and weighs only 7.4 ounces!� I found it to be very easy to pack in the little pouch provided and it was not an item that took up unnecessary space in my Badlands.� This is one of the biggest benefits as size and ounces are critical when trying to keep your pack under 35 pounds for a 3 day hunt like I was.� To keep the weight down more I eliminated the velcro straps on top of the pre-filter and don't pack the quick connect bottle adapter.� After using this filter on a few hunts I don't ever think the Miniworks EX will hit the trail again as it is 16 ounces.

To use this filter is quick and painless so I pumped out a 9.5 on ease of use.� There is a clean side cover for the outlet spout which is to protect the spout from contamination.� After quickly removing the cover, you can either use the quick connect bottle adapter or pump right into your hydration bag like I did.� Then simply place the pre-filter into the cleanest water available and start pumping like you would with a bike pump.�

�

Clean side outlet is what I am holding in my hand.

I used a two inch piece of the tubing and the Camelback Hydrolink filter adapter which allows you to quickly remove your bite valve and connect the filter.� After bleeding the line, I could simply pump my hydration bag full without the hassle of unpacking and then repacking.� Since my hydration bag is one of the heaviest items in my pack I keep it against my back and in the main compartment.� Before I had this filter, I had to unpack everything that was organized around my hydration bag, pull it completely out of my pack, and then try to fill it up in a spring or creek without filling it full of pine needles and leaves from the brush or water.� Now I simply attach the filter to my hydration line, keep my backpack on, fill it up to the desired level, reattach the bite valve, and continue hunting.

If you don't have a filter adapter then you can also use the quick connect bottle adapter.� This connects to the filter on the clean side and screws on most hydration bags or Nalgene type water bottles.

This filter doesn't drip it rips so I gave it a 9.5 in flow rate.� It comes with a pre-filter that floats on the water and has a large amount of surface area that provides an ample water supply.� This is evident by the approximate 20 strokes per liter giving it an approximate�3 liter per minute flow rate.� I would count my pumps so that I could estimate how much water I had transported to my hydration bag and know when to stop.� In comparison the Miniworks EX has a 1 liter per minute flow rate, a substantial difference.� This pre-filter will stop the larger debris from clogging the main hollow fiber filter and, just as manufactures always advise, I would try to place it in the cleanest water available to maximize the life of the filter.

�

One thing I did was to remove the velcro straps that are on top of the pre-filter as I didn't see a need for them and they kept it from sitting flat on the water which is important so you don't suck in air while filtering.� The only issue I had while filtering the first few times was that I would occasionally pull the pre-filter off the water and suck in a little air.� To keep from doing this I would put it in a calmer portion of the creek so it wouldn't float away and then tilt up at an angle because it was at the end of its line.� Also I moved the part of the pump with my hydration line and kept the inflow line as steady as possible.�

I haven't had this filter clog or slow down once so I gave it a 9.� I didn't give it a 10 because I'm sure I could have clogged it in some of the muddy waters of the elk wallows I saw this year but I don't know anyone who would filter water from a mud bath pit.� Also the water that I filter from is usually very clean and clear so I'm sure there are some areas that have murky water with lots of sand or silt that could cause a clog or reduction in flow for this or any other filter.� I have never had any issues with a clogged filter and I always try to find the cleanest water source to prevent these types of issues.� If the filter does clog there is a quick backflush process that should clear it.� To maintain the filter and flow�MSR recommends backflushing every 8 liters.� Pick your puddles wisely if you have to use them as a last resort.

�

The Hyperflow retails for around $100 and is effective against protozoa and bacteria.� It will not filter out taste like a ceramic filter will, such as the Miniworks EX, or chemicals/toxins.� In the areas I hunt the water tastes great but if this is a concern just take a pack of Wilderness Athlete Hydrate and Recover to mix in and this filter will work great for you.� Overall I found this to be a perfect backcountry hunting filter that I will now be carrying in my pack until something new comes out that tops its effectiveness and size.� For more information go to http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/hyperflow.asp and learn more about this product.

[...]

My BLACKHAWK! Blacktimber Pack Review

amaro_jason@hotmail.com — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:00:00 +0100

One of the reason Bowcast was started was to give honest and comprehensive products reviews.� If you pickup any magazine or watch any tv show you will see so called reviews.� The only problem is that many of the people reviewing the products are sponsored by the company.� When I see this I always question the review.�

I have been down the sponsorship or pro-staff road a few times and luckily I have been able to to stay independent.� This affords me the freedom to call it like I see it.� I don't have to help sell a product.

As many of you know I have been reviewing a BLACKHAWK! Blacktimber pack for a few months.� My goal was to really give it a workout.� I didn't want to do one of those reviews that you see in the magazine that just list the specs.� I wanted to be able to say that I really tested a pack and want to feel comfortable with the review that the pack EARNED.

�

I guess I should probably give you guys some of my background as far as packs go.� For the most part I have been using two different Badlands Packs, the 2200 and the 4500 Badlands. Before the review the 2200 was my everyday pack.� �

How did I come to review the Blacktimber?� Well, I saw an advertisement that they had in a magazine and I was intrigued by there design.� So I kept my eyes out for a good deal.� After a few months I found a good deal on a Blacktimber pack, the only problem is that it was digital. No big deal. � For the record, the pack comes in Max-1, Mossy Oak and Digital.

What was my first impression of the pack? � Wow, it was light and the hydration bladder had some neat features.� The bladder hangs from the top of the pack so it doesn't bunch up on the bottom of the pack and the bite value had an optional water filter. �

As far as fit.� It fit really well.� They use this material that they call SpaceNet on the back panel, the shoulder straps and the waist belt, the material is hard to describe; it is kind of like a sponge that keeps air circulating around all the points of contact.� It is also supposed to wick away sweat.� I don't know all the details on the SpaceNet material but I like it. �

Here is a picture of the material.

�

The hip belt and shoulder straps are adequate.� It should be pointed out that the chest strap connects on the right� shoulder, so if you are a right handed archer they will never be a chance of the chest strap buckles getting caught in your bowstring. � The load lifters are fine but this pack isn't designed to carry a lot of weight, I will get more into that a little later. ��

The pack has 4 main storage compartments, for me that is more than enough.� I was able to carry all of my gear on my recent elk and antelope hunts.� The pack has a Shov-it pocket which I think was designed for clothes but I was able to use it to carry my elk decoy.� It worked out really nicely because I could pull the decoy out without removing the pack and messing with zipper.��

The pack also has what they call the S.T.R.I.K.E system sewn into the pack which allows you to attach accessory pouches just about anywhere you want.� I got two; one I used for my rangefinder and the other I used for my GPS and SPOT.� Because I have short arms and a long waist :) I liked the flexibility of adding the pouches where I can get to them.

If you are reading this BLACKHAWK!, I really wish that you would create some sort of accessory that would allow me to attach a one piece quiver to the pack using the S.T.R.I.K.E. system.� I ended up modifying my pack a little by tying in a Cat Quiver on the back of the pack.� It worked out really nicely.

Below is what my pack looks while it is loaded.

�

Okay, so that is all the techie stuff, how did it perform in the field?� Well, I have been using for scouting and hunting and it has been great.� This pack got me thinking that I have been "over-packed", by that I mean I been carry empty cubic inches on my back.� If you don't need a 4500 cubic inch beast why carry all the extra weight?� This pack is 2557 cubic inches and I am able to easily get all of my stuff in the pack and you guys know, I always carry a ton of stuff on my back.� I will say that this pack ISN'T a Meat Hauler, it was designed� to carry essential gear in a nice, compact light fashion.

So the big question, would I recommend this pack?� Before I say yes or no, I need to stress that packs are like shoes, you need to try the pack on with weight in it to see if it fits your body type. ��

And the answer to the question is, YES.� If you are looking for a smaller pack that you could use while scouting or even hunting the Blacktimber is a great pack. �

You can go to their website by clicking� HERE.

J-�

Below is the stats from the website

BlackTimber 100oz Hydration/Hunting Pack

Big capacity meets big hydration. the BlackTimber� was designed for extreme performance with the serious hunter in mind. Featuring over-sized, easy-to use compartments with 2,557 cubic inches of cargo space and 100 oz. of easily accessible liquid, it�s ready for days of action in the back country. Comes complete with BlackHawk�s S.T.R.I.K.E.� system sewn-in for modular attachments, a SpaceNet molded back panel that wicks away sweat and a reinforced waist belt with additional attachment points.Extremely deep Shov-It� pocket is designed to carry bulky items, including dressed meat and antlers, while the pull-out, 244-square-inch blaze orange panel offers additional safety in the field.

NOTE: The blaze orange panel is NOT available on the ARPAT color (73PA04AU)��

� Padded shoulder straps are made with non-slip HawkTex to
�� help keep your rifle sling in place
� Bungee retention system allows for the storing of extra
�� layers of clothes
� Poly-frame sheet with aluminum reinforcement
� Robust waist belt evenly distributes weight and is removable
� Emergency whistle attached to front harness strap
� External shooting sticks/tripod storage on both sides of pack
� Deep expandable center section with pull-out orange panel
�� for safety
� Drink system protected by Microban� antimicrobial
�� technology
� 360-degree bite valve and patent pending quick disconnect
�� system
� BlackHawk bite valve holster keeps bite valve clean and out
�� of the way
� Compatible with BlackHawk in-line water filtration system

Hydration Capacity: 100 oz./ 3 liters
Pack Dimensions:� 21.5H x 10�W x 8�D
Pack Total Cubes:� 2,557� w/stuff pocket

[...]

More from the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT)

south@eastmans.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:56:47 +0100

We survived another 102 miles on the PCT. A couple of the highlights; we covered about 50 miles through the desert—the other 50 through the mountains and snuck through about 30 miles of trail that was closed due to a recent fire. By the second day, Kyri had 6 blisters, 3 matching ones on each foot. I started off loading weight out of her pack, then carried the whole thing on the 4th day. The last day we started out at 8,800 feet with snow on the ground and temps in the low 40’s and descended to the desert floor north of Palm Springs, where we were greeted by 105 degree temps. My water filter gave out on us the second day. The filter needed to be replaced prior to the trip. In my infinite optimism (stupidity), I figured we could squeak one more trip out of it. That left me drinking out of the most suspect water source we encountered on the entire trip on the second day. On day 3 we detoured by a restaurant where I borrowed a couple of ounces of bleach. 2 drops per liter of water and it will render even the nastiest water safe to drink after 5 minutes. Unfortunately, I seemed to have contracted a case of giardia from that one untreated water source. I spared my wife and let her have the balance of the filtered water we had when we came on the stagnant stream I got the water out of. She cast me one of those sideways glances when I stated we were going to need to get water out of it—never mind the tad poles and slime. When you are in the desert, there aren’t a whole lot of options for water, sometimes you have to take what you can get. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the new filter from MSR to test out before we left. But it is good to know that giardia isn’t a totally disabling experience, though I certainly wouldn’t recommend you go out and contract it to see how your body responds to it.

Another thing I found interesting was how much our appetites decreased. Last year we dumped about 8-10 lbs of food halfway through the trip when I realized we had brought way more than we were eating. Remembering that from last year, we reduced the contents of our daily food bags, but still ended up with too much. It seems the heat really reduced our interest in eating and hiking for a week hadn’t quite got our bodies to recognize the increased metabolism and thus need for more calories. On the last day, we ran across another hiker that was lamenting a 3 day food shortage. He was going to have to make a 9 mile round trip detour in town to be able to re-supply to make it to his next food shipment (he was a through hiker). We dumped our large food cache off on him. It was like seeing a kid on Christmas morning, especially when he discovered the elk jerky. I was happy to be relieved of the weight and help out a fellow hiker. Later that day we ran into a European kid that he had shared some of the jerky with and he was thanking us as if we had been handing out pockets full of gold. Good stuff, that jerky is!

On this trip we used a Hubba Hubba HP, the 2 person version of the Hubba. The tent performed flawlessly, one I’d have no trouble recommending if you are hunting with a partner. The only major observation, which I don’t know that you’d encounter during hunting seasons too often, was that when we reached the higher tempatures of the desert floor, the reduction of netting on the HP model made the tent a lot warmer. There wasn’t enough ventilation to take advantage of the slight breeze, so we roasted. My wife is one of those that won’t allow the tent to remain open for more than a few seconds (spider phobia), so I couldn’t leave the tent doors open to take advantage of the evening air conditioning. Trying to sleep in 80+ degree heat in the middle of the night is not my idea of fun.

Despite the blisters, Kyri already wants to go back. There is something so simple about life on the trail—I think most backcountry bowhunters would understand that one.

{multithumb}{multithumb}

[...]

Water Filters

south@eastmans.com — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:42:43 +0100

Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. It has been a little crazy around here. As promised I'm going to tell you about the water filters I was at the Outdoor Retailers Show. The first one is from MSR. The filter is smaller and lighter than any others that I've tried and it blows the doors off of the competition in speed. The Hyperflow Pump is what they are calling it and it weighs just 7.8 oz. It is hard to expect great performance when you are getting such a compact, lightweight unit, but the manufacturer boasts 2.75 liters per minute! That is almost 3 times the speed of most of the filters out there. I tried it at the show and was surprised at how little effort it required to use. Also, a great boon to it's design is that it is field serviceable; no disposable cartridge to plug halfway through your trip. It takes a couple of minutes to disassemble the pump to backflush the system, but the inconvenience is well worth the benefit. I've had my disposable filter pump leave me high and dry when filtering murky water.

Another new pump that I thought was worth adding to your equipment list is the Platypus Cleanstream. It is a gravity filter with using the same filter technology as the MSR Hyperflow. With this filter, simply fill the 4 liter bag, elevate it above the other and the inline filter does the work for you. It is spec'd at 4 liters in under 2 1/2 minutes! Cleaning the filter on this one is even easier, simply disconnect your "dirty" water bag and elevate the filtered bag. The filter gets back flushed, dumping the sediment back onto the ground. Unfortunately, I don't have a weight spec to provide you with, but their stuff is usually really light. I'd expect no different from this one. I'll be field testing one or the other of these filters on the next leg of the Pacific Crest Trail my wife and I are hiking next month and I'll give you feedback if either is anything less than excellent.

I got some correspondence from a reader asking about how I got over the physiological impact of the bear mauling I experienced when I was bowhunting in '92. The inquiry also got me thinking about addressing how I personally was able to become comfortable with making extended solo backcountry trips. First the bear mauling recovery (for those who haven't read about that, it is published in Cameron Hane's book Bowhunting Trophy Blacktail, still available through his website I'm sure). I was very fortunate with the extent of injuries I received. It was a couple of months before I was able to shoot my bow again. By that time archery season had come and gone, but the opener of rifle season for bear hit about the same time I recovered physically. I wasn't able to find anyone to go with me, but was very anxious to see how I would handle getting close to a bear again. Back in civilization, it was easy to talk about and I didn't worry about what might happen if and when I would encounter a bear again. I knew that all could easily change when I had one at close range though. So, I loaded up my bivy pack for a 4 day hunt and headed out. Opening morning I glassed up a bear in a berry patch on a steep hillside. With the thermals wafting gently up the hill, I was able to close the gap easily while he (I presume) was busy stripping the bushes. About 20 yards above the bear was a large rock. I climbed up on top of it, which brought me well above the level of the bushes around me. The bear sat directly below me, totally engrossed in the business at hand. I had a small opening lining up with the bear's chest, but a small branch partially screened a clear shot. My heart was beating overtime, I was shaking like a leaf as I waited for the bear to turn slightly to offer a clear shot. Anxiety coursed through my veins totally uninhibited, I just knew that bear was going to jerk me off that rock and finish the job the other one had started. After some great duration of time, the bear finally turned. As he began to move, I drew my bow. Just as I was beginning to settle in, the bear completed his turn and lifted his head. Despite their poor eyesight, the silhouette was not mistaken and he wasted no time in clearing out. I let out a sigh of relief that almost cleared my stomach as I let my bow down. I had my answer, I could do it, albeit not very gracefully, but I'm confident I could have pulled it off. Regardless, I know I was happier that he had left than I was disappointed that I didn't fill my tag. By facing my fears I learn where my limits are. I ended up leaving that trip early, my release broke and I had no back-up. I was relieved to have an excuse not to put myself in the predator/prey or prey/predator position again. I was pretty rattled from the one encounter and managed to get in another stalk where I was winded before I got a shot. The following year I was able to close the deal on opening weekend with a 300 boar. I also helped two other buddies fill their bear tags on spot and stalk hunts that season. Since then I haven't hunted them much, but it is more because they don't grow antlers than out of concern of becoming a meal. The year after I got mauled I did run into a sow with cubs in the bottom of the same canyon. The cub walked out of a thick patch of willows I was walking by in the middle of the day. A stiff wind blew in my face and it was eating up the 20 yards between us as it wandered in my direction. My pack hit the ground as soon as I saw it and I was frantically rooting through it to find my pepper spray. By the time I got my hands on it, the cub was only 15 yards away and the sow had emerged from the willows as well. When she spotted my form, she stood up and woofed at the cub. It ran by me and up a tree, leaving me in a very uncomfortable position. With the wind blowing in my face, I knew if I blasted her with the pepper spray I would be self medicated also. It was a tense moment as she dropped to all fours, I just knew I was going to see her beady eyes bearing down on me. She did a stutter step, then turned and barreled off through the willows. I turned and made record time out of the canyon. That experience was about enough to make me take up quilting for a safer hobby. I think one of the things that allows me to overcome my fears is a positive attitude (some might judge it as a bit reckless) that everything is going to be alright. I don't look at a situation and imagine or visualize the worst, instead I look at it and figure out how I can do it. My discovery of pepper spray and the research I did on it's effectiveness gave me a tremendous amount of confidence and helped me be successful in my return to bear country. When it first came out, pepper spray was 15% capsicum pepper. Now, it has been reduced to less than 2%. I'm not nearly as confident with the lower percentage and would hesitate to recommend it as your only source of back-up. I wouldn't be too worried about the blackies, but Kodiak in Oct/Nov, I think I'd be packing the heat.

I had a friend ask me one time how I am able to do the solo trips. Anybody that knows me will tell you I'm no macho he-man. I startle easily, can't watch scary (even remotely) movies and I do enjoy the company of a good hunting buddy. If someone was to ask me how they might be able to mentally condition themselves to be able to confidently make solo excursions into the backcountry, I would recommend a slow immersion rather than trial by fire. My first attempt at a solo trip was when I was 17. I loaded my pack for an overnight and dropped into a deep canyon. As the sun sank lower, so did my confidence. I looked around and convinced myself this area didn't look as good once I got down into it as it did from the top. I made record time back up to the truck and was "safely" surrounded by other people back at the campground that night. One might look at that as a failure, but I look at it as a first step. My next, more successful trips, were short, solo overnight forays from a basecamp I shared with a hunting partner. Incremental steps, I feel is the best way to success. On my early, extended solo trips I carried a small radio, just to hear a voice. Now, an ipod might be more practical. Carry a note pad and take notes about your trip or a letter to your wife. Sometimes just feeling like you are carrying on a conversation is enough to overcome temporary anxiety. When I'm on top of the mountain, when cell service is possible, I'll check in with my wife or a hunting buddy. The times I've spent alone up in the mountains rank as some of the most memorable in my life. It is well worth whatever dues you need to pay to be able to make those solo trips up there.

Once again, keep the questions/feedback coming. I'd love to help wherever I can. Next entry I'll cover my gear list (another request) and talk a bit about why I chose or use the particular items.

[...]