Gravity Filter: Sawyer vs Platypus? Both on sale.

[Bughalli]

I might try a Gravity filter for backpack hunts this year. Many of the guys I respect in the hunting media who focus on backpack hunts are using them. Some use Sawyer and others Platypus. Do you guys have a preference? Pros/cons? You using the 2ltr or 4ltr? Are there differences in tips or connectors that impact functionality?

I'm leaning towards 4ltr Platypus for these reasons:
- lighter weight (if I recall around 7oz lighter)
- clear bags (see what's in them and if they're getting moldy)
- bigger top opening in the dirty bag, which should be much easier to fill.
- bigger top opening makes it easier to dry after trip
- easier to clean the dirty bag

Both are on sale at REI and EMS for Memorial Day...if not on sale, they offer a 20% off coupon.

 

[SHTF]

I went off the beaten path and did my own setup to get the best of both worlds. Used the Platypus Big zip for a couple years. its a great setup. Ive used it in conjunction with my Sawayer Squeeze filter. I found the Sawayer filter to be the easiest to maintain. Also easier to clean out or backfill if I needed to clear it. You definitely have the right idea though with the Platypus bags. They are nice to fill with dirty water. with the way you open them. Yes they stay closed. Ive never had an issue with the bag coming loose or leaking. But its going to depend on how well you take care of them and don't beat them up to bad.
The Sawayer Filter itself has more life then then the Platypus filter. 1500 Liters to Sawyers 1 Million Gallon. Since your talking about the REI sale. Get the platypus setup get the sawyer adapter kit along with the Sawyer Filter. Then you have a backup once you are ready to switch out the platypus filter. As long as you don't let the filter freeze it should last your for years. My 2 cents.

 

[PA 5-0]

Don't know how u can beat the Sawyer Squeeze 3 bag kit. I wouldn't leave home without it. Lightweight, filters fast and effortless. Great, easy backwash. I've had to "give away" 3 already. 5 stars.

 

[charvey9]

I've run both but use the Platypus over the Sawyer. Have never had any probelms with either, but the platypus is much lighter and the bags are easier to fill since they zip from the top instead of a hole in the side..

 

[Bughalli]

So far I'm leaning towards the Platypus. I added another benefit to my original post - the dirty bag is easy to clean and dry out due to the big opening. I'm thinking about mix and matching bags. Go with 4ltr dirty bag, then two 2ltr bags. This way on day hunts from spike camp I can take 2ltrs and leave 2ltrs, vs carry 4ltrs. Or bring extra bags, but I was trying to save weight.

 

[charvey9]

I just run the 2 liter system for up to 2 people. 2 liters is about 67oz, so plenty of water to do 2 dehydrated meals and 2 drink mixes (mtn ops, wilderness athlete, etc) at one time. The gravity filter system works fast, so no real advangate to the 4 liter unless you have a larger group.

No need to carry extra bags. I just filter direct from the dirty bag into my jetboil, hydration bladder, bottle, etc. It is like having a backcountry faucet. Saves on weight/bulk in your pack. If needed, I just pull my hydration bladder out of my pack and fill that to use as a clean bag around camp, and also fill it each night so I'm good to go on water when I ieave camp the next morning.

One other nice feature of the Platypus system that probably goes overlooked is the little adapters that come with the filter. They have one that fits over the push-pull caps that screw on to all their bladders and soft bottles. Makes it really easy to throw that on the filter hose and walk away from your bottle or bladder while it fills. It also comes with one that screws on to nalgene sytle bottles, but I have never used it. Their filter hose also comes with a pinch stop so you can stop/start the flow. Both those could be adapted to the Sawyer system, but it is nice they come with the Platypus kit.

My entire water filtration kits consists of:
2L dirty bag
Hose & Filter (I shortened my hose by about 2 feet so I don't need to hang it as high.)
3L Hoser Bladder
1L Soft Bottle
Push/Pull cap adapter

 

[Bughalli]

Thanks...I just placed one on order from REI since it was 20% off. I opted for the 4ltr vs 2ltr simply because some of the high alpine areas I hunt require a pretty good hike just to get to water. Thus, I would rather do it fewer times and the 4ltr should get me through a couple days. It's so light I can half fill it if I don't need that much water. I don't believe the 4ltr comes with all the extra accessories, but I'm not sure I would really need them either.

 

[jeffpg]

https://www.rei.com/product/866422/...D=120217890000856011&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

This one?
I'm about to get one too I think.

 

[efnm]

This thread led me to pick up a Sawyer mini, a big zip bag, and a quick connect adaptor. I can use my existing bladders for the clean bags and I estimate I only spent $50 on those three items.

 

[Bughalli]

https://www.rei.com/product/866422/...D=120217890000856011&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

This one?
I'm about to get one too I think.

Yeah, that's what I ordered. It's expensive for what is (couple plastic bags) but worth it with 20% off. I've heard so many great things about the setup and the last thing I enjoy doing while hunting is making a water run.

I tried the Sawyer mini last year, mainly just to check it out. I didn't use it in a gravity setup. It worked, but damn it was slow. I stopped using it and used iodine tablets just because it's so much faster. Still plan to use it Sawyer, but more as backup on day hunts (non-backpack hunts).

 

[Broken Compass]

What is the difference between the sawyer and the sawyer mini other than size?

 

[PantherCity]

What is the difference between the sawyer and the sawyer mini other than size?

The sawyer mini is slightly smaller and way slower.

I have the regular squeeze and like it a lot. I have a few bladders and some qds in all my lines so I can filter straight into my bag without removing it from my pack. I also filter straight into a cup, pot or bottle.

You can use a smartwater bottle flip top to back flush instead the syringe. The same threads are used by most water/soda bottles, sawyer & platypus. It's good to back flush every 10-20 liters to keep it clean and flowing fast.

 

[Dos Perros]

How do you get the water into the squeeze pouch?

 

[PantherCity]

I have a zip pouch. I have also just kinda scooped it up which works ok in deep water. Once I used an empty ziplock that had almonds in it to scoop and dump. After that I bought the wide mouth zip bladder to use for my dirty bag.

 

[Bughalli]

How do you get the water into the squeeze pouch?

Major pain in the butt. Darn thing collapses when you put it in the water. You end up needing another bag to fill it. Hence I wanted the Platypus dirty bag because it has the zip lock top, making it easier to fill.

 

[jeffpg]

https://www.rei.com/product/866422/...D=120217890000856011&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

This one?


I'm about to get one too I think.

Ok, I got this Platypus filter system and now I want a new bladder for my EXO 3500. I like the Source products a lot, and especially this one. If there is a better all around option than this one, please share it with me.

http://sourcetacticalgear.com/tactical-hydration-systems/91-wxp-3l-hydration-upgrade-kit.html

 

[sr80]

How do these gravity filters work when youre above the timberline, will they still work as well when if youve got your dirty bag laying uphill of the clean bag? Or does that dirty bag have to be straight up above the clean bag to be efficient?

 

[dotman]

So many options on bags for a gravity system. I always keep a sawyer mini filter and 4L platy bag as my day hunt water system. For a camp system I use a 10L MSR drom bag that I use to for all camp activities from cooking to refilling my pack bladder before leaving camp.

I've been using the original sawyer filter since it first came out and the mini since it came out, both work great especially for the price.

 

[LBFowler]

Don't know if it has been mentioned yet (but every time I see this comparison it never is):
Platy= 0.2 micron
Sawyer= 0.1 micron

don't know if you care but it seems pertinent. I always here about how the platy if faster, guess why...