MSR Guardian

[bearstalker]

Anyone have this water filter? Thoughts? From what I read it was designed for the military and suppose to filter out viruses and bacteria. Spendy though at $300+

 

[mrbillbrown]

I'd like to hear about this also...


molon labe

 

[Airw4ves]

Got hands on with it and it seems like a well thought out product. Not as heavy as I would have thought either, and feels fairly solidly built. I still have reservations about how a polymer pump costs $400 and can withstand all the things it claims it can, but I also realise the advancements made in plastics now a days. If I am to compare it to equally priced products like the Katadyn Hiker Pro, the Katadyn's fit and feel is much better. But at a trade off of much more weight, potential damage of ceramic filter, and non purifying capability.
Long story short, its on my list for sure, but I have other higher priority items that I'll be saving for before I drop the cash on one. Until then, the Sawyer squeeze and tabs will have to do.

 

[USMC2602]

I just picked one up. Got it NIB for a much reduced rate, as I was choking on the approx $350 tab as well. All I've done so far is try it out at home, ran some water in a bucket and threw the pre-filter in, filled up my nalgene in about a minute and a half. Seems very solid and well designed, pleased with the size and weight dimensions. Ran the "integrity test" as described in the instructions when I received, very easy and quick to perform. Will be taking it on my fly-in to Alaska next year. Probably would have waited until closer to the trip, but again, found it at a great price. One of the main things that attracted me is the no-clog, no-backflushing design.

 

[Shotgun]

I've had one for about a month. So far I like it a lot. Much faster than my old micro works. Pump times have always been the draw back to pumps, but this one goes pretty quick. So far I have only used it in clear water high lakes. I've always been pretty happy with MSR products so I gave this one a chance and burned up my REI dividend on it.

 

[Timberghost]

Usmc, how big is your nalgene? It is supposed to pump 2.5 liters per minute. Or is there rating out to lunch. Thanks, rob

 

[USMC2602]

Rob,

Just the standard size nalgene. Their rating is probably pretty accurate, I just guesstimated the timing when I was trying it out. I was actually pretty impressed by the rate/flow compared to other pumpers. I'll try to test it again this week and give you a better time check.

By the way, beware of spellcheck! If I hadn't been paying attention, my first sentence would have been, "Just the standard size maleness". Damn.

Kurt

 

[Timberghost]

Kurt, that's funny right there. Let me know if you can time it out. Appreciate it, Rob

 

[USMC2602]

Rob,

Went to test it this evening, and "my" nalgene is apparently at dance class! Anyway, I ran 8 cups (1.893 liters) in 1 minute, 6 seconds. Wasn't trying to set a record either, just what I'd call a normal field use pace. Could probably get to their rating without too much trouble, if you really went after it. Hope that helps.

Kurt

 

[Timberghost]

Kurt, thanks for the info. I may just have to pick one up.
Thanks, Rob

 

[Airw4ves]

Chatted with MSR today and asked about their ability to get away with the freeze proof claim. Here's what I got back for those of you interested like I was.

"Thanks for emailing me. It has to do with the orientation of the fibers in the actual filter element. Think of the fibers as a cluster of straws--in most of our Hollow Fiber filters like the Autoflow and Hyperflow the straws are bent in a U shape with the openings at the one end and the bend at the other. If water gets trapped in the U-bend of the filter and freezes, the water will expand and burst the fibers rendering the filter useless.

On the Guardian, however, because the fibers are smaller than those on our other filters the engineers were able to orient them in a straight, up and down orientation. If water begins to freeze inside of a Guardian it will simply be pushed out either end of the filter element and do no harm to the integrity of the fibers.

Hope this helps,
Danny"

To add to my already great love of Cascade Designs CS, my email was replied to within about 15min of me sending it.

 

[USMC2602]

Great info, thanks for posting.

 

[weedwacker42]

I have one of these purifiers, but am trying to figure out how to set it up for inline filling of my Source bladder. Anyone know what type of tubing and set-up I would use to fit on the end of the Guardian and then into the QMT on the Source tubing? This is purely for convenience of course, as the Guardian screws directly on the bladder opening if the bladder is taken out of the pack.