New MSR Guardian Filter and Purifier

[COlineman78]

MSR has announced a new filter that is claiming much higher throughput while filtering both bacteria and killing viruses with no chemicals. They also claim that even though it is hollow fiber it can freeze and can produce 10,000 liters before it is no longer useful. It also backwashes 10% of the water to make it self cleaning and ensure constant high output. It's available in January for $350.

What do you guys think? Do you buy all these claims? I'm not sure I buy the virus purification if it is only a hollow fiber filter which is all that's listed. I'm also not sure I buy the freezing claim unless it somehow ensures that it's dry afterward. Would you guys spend $350 with the Sawyer Mini at just $15?

http://www.gizmag.com/msr-guardian-water-purifier/39578/
http://gearjunkie.com/msr-guardian-water-purifier-review

 

[dotman]

Not worth the high price when you can get a Sawyer so cheap, IMO.

 

[dreamingbig]

No. I would stick with a sawyer and keep it in my sleeping bag when not in use. Worked well this fall for me.

 

[SHTF]

I will be owning one of them when they come out. I dont mind the high price especially with the testing they did on it. Sounds like a true lifetime filter. Wonder how much the filters would be to replace. 10k liters is a lot of water.

 

[bobhunts]

I like it too! Just wondering about the weight? I just bought a MSR Hyperflow to save weight and realize where I have to pull my water source from using it.

 

[IanF.]

It's not too difficult to do some quality testing of effectiveness of filters with simple bacterial testing. Used to do this teaching microbiology, toilet water is a guarentteed source and before and after is all you need. Wish these authors would do,something concrete and not just supposition.

Ian

 

[jm1607]

Kinda heavy & pricey, but looks nice.. Not sure if it's worth the difference in $$ between it and a sweewater or hiker pro

 

[twall13]

General Ecology makes the First Need XLE water purifier that is a similar weight and also a purifier, not just a filter. It can be found for around $100. The biggest differences I see here are that the MSR looks more durable (and "cool"), the MSR supposedly won't freeze, and the MSR has the automatic backflush feature. If you really want a purifier rather than just a filter you'd have to decide if those extra features are worth the extra cost. I'm thinking the automatic backflush might be worth the price over time. Hopefully some other filters start incorporating that feature as that's just a fantastic idea. I'd pack the extra weight to have it.

 

[tipsntails7]

Interesting piece that's for sure. I'd be interested to learn why this hollow core can freeze and not break? I can understand why mil guys may want it, and if you were a serious prepper you would probably buy one, but for backpacking that thing is insanely priced.

 

[orionsbrother]

tipsntails +1

I have a gravity fed Sawyer. I'd like an explanation as to why freezing isn't an issue.

I don't find protecting my Sawyer from freezing in the field is all that onerous, it's on my mind. But I'd pay a premium to not stumble out to my truck in the teeth of a storm at quarter to three a.m. to get my filter, paranoid that it might not be totally dry and could be freezing.

I just don't know about rationalizing that much premium. My stumbling and swearing in the dark comes pretty cheap in the bulk pack.