SteriPEN Sidewinder

Bella Rae · 12-31-2011, 10:43 AM

I was scanning the net, just looking at camping gear, when I came across the SteriPEN Sidewinder. It sounded interesting, so I thought I would share this product with everyone. What do you think, good idea or waste of money? The following is a qoute, direct from Aol Travel.

"1. SteriPEN Sidewinder: Weighing in at just over a pound, this handy water purification device uses ultraviolet light to kill all the nasty little beasties in up to one liter of non-purified water. The system requires no batteries - simply crank the handle for about 90 seconds. The end result is perfectly drinkable water. It also comes with a pre-filter if the source water contains debris. Great for not only camping trips but also for emergencies at home. Retails at around $100 U.S."

catspa · 12-31-2011, 10:46 AM

Hmmm. Got a linky?

Parker

Grandpa · 12-31-2011, 10:56 AM

A filter makes the steripen look better. I could not see the purpose of a steripen before because why kill the rat if you are going to still grind it up and put it in the casserole for supper. Thats why instead of a steripen, I bought a couple of new filters for the hikerpro.

catspa · 12-31-2011, 11:21 AM

I've got a small filter that cost me about 20 bucks, but I carry a lot of water too and boil creek water for soup and oatmeal, etc. My filter gets it visually clear (although often it is right out of the creek). It's cool that the Steripen kills giardia, that's the most common ailment here of drinking creek water.

I'll be visiting REI Seattle in a couple weeks, and check it out in person.

Parker

Pathfinder1 · 12-31-2011, 11:28 AM

[QUOTE=Bella Rae;

"1. SteriPEN Sidewinder: Weighing in at just over a pound, this handy water purification device uses ultraviolet light to kill all the nasty little beasties in up to one liter of non-purified water. The system requires no batteries - simply crank the handle for about 90 seconds. The end result is perfectly drinkable water. It also comes with a pre-filter if the source water contains debris. Great for not only camping trips but also for emergencies at home. Retails at around $100 U.S."[/QUOTE]

Hi...

Providing the item works as advertised, the treated water will only be PURE if the only contaminents it contained were biological-type.

Did the ad state as to what percentage of the "nasties" would be removed?

craig · 12-31-2011, 12:30 PM

Yeah, I too prefer water filters to filter all the stuff out and not drink it dead. But purification methods are a must if you need 100% clean water, because filter can't filter viruses, we all know that.

catspa · 12-31-2011, 01:30 PM

Um, right. Now we all know that. Thanks.

Parker

pastywhite · 12-31-2011, 04:21 PM

Steripen is just a piece of gear. It might not be something you use every trip but you'll be glad you have it available. I use an older Steripen and love it. It alters the DNA in the organic material so it cannot replicate. It doesn't actually kill the critters, just makes it so they cannot replicate. The water needs to be clear enough for the light to penetrate all areas inside your container. It does nothing at all for non-organic material so it will clean water contaminated with chemicals (zinc, etc)

The Sidewinder is a different type of product though. To me, the point of the Steripen is quick, hassle free, small, light-weight water treatment when you start with a known water source. The water here is free flowing and does not have chemical runoff from industry. We DO have Giardia and Cryptosporidium. I don't see why I would want to take something the same size and weight as a traditional filter. It doesn't look like any less hassle either. I really like the other Steripen products but the Sidewinder doesn't look like something I would use.