Title: SteriPEN Adventure Opti-Water Purifier

Editor: Reed

Basic Description of Item:

The lightest, quickest, and most effective portable water purifier that I know of.

Just the Facts:

• Manufacturer, SteriPEN
• Weight: 103g/3.6 oz. with batteries.
• Size: 15.5cm. (6.1in.) x 3.3cm. (1.5in.) x 2.2cm. (1.0in.)
• Battery: Uses two CR123 batteries (included).  This is the same batteries as many of your red dot sights and surefire flashlights.
• Battery life: Disposable — 100 treatments (16oz./0.5L); Rechargeable — 40-50 treatments (16oz./0.5L)
• UV Lamp Life: 8,000 treatments
• MSRP:  $89.95

Story:

I stated before that I’m an old backpacker (again, emphases on “old”).  Since I pack an inordinate amount of muscle on my hikes (I wish it was muscle), I’m forced to be sensitive to the useful weight of the items that I pack.  I have several great and useful filter type portable water purifiers, but I find that I usually just don’t pack them with me when it counts.  The SteriPEN Adventurer Opti is just the ticket for me.  It is light, small, and quick.  It uses Ultraviolet light to kill harmful microorganisms, bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.  Even though this product is new to me, it is long proven technology in use in many municipal water treatment systems.

We all know that water is by far the most important survival item that we can have.  Now, thanks to SteriPEN, I can carry the ability for safe drinking water in my smallest go-bag.  The bottom line is now I do carry it.

I have learned first hand that Giardia is a quick and effective way to loose 10 ugly pounds (I know there is a joke in there somewhere), but after that initial desperately needed weight loss, it just plain sucks… or should I say blows!

In summary, this is a quick, light, and convenient product that I actually carry with me.  It doesn’t involve pumping, drying out, or all the other excuses that gave me an excuse to leave my other filter type water purifiers at home.  The only downside to this ultraviolet type of water treatment product is that it doesn’t filter the gunk out of water, but they do have a small filter as an option.

What they could do better: 

Put instructions for turning on the view light (emergency flashlight) on the case so I don’t have to read the instructions.