BootsnAll Travel Community

Ok kids,
We're heading to Mali and Senegal next year, boat trip on the Niger river to Timbuktu included. I hate having lots of luggage and know the water in Dakar is safe (so much chlorine that nothing survives and I already lived there once). So I need something small and light for the rest of the trip... Miox is flirting with the geek in me. Thoughts? alternative suggestions?

The MSR Miox is cool, BUT it requires batteries, it's expensive and is notoriously breakable.

I like Polar Pure iodine crystals. It tastes better than traditional iodine tabs, and is VERY cheap.

Maybe it's just me, but water is one of things I REALLY like to have access to and KNOW it's safe. My choice is a little bulky but it is the best: First Need Deluxe Water Purifier. There are no other filters that filter out sub-micron particles (read: viruses). It pumps easy, water bottles attach to the base, and it's pretty rugged. I'm departing RTW in May and I'll have one with me (and an extra set of filters). I've pumped some rather dark waters through mine and it's better then bottled on the other end! Expect to pay about $100.00USD

quote:

Originally posted by scott28403:
First Need Deluxe Water Purifier. There are no other filters that filter out sub-micron particles (read: viruses).

Indeed. That's why chemical treatment is the most effective and cheapest option.

quote:

The MSR Miox is cool, BUT it requires batteries, it's expensive and is notoriously breakable.

Yes, the MSR Miox is cool.

Yes, it is expensive.

Yes, it does require batteries (and salt) which fortunately can be found most everywhere giving you an endless supply of water treatment (although the batteries are 3V so if you don't bring spares it may require some McGyver'ing to get standard 1.5V to work)

Notoriously breakable. I am not so sure. My Miox has been around and certainly still works, and I have difinitely had to repair or toss out my fair share of filters over the years.

Skimax's recomendation of Polar Pure is also very good and certainly cheaper. Although, for cheap chemical treatment I tend to prefer Aqua Mira.

to clean the clear water we got out of north carolina streams, our outward bound guides had us drop 3 drops of bleach into a nalgene then wait for 30 minutes. everybody else used iodine but im special so i got accomodated

I have just purchased the First Need model mentioned above.
I think it is ideal if you are travelling for a long time, and /or are in one place with undrinkable water due to cholera,etc. It was reccomended to me by the World Health Organization when I asked them for suggestions regarding water.
It's not that heavy-only 15 ounces-and it packs pretty small. 1 canister would last you about 6 months (for one person's water use). You could mail new canisters along the way.
Gigirtw

an inexpensive backup to whatever water treatment device one decides to carry is bleach. i just got back from my A.T. thru hike and treated my water with 2 drops of bleach per liter(chlorine, un-scented), from a little plastic eye-dropper bottle. weighs only 1/2 and ounce and should at least a month. never got sick. drank out of streams, creeks, and a few ponds. aqua-mira is another option for those squeamish about adding bleach. the steripen is yet another alternative for those looking for high-tech gadgetry. i've used all three, and probably will bring the steripen, bleach, and a bunch of batteries for my upcoming trip.

I'm a real fan of the Steripen Adventurer UV treatment.

It takes care of everything even viruses and leaves no taste whatsoever. Thinking it's much healthier than using iodine or bleach, and it can be used in a restaurant one glass of water at a time.

Nice to have a cool glass of safe water ! Works very well with the Camelback 1 liter bottle, the taper on the bottle allows easy stirring of contents with the Steripen.

The only drawback is the attention this little unit attracts, it has a major coolness factor that gets noticed ! I chose a black Camelback bottle to treat my water in public.

quote:

Originally posted by Lauren Nicole:
The only drawback is the attention this little unit attracts, it has a major coolness factor that gets noticed !

The other drawback: It doesn't work in cloudy, murky, or otherwise "not perfect" water. Not that most of us would want to drink cloudy water anyway...

Actually, it still does work. All you do is double the exposure time.

Caution is wise for floating solids that might contain pathogens shaded within them. The manufacturer has a fast pre-filter if needed.

This thing is really powerful. I've pulled it out of the water while lit. For the second before the sensors react (to turn it off) it creates a VERY noticeable surge of Ozone. I assume from tearing the molecules in the air apart.

Its a tool to take seriously.

quote:

Originally posted by Lauren Nicole:
This thing is really powerful. I've pulled it out of the water while lit. For the second before the sensors react (to turn it off) it creates a VERY noticeable surge of Ozone. I assume from tearing the molecules in the air apart.

Please don't destroy the universe.