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Purifiers
Use these for maximum water cleansing
when water sources are suspect
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MicroFilters
Use these where/when water sources
are considered bacteriologically safe
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Features
|
First Need
 |
First Need
Base Camp
 |
Trav-L-Pure
 |
Trav-L-Pure
Camper
 |
Exstream XR Bottle
 |
Travel Well Pocket
 |
|
Katadyn
Pocket
 |
Katadyn
Combi
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Katadyn
Mini
 |
MicroLite
 |
| Manufacturer |
General Ecology |
General Ecology |
General Ecology |
General Ecology |
Katadyn |
PreMac |
|
Katadyn |
Katadyn |
Katadyn |
General Ecology |
| Purification or Filtration Technology |
Structured Matrix:
1. Ultrafine micro straining
2. Broad spectrum molecular capture
3. Electrostatic removal
|
Activated carbon
Iodine resin
Micro cyst filter
3-part: |
Activated charcoal (carbon) cloth
Iodine resin
|
|
Silver impregnated ceramic depth filter (inhibits bacteria growth within the filter) |
Silver impregnated ceramic depth filter(inhibits bacteria growth within the filter) |
Silver impregnated ceramic depth filter(inhibits bacteria growth within the filter) |
Carbon micro filter |
| Hold Time, Backwashing, or Secondary Treatment |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
Hold
2 min. |
|
None |
None |
None |
None |
Benefits
& Primary Application |
All General Ecology products remove pathogens rather than simply poisoning them & leaving the residue in the water to be consumed |
Cost & convenience |
Cost & size |
|
Incredible durability & capacity |
Versatility & capacity |
Size & capacity |
Cost, size |
| Hiking / camping |
Group camping & expeditions
High flow rate
|
World & business traveller |
Campers & RV vehicles |
Sports & hiking |
Emergency prep & first aid |
|
Hiking / camping |
Hiking / camping
Campers & RV vehicles
Cabins
|
Hiking / camping |
Hiking / camping |
| Flow Rate |
1.8 qt/min
(1.7 L/min) |
0.5 gal/min
(1.9 L/min) |
1.32 qt/min
(1.25 L/min) |
0.5 gal/min
(1.9 L/min) |
6.8 oz/min
(200 ml/min) |
6.8 oz/min
(200 ml/min) |
|
1.06 qt/min
(1 L/min) |
1.06 qt/min
(1 L/min) |
0.5 qt/min
(0.5 L/min) |
1.0 pt/min
(0.47 L/min) |
| Storage capacity |
X |
X |
22 oz
(600ml) |
X |
28 oz
(830ml) |
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
Typical Canister Capacity
(note: depends on water source quality) |
125 gal
(475 L) |
500 gal
(1900 L) |
105 gal
(400 L) |
125 gal
(475 L) |
26 gal
(100 L) |
13.2 gal
(50 L) |
|
13,200 gal
50,000 L |
13,200 gal
50,000 L |
2,000 gal
7,000 L |
100 pt
47 L |
| Micron Retention |
0.1 nominal
0.4 absolute |
0.1 nominal
0.4 absolute |
0.1 nominal
0.4 absolute |
0.1 nominal
0.4 absolute |
not avail |
not indicated |
|
0.2 nominal
? absolute |
0.2 nominal
? absolute |
0.2 nominal
? absolute |
0.5 nominal
(1.0 absolute) |
| |
Contaminant Removal...
|
Pathogenic Cysts
(eg. Cryptosporidia, Giardia) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Disease Bacteria
(eg. E.Coli, Fecal Coliform, Salmonella) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Viruses |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
Chemical Contaminants
(eg. pesticides, herbicides, toxic chemicals. Specifics are available upon request) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Some |
Some |
|
Some |
Some |
Some |
Some |
| Chlorine |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
No
(requires carbon pre-filter) |
No
(requires carbon pre-filter) |
No
(requires carbon pre-filter) |
No |
Aesthetic Contaminants
(eg. foul taste, odor, color) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dimensions &
Dry Weight |
Pump: 8"
20cm
15 oz
425g
|
4.1 x 8.9"
5.5 x 23cm
5.5 lbs
2.5 kg
|
6.6x4.4x3.3"
16.8x11.2x8.4cm
22 oz
625g
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5.2 x 3.2"
13.2 x 8cm
12 oz
340g
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3 x 11"
7.5 x 29cm
7.4 oz
210g
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0.9 x 5.1"
2 x 13cm
2.3 oz
65g
|
|
2.3 x 10.5"
6 x 27cm
21 oz
580g
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2.3 x 10.5"
6 x 27cm
21 oz
580g
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3.1 x 2 x 7"
8 x 5 x 18cm
8 oz
210g
|
2.75 x 5.5"
7 x 14cm
7 oz
200g
|
|
| Other Features |
Includes:
carry bag, built-in bottle adaptor
Hydration pack adaptors available
Sealed cartidges eliminate possible contact with contaminants
1-year warranty
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Rugged design
10-year warranty
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Includes:
carrying case, test dye
1-year warranty
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Simple threaded connection to hoses & hook-ups
1-year warranty
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Bite valve on straw
Carry loop
Fits standard bike bottle cages
1-year warranty
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Disposable
10+ years shelf life
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Includes: hydration accessory, prefilter, bottle clip, carry bag, useage gauge, cleaning pad
Field cleanable
20-year warranty
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Includes: bottle adaptor, prefilter, carry bag, useage gauge, cleaning pad
Field cleanable
Optional:
faucet kit
2-year warranty
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Includes: prefilter, bottle clip, carry bag, useage gauge, cleaning pad
Field cleanable
2-year warranty
|
1-year warranty |
| Outpost Price |
Check |
Call |
Check |
Check |
Check |
Check |
|
Call |
Check |
Call |
Check |
Back to...
Water Department
A quick look at common purification methods...
The products listed in our table above are among the most highly rated available. But how do they compare against products found in typical outdoor stores, groceries, & pharmacies? Why not just boil your water to be safe?
Have a look at the following table, and then decide for yourself what level of risk you are willing to take...
| Removes or destroys... |
First Need "Structured Matrix" |
Ceramic candle filter |
Pour-Through Filters |
Filter Straws |
Boiling |
Treatment Chemicals |
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Bacteria
|
Yes |
Varies |
Varies |
Inconsistent/
Unknown |
Yes |
Varies |
|
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|
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Viruses
|
Yes |
No |
Varies |
Inconsistent/
Unknown |
Yes |
Varies |
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Cysts
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Yes |
Yes |
Varies |
Varies |
Yes |
Inconsistent/
Unknown |
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Pesticides/Toxic Chemicals
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Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
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Dirt & Sediment
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Yes |
Yes |
Varies |
No |
No |
No |
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Foul Tastes & Odors
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Yes |
No |
Varies |
No |
No |
No |
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Indicates End Of Useful Capacity
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Yes |
Inconsistent/
Unknown |
No |
No |
Inconsistent/
Unknown |
No |
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Inconsistent/Unknown: Test results vary, or are not provided at all
Varies: Test results depend on individual manufacturers' product design & purification steps
Back to...
Water Department
Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking Water Purification Systems...
1. How can I tell if my drinking water really is safe?
There are so many different types of contaminants that it is impossible to be completely sure on all possibilities. You can, however, have your water tested for bacteriological safety and for specific contaminants. The NORS (National Organics Reconnaissance Survey) showed that essentially all treated water supplies have at least trace amounts of chemical contaminants, such as THM’s, present. More importantly, Giardia and Cryptosporidia pose very serious health threats with more cases of illness occurring in “city” water than in the wilderness. There is no known treatment except prevention for many of these problems.
2. Isn’t it necessary to add chemicals to destroy bacteria and viruses?
Normally, yes. chlorine, bromine, iodine, ozone and sometimes silver and other pesticides (economic poisons) are frequently used in efforts to destroy bacteria and viruses.
General Ecology is one manufacturer of purification systems that has a goal to remove chlorine and other economic poisons from the environment. It simply makes no sense to add even more of them during the so-called purification process. Their 'Structured Matrix' system does not rely on chemicals and is well known as the ecologically friendly, chemical free water purifier!
3. What bacteria should I be aware of in my drinking water, and what happens to them after they’re removed by a purifier?
Fortunately, there are only a few strains of bacteria you normally need to be concerned about relative to drinking water. These are salmonella, of which S. typhosa, or typhoid fever, bacteria is the best known, shigella, which causes diarrhea and cramping, the dreaded cholera of the Middle Ages and some foreign countries at the present time, and the well-known E. coli. Additionally, some bacteria, such as campylobacter jejeuni, which formerly were considered to be non-pathogenic to man, have been found to be human pathogens. Bacteria, like people, need food to exist and multiply. Bacteria also have relatively short life spans (measured in hours not days or years). Typically, this food comes from organic contamination in the water.
In the case of General Ecology purifiers, bacteria are removed on the outer surfaces of the cartridge matrix and the nutrients (food for the bacteria) are absorbed in the interior of the matrix. Thus, the cartridge effectively isolates bacteria form an essential food base. Bacteria, without food, are unable to reproduce, and die within a relatively short time. Also, in many situations, incoming water will contain contaminants such as chlorine, phenols, pesticides, etc…, which are hostile to, and help kill, bacteria concentrated on the outside of the matrix.
4. I’m concerned about asbestos and have been told that ordinary filters don’t remove this potential carcinogen.
You’ve been told correctly that ordinary filters don’t reliably remove asbestos. But the General Ecology 'Structured Matrix' products, rather than being mere filters, is a sophisticated microstraining device that readily removes asbestos fibers. Because of the depth type microstructure, the General Ecology technology has been tested on asbestos fibers as small as .04 microns in diameter and has shown complete removal within the detection capability of the testing equipment.
5. How much do filter & purifier operating costs compare to bottled water?
Surprisingly, they are quite inexpensive. Many ordinary aluminum and plastic-housing, charcoal filters, which must be used only on previously treated waters and are largely inefficient, cost almost twice as much for the unit and several times as much for replacement cartridges. Bottled water, which can be of questionable quality, can cost 75 cents to a dollar or more per gallon. The present cost of a good purifier unit, like the General Ecology products, is less than 40 cents per gallon (approx 10 cents per gallon in the case of Seagull IV residential systems including equipment, installation, operation and maintenance, averaged over its useable life).
Putting this in perspective, 1000 gallons of bottled water costs $750.00 - $1000.00 or more, while a 125 gallon General Ecology First Need cartridge costs less than $50.00. Plus you are getting the benefit of being able to produce clean water wherever & whenever you need it.
6. What about these small charcoal filter gadgets that attach to the end of the faucet or are installed in a plastic pitcher? They seem to be quite inexpensive.
Actually they’re quite expensive, since they cost good money and do essentially nothing to improve the quality of your water. These units typically contain just a few grams of loose granular charcoal and have demonstrated as little as 5 to 10 percent effectiveness (i.e. 90 to 95 percent of contamination comes through). Many of our customers are people who have become aware of the need for water quality improvement, have purchased one of the faucet-attaching or pitcher gadgets, and then sought an effective product that really works.
7. What can I do when I travel? I know resorts use rooftop catch basins and that many countries have very serious water-borne disease problems.
The answer to this question is to review the purifier products on the top of this page. Do not rely on a simple micro filter to protect you from the waterborne disease that exists in many foreign countries. It only takes one of the little critters to destroy your trip, and possibly your quality of life for months or even years after.
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