Anyone ever used the "steripen" from REI that purifies water?
Jun 1st, 2007, 08:20 AM
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Anyone ever used the "steripen" from REI that purifies water?
I am interested in purchasing the Steripen from REI in the states that supposedly sterilizes and purifies water from UV-C rays.Has anyone every used it? Thanks!
Jun 1st, 2007, 09:20 AM
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I have one, my brother has one, works marvelously. The advantage over all filtration systems is that it will kill viruses. It is discreet enough to treat table water at a restaurant.
Hands down the most important item we take with us while traveling.
Hands down the most important item we take with us while traveling.
Jun 1st, 2007, 11:11 AM
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Obviously Shaktipalooza is a fan, as she's posted about it several times. It does kill bacteria, it's efficacy with viruses and parasites appears to be less than with bacteria. And, of course, it does not take care of chemical contamination.
Jun 1st, 2007, 08:48 PM
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"It does kill bacteria, it's efficacy with viruses and parasites appears to be less than with bacteria. And, of course, it does not take care of chemical contamination."
All the reports I've read show it to be effective against viruses and parasites.
Chemical contamination? I don't think this should be a concern unless one is treating their water long term. If so I'd say a charcoal filter is in order.
Bottled water is fine, but not terribly good for the environment.
All the reports I've read show it to be effective against viruses and parasites.
Chemical contamination? I don't think this should be a concern unless one is treating their water long term. If so I'd say a charcoal filter is in order.
Bottled water is fine, but not terribly good for the environment.
Jun 1st, 2007, 10:20 PM
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"Bottled water is fine, but not terribly good for the environment"
neither is travel by jet.....or using a car.....or using anything that uses oil.....better to live in a plastic bubble.....no, plastic is no good...hmmmmm
neither is travel by jet.....or using a car.....or using anything that uses oil.....better to live in a plastic bubble.....no, plastic is no good...hmmmmm
Jun 2nd, 2007, 04:57 AM
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So would you feel comfortable using it in India if you couldn't find bottle water? AND which one did you get? It appears to have two versions-the regular one and one that is called Hydro Photon. Thanks!
Jun 2nd, 2007, 06:26 AM
#10
>>>ohhh noooooooooooooooo....looks like that steripen has plastic in it too.....that can't be good for the environment either.....now what to do?
I don't generally get involved in debates on Fodor's, but such sarcasm regarding an issue widely acknowledged to be a significant (and growing) environmental problem worldwide prompts me to respond. Shaktipalooza's comment that bottled water is not good for the environment is true - and did not deserve the sarcastic attack. It is up to each of us to make our own choices regarding the steps we take to protect the environment (or not) - and how far we go to do so. Making fun of those who have a different viewpoint from yours as to what is reasonable and responsible is small-minded.
I don't generally get involved in debates on Fodor's, but such sarcasm regarding an issue widely acknowledged to be a significant (and growing) environmental problem worldwide prompts me to respond. Shaktipalooza's comment that bottled water is not good for the environment is true - and did not deserve the sarcastic attack. It is up to each of us to make our own choices regarding the steps we take to protect the environment (or not) - and how far we go to do so. Making fun of those who have a different viewpoint from yours as to what is reasonable and responsible is small-minded.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 08:31 AM
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Here is my concern about the steripen. It was invented for use by backpackers hiking in the wilderness, In this setting, the main contaminents are likely to be bacterial and some parasites. Carrying bottled water for a several day trip is obviously not practical. Boiling water (especially at high altitudes) has its own problems, Filters also have limitations. So for someone going backpacking in the wilderness, I think the steripen is a great idea.
For travel to third world countries, I think it's not as good an option. Why? Well, the experiments done with the steripen indicated (as I mentioned earlier) that it isn't as good at eradicating viruses and parasites as it is at killing off bacteria. And of course, it does nothing for chemical contamination (pesticides and heavy metals are the concern). So while it is better than nothing, it does not guarantee you safe water to drink. In general, you are safer with bottled water. However, if you are visiting areas where bottled ater may be hard to come by or may itself be dubious, the steripen would be a good back-up. Note that you'd have to be going someplace pretty remote to not have good access to bottled water. Someone earlier mentioned using it on tap water when they ran out of purified water supplied by their hotel for brushing their teeth. While I would call the front desk for more purified water, the steripen is a reasonable back-up for bottled or purified water while traveling.
For travel to third world countries, I think it's not as good an option. Why? Well, the experiments done with the steripen indicated (as I mentioned earlier) that it isn't as good at eradicating viruses and parasites as it is at killing off bacteria. And of course, it does nothing for chemical contamination (pesticides and heavy metals are the concern). So while it is better than nothing, it does not guarantee you safe water to drink. In general, you are safer with bottled water. However, if you are visiting areas where bottled ater may be hard to come by or may itself be dubious, the steripen would be a good back-up. Note that you'd have to be going someplace pretty remote to not have good access to bottled water. Someone earlier mentioned using it on tap water when they ran out of purified water supplied by their hotel for brushing their teeth. While I would call the front desk for more purified water, the steripen is a reasonable back-up for bottled or purified water while traveling.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 08:39 AM
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althom,
I am sorry if my comment rubbed you in the wrong way. It was not my intention to be sarcastic(well maybe a little) or small minded(I guess I'm not the only one hurling insults on this forum).
My intention was to lighten up a thread that has been repeated constantly on this forum with the same poster who probably sells steripens for a living(don't panic this is another attempt at a joke).
I obviously failed and for that I am truly sorry or if I offended your feelings.
Actually I feel bottled water is fantastic and plastic is even better. The main culprit is not the plastic bottle but not recycling it.
Your idea of not protecting the environment is not an option to me .If you put more energy into a recycling awareness campaign and stop trying to kill a product, then I could see supporting such an idea.
Just my own irresponsible and small minded thoughts thoughts as you say but thoughts none the less. If you didn't have plastic in your life your life it would be truly be an adventure and we would never have talked about all of this or the steripen.
Aloha!
I am sorry if my comment rubbed you in the wrong way. It was not my intention to be sarcastic(well maybe a little) or small minded(I guess I'm not the only one hurling insults on this forum).
My intention was to lighten up a thread that has been repeated constantly on this forum with the same poster who probably sells steripens for a living(don't panic this is another attempt at a joke).
I obviously failed and for that I am truly sorry or if I offended your feelings.
Actually I feel bottled water is fantastic and plastic is even better. The main culprit is not the plastic bottle but not recycling it.
Your idea of not protecting the environment is not an option to me .If you put more energy into a recycling awareness campaign and stop trying to kill a product, then I could see supporting such an idea.
Just my own irresponsible and small minded thoughts thoughts as you say but thoughts none the less. If you didn't have plastic in your life your life it would be truly be an adventure and we would never have talked about all of this or the steripen.
Aloha!
Jun 2nd, 2007, 12:32 PM
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Nope, not a steripen reseller.
"The main culprit is not the plastic bottle but not recycling it."
I push the Steripen quite a bit. Mainly because when I travel in India it's only too obvious plastics are NOT RECYCLED. It takes forever to break down and is a major eyesore. Many countries have the same issues. You're welcome to use and recycle in your home country but in places where your waste isn't properly handled, don't you think it's considerate lessening your impact?
"So would you feel comfortable using it in India if you couldn't find bottle water?" Yes, I always take it to India and use it as much as possible. I have the older slightly more bulky model that is white with a blue cap.
"Here is my concern about the steripen. It was invented for use by backpackers hiking in the wilderness."
That's only half true. The steripen is an adapted use of UV treatment; a well proven technology utilized by municipalities and households around the world. My wife's relatives in India use UV treatment in their homes. The tap runs through a filter, then a UV chamber. They don't get sick.
If you want to say to yourself it's because they're used to the water I'd say that's highly doubtful. A couple of years ago we rented a home in the same neighborhood as her family. A relative used the tap water (without UV treatment) and was ill for a couple of days.
There is plenty of documentation out there supporting the effectiveness of the Steripen against viruses, bacteria, parasites.
To be honest, there have been plenty of scandals in India where soda and bottled water didn't meet international health standards.
"The main culprit is not the plastic bottle but not recycling it."
I push the Steripen quite a bit. Mainly because when I travel in India it's only too obvious plastics are NOT RECYCLED. It takes forever to break down and is a major eyesore. Many countries have the same issues. You're welcome to use and recycle in your home country but in places where your waste isn't properly handled, don't you think it's considerate lessening your impact?
"So would you feel comfortable using it in India if you couldn't find bottle water?" Yes, I always take it to India and use it as much as possible. I have the older slightly more bulky model that is white with a blue cap.
"Here is my concern about the steripen. It was invented for use by backpackers hiking in the wilderness."
That's only half true. The steripen is an adapted use of UV treatment; a well proven technology utilized by municipalities and households around the world. My wife's relatives in India use UV treatment in their homes. The tap runs through a filter, then a UV chamber. They don't get sick.
If you want to say to yourself it's because they're used to the water I'd say that's highly doubtful. A couple of years ago we rented a home in the same neighborhood as her family. A relative used the tap water (without UV treatment) and was ill for a couple of days.
There is plenty of documentation out there supporting the effectiveness of the Steripen against viruses, bacteria, parasites.
To be honest, there have been plenty of scandals in India where soda and bottled water didn't meet international health standards.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 01:39 PM
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ok, the steripen works.....don't think anyone ever disupted that. Just a difference of opinions I guess.
I do trust Kathie's opinion as I know she knows of what she speaks.
"You're welcome to use and recycle in your home country but in places where your waste isn't properly handled, don't you think it's considerate lessening your impact"
Why thank you for your permission. That statement really sounds noble and is politically correct to say but really doesn't add up to anything. Just sounds nice.
If you seriously wanted to lessen your impact on trash in India you wouldn't travel to India. Not that lessening the impact of travelers to India would do anything. India is a land of over a billion people. I'm sure you already know that because you've been there.
If you are serious about helping then do something that will impact and really help and please don't give us lectures about the plastic bottles that tourists leave in India.
Do something positive, start the largest recycling campaign in India.
I do trust Kathie's opinion as I know she knows of what she speaks.
"You're welcome to use and recycle in your home country but in places where your waste isn't properly handled, don't you think it's considerate lessening your impact"
Why thank you for your permission. That statement really sounds noble and is politically correct to say but really doesn't add up to anything. Just sounds nice.
If you seriously wanted to lessen your impact on trash in India you wouldn't travel to India. Not that lessening the impact of travelers to India would do anything. India is a land of over a billion people. I'm sure you already know that because you've been there.
If you are serious about helping then do something that will impact and really help and please don't give us lectures about the plastic bottles that tourists leave in India.
Do something positive, start the largest recycling campaign in India.
Jun 2nd, 2007, 02:28 PM
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Shakti, I stand by my statement that "Here is my concern about the steripen. It was invented for use by backpackers hiking in the wilderness." It is an adaptation of the UV technology for portable use by backpackers in the wilderness. I don't imagine you are trying to tell me that your wife's relatives use a steripen hooked up to their water supply! A more powerful UV source should produced increased efficacy.
Yes, UV treatment is one of many treatments used around the world. Typically, places that use UV treatment of the water use other purification methods as well. No doubt it is much better to use UV treatment than none at all.
You may remember a thread here from a few months ago about bottled water in Cambodia that caused travelers (and locals) to get sick. The water was UV treated.
Whie you or anyone else are welcome to use a steripen for all of your water purification needs, I feel it is important to give people the cautions about the limitations of the steripen.
Yes, UV treatment is one of many treatments used around the world. Typically, places that use UV treatment of the water use other purification methods as well. No doubt it is much better to use UV treatment than none at all.
You may remember a thread here from a few months ago about bottled water in Cambodia that caused travelers (and locals) to get sick. The water was UV treated.
Whie you or anyone else are welcome to use a steripen for all of your water purification needs, I feel it is important to give people the cautions about the limitations of the steripen.
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