Minibulldesigns Sawyer Mini Adapter

google "sawyer platypus evernew site:backpackinglight.com"

short answer – many people have had platypus leak – the thread pitch is different, but the plastic deforms so some bags work okay, but better to use Evernew with the correct pitch. Or, I use a re-used soda bottle – you can apply more pressure, easier

I imagine one could use the straw that comes with the filter in conjunction with the syringe, just as minibull has done with the clean-end water bag adapter. I'll have to look into this when I get home. The syringe does always shoot some water out the sides when flushing…

Platys have steeper "non-standard" threads…so they tend to leak unless very carefully handled/screwed on. Evernew bags have a standard water bottle thread pitch. My Evernew bags have seen a lot of use and are still solid after probably more than 500 miles of use. It should be said that I do drink out of my dirty bag with an inline setup most of the time. I only filter into my 1L water bottle as a reserve/fast water for meals/potty/clean-up.

FYI, I have found the syringe to be necesarry if you truely want to clean the filter when it's getting clogged up. The Smartwater bottle with sport-top method will only work slightly, with an Incredible Hulk death squeeze and a lot of water.

HTH

KJ

you're obviously a newb : )

there have been many arguments going on for days, degrading to people calling each other names – only on BPL

I bought a similar sized syringe with a tapered tip and use a short piece of the straw hose to connect it. Sawyer cautions about using a backflush option with sufficient flow so that channels aren't created in the filter media. Without a good flush, it will just clear the center tubes and the outer ones will become permanently blocked.

Dale

I'm guessing this is what happened to me with my filter on the JMT. My trip last week on the CT/CDT proved to me that it has no hope left….even after flushing it with the syringe at home repeatedly with RO water.

Off to Amazon I go…

KJ

try warm water, vinegar, let it sit a while,…

So Dale, are you saying that the minibull adapter with a bag or bottle may not provide enough pressure?

I reached the same conclusion about the syringe — too big/heavy and the water stream can't be fully directed through the filter. My "clean" bottle is a 0.7L spring water bottle with squirt nozzle, like you can buy in any convenience store. For field backflushing the filter I simply took a different cap that fits the bottle, drilled a hole through it and glued an inch or two of a standard drinking tube (Camelbak etc) in the hole. Now, if I want to backflush, I can fit the little tube segment onto the clean nipple of the filter, screw the cap onto the clean water bottle, and squeeze — all the water is directed through the filter. Essentially the same idea as the MBD adapter. Works much better than the syringe, weighs 0.1 oz, and costs nothing.

The Minibull looks like the same principle as the Smartwater or Propel Bottle Cap for backflushing.

I have a Mini and its size and weight are unbeatable, but if you have to carry a large syringe to backflush, it negates much of the benefit over the Squeeze, especially with the flow rate being noticeably slower. I have a Squeeze as well, and I haven't had any real problems backflushing it. For 1 1/2 years or so, I've only used the Smart Water bottle cap to backflush, but I periodically backflush vinegar through it, let it soak, and follow with several flushes of very warm tap water. It still seems to flow nearly as good as new. I would accept the slower flow rate of the Mini if I can maintain it without carrying a syringe.

I'm curious as to why Sawyer cautions about "using a backflush option with sufficient flow so that channels aren't created in the filter media" when the syringe they supply makes it nearly impossible to achieve an adequate seal on the filter and is therefore unable to get that flow inside where it needs to go. I am able to get a much higher volume into the filter with the Smartwater cap and a plastic bottle, but is it adequate?

I am going to try to continue with the Mini, no syringe, and see if I can maintain a near new flow rate by not allowing it to dry out, regular backflushing (with Smartwater cap), and periodic vinegar/warm water flushes.

They cost $20/each, not $200, I dont see the reason for all the fretting over this. Flush however until you think its not acceptable and then buy a new one, or switch to something else.

"Also, I hear the Platy bags leak with the sawyer Mini and that the Evernew bags provide a much better seal. Any insights on that?"

I can confirm the leakage problem with the Platy bags. I saw it in action on my last trip, when my partner experienced leakage with both of his Platy bags. It's not a complete show stopper, but it does waste a lot of water. I suspect the problem is a slight thread mismatch plus the fact that Platy bags have only a couple turns of the thread spiral.

I agree the Sawyer Minis are expendable at $19.97 (Walmart), but the Sawyer 3 ways I've had needed to be flushed religiously or they wouldn't last anytime at all.

I don't want to "flush however" if the best way can keep me from buying a new filter every 2 weeks. You might be able to buy 10 new filters a year , but I'm poor and I have to be frugal.

Besides, being wasteful doesn't fall in line with the whole minimalist philosophy.

Tom K, thanks. I see Campsaver has the 900 ml Evernew for about $10. I assume that's the ideal size?

Tom D, I'm going to pick up a Smart Water bottle tomorrow. They're cheap so I might as well try it out.

JR, what kind of glue did you use to bond the cap and hose?

"I don't want to "flush however" if the best way can keep me from buying a new filter every 2 weeks. You might be able to buy 10 new filters a year , but I'm poor and I have to be frugal."

I suspect it is at least in part due to the fact that the water down your way often contains a lot more sediment. It might be worth while to try pre filtering thru a paper coffee filter before running it thru your Sawyer. As an alternative, have you considered popping for a Steripen? it doesn't buying take many Sawyers for a Steripen to make economic sense, never mind the peace of mind factor.

Even up in the Sierra, with its crystal clear water, the Sawyer Mini clogs up very quickly, due to micro mineral particles that are not visible to the human eye. Personally, I think they're a waste of time from a practical point of view. If they come up with an efficient flushing system, I'd be open to changing my mind, but for the present, I'll stick with my Steripen Opti.

So how about the Sawyer Squeeze instead? Better than the Mini for flow and for not clogging as easily?

I want to stick to a filter because of the cattle dung that's often around the ponds and water tanks I have to deal with. Do you think the Steripens can really block Giardia?

" Do you think the Steripens can really block Giardia?"

It's not a matter of thinking or believing, Monty. It has been proven in extensive testing. The Steripen works not by killing organisms, but by scrambling their DNA and thereby their ability to reproduce. The limitation is that the water has to be clear of bits and pieces that can block the UV light from doing its job. It is the same limitation that applies to the Sawyer filters, only the resulting problem is different. In the case of the Steripen, the result is that the Steripen doesn't do its job; in the case of the Sawyer Mini, it becomes increasingly difficult to force water thru the filter. Either way, you've got a problem. With my Steripen, I just filter my water thru a bandana and then treat it. So far, so good. I'm not sure if that would work as well with the Sawyer Mini. It might be a good question to ask in the Forum.

Squeeze is supposed to not clog as easily, has more flow. Some people swear they won't use a Mini, but use a Squeeze instead.

I bought a 3 liter Platypus Hoser because they didn't have a Platypus Water Tank. It comes with a piece that screws on and has a hose connection. That would work to backflush a Sawyer. If they sell that separately or if you buy the entire bag+hose.

Only problem is, the pitch on the cap is the Platypus pitch. It might work on a soda bottle pitch. Or maybe the Platypus bag would produce enough pressure to backflush. Or you could drill out a standard pitch cap – it doesn't have to seal against water, just hold the hoser fitting onto the bottle.

"They cost $20/each, not $200, I dont see the reason for all the fretting over this. Flush however until you think its not acceptable and then buy a new one, or switch to something else."

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Theres some logic to this, but even though I always carry a few chemical tablets as back up, I don't want my filter slowing to a trickle during a hike. If I can maintain the Mini so its reliable, I'd prefer to do that. I also have better stuff to spend the $20 on if I am able.

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"So how about the Sawyer Squeeze instead? Better than the Mini for flow and for not clogging as easily? "

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I do have a Squeeze its been reliable for years now. I also have an 3 Way Inline, also reliable, although I did let it dry out once and took a while to get it going again. Like most people, I like the size and weight of the Mini and still in my testing phase with it, but there's a good chance I will end up back with the Squeeze.

why is it I'm always arguing with Tom?

I don't think bits and pieces are what cause Sawyer filters to clog, it's minerals dissolved in the water. And letting it dry out. I've used mine for years without problem. I always backflush before and after trip. 5 day trips and I don't bring backflusher. I don't go more than about one month between trips so it never dries out.

I had problems with Steripen. Quit working so I drank untreated water. I think I finally figured it out though. Use name brand batteries. Don't use rechargeables. Take batteries out between trips. Always take a spare set of batteries that are new. But, I returned it instead and got a Squeeze.

I think either Steripen or Sawyer are good, but there are some tricks you have to learn. They weigh about the same.

Oh, you can't freeze Sawyer filters. If you do, they may or may not work, difficult to know. This may lead you to Steripen.

"Do you think the Steripens can really block Giardia?"

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I was sold on SteriPens after a friend took one to Haiti when he went down there for relief work immediately after the earthquake. 2 weeks of drinking VERY suspect water with no problems.

I prefer the SteriPen in the Sierras. The water there is some of the most refreshing in the world IMO, and the SteriPen is the only one that doesn't affect the taste. There are always some concerns with it being an electronic device, but I drank the water there untreated for many years (some still do, but I always treat water now), and I always carry chemical back up.

"why is it I'm always arguing with Tom?"

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Yeah, knock it off…… :)

Actually Jerry, you are one that I find myself agreeing with on most things. I find you to be one of the more experienced and knowledgable folks here. If I sound like I'm arguing, its unintentional and I'm more than likely wrong anyway.

That being said, I have had a different experience with SteriPens than you, I've never had an issue. But I did those things that you just listed regarding batteries, etc. Its the appeal of maintaining the taste of the Sierra water that keeps me using it.

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"I don't think bits and pieces are what cause Sawyer filters to clog, it's minerals dissolved in the water. And letting it dry out. I've used mine for years without problem. I always backflush before and after trip. 5 day trips and I don't bring backflusher. I don't go more than about one month between trips so it never dries out."

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I agree completely. The only time I've had one clog was the Inline that I let dry out. I haven't been using the Mini long enough to experience the issues that some say they are having.

I've got a few days planned in the Western Sierra next week. Solo in the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. I haven't been there before, but expect to take lake and sometimes stream water as I can find it. I've got a Sawyer Mini with a DIY gravity system (about 6 oz) or a Steripen Ultra (about 5 oz.)

I've been going back and fourth on taking my bladder versus just water bottles. I like the hydration tube when hiking.

What would your take, and why? I posted this question on HF earlier this week, and consensus was clearly for the mini. This might be a little off topic for the OP, but I sense there may be more Steripen fans here.

just kidding Tom, as you know

Steripen has a problem with silty water, like glacier run-off. The silt blocks the UV. You can double the treatment time as they recommend which might make it effective. Maybe glacier run-off usually doesn't have harmful stuff in it very often.

I think the silt would go right through the Sawyer without clogging it? I'll have to try that sometime. Any jury rigged filter would do nothing. If you let the water sit for a while, the silt will settle. Just don't accidentally stir it back up. I like a clear dirty water container so I can see any stuff that's settled and try to not let it back into the filter.

For $13 + shipping Cascade sells the drink tube kit which includes the screw on piece that you want, plus a long tube and bite valve that's not needed.

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/platy-accessories/drink-tube-kit/product

Maybe they'de sell or give you just the screw on piece.

Then, you have the problem that the thread pitch is only the same as Platypus, not Sawyer, regular soda bottle, or Evernew.

Or, for $23 you can buy the hoser that includes everything. My 3 liter weighs 2 ounces.