Water Bottle Purifier?

See AquaStar Plus! UV Water Treatment Device
http://www.uvaquastar.com/skins/2008Style/standard2.aspx?elid=201&plk=69

As long as you have access to clear water it should work great.

See reviews:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Water%20Treatment/Ultraviolet/AquaStar%20Plus%20Water%20Purifier/

Miox?

Thanks everyone… Reading and thinking more about this, if I take anything at all, it will be UV instead of filter/chemicals. Now, the pros and cons of a small UV device (Steripen Traveler?) — or one that's built into a drinking bottle (Aquastar?)?

Ben, in my view you cannot go past the Aquastar. Firstly, it works and more importantly it is robust. I have dropped mine a few times and it is still working. The light is also useful but probably an unneeded accessory.

Enjoy the trip

The Aquastar's great. I tested it for BGT and still use it. My sole caution is its battery appetite, which can be prodigious (although not so bad with warmish water).

I really liked the MµV, but it kept crapping out due to faulty internal batteries. I don't know whether they've resolved this or not. If they have, that's what I'd take on a long trip, as you can recharge it from pretty much any old battery.

Probably pair UVA with a carbon in-bottle filter for taste and chemical treatment to have comprehensive system in a small kit.

Ben,

This answer is late, but I can tell you that my parents and I have used the exact filter bottles that you had a photo of.

They work, but I find them difficult to suck the water through and they are heavy.

I am going to Singapore at the end of the month and a few days will be in Malaysia.

Bringing the bottle for Malaysia, just because I already have it, but I think a UV Pen would be a quick solution for issues of questionable clear tap water.

When do you go?

-Tony

In the UK can get water filters in the form if either a straw, water bottle or in-line from acompany called Surviva-pure, I have the in-line on my bladder but both the in-line and bottle are good for 1600 liters, so far I've only used it for a year with around 100 liters of use. No taste, no chemicals. Try youtube search "surviva -pure", it's approx £45 in the UK and it is sold via a company called Web-Tex and a few other military surplus on-line shops.

Ben -don't worry about it. Just take extra Immodium and Graval.

On a more serious note, I would look at the Steripen. My only caution would be if you damaged it and are unable to get it fixed.

Hi Ben,

I use one like you are thinking of taking- the Katedyn- exact model. Works fine.

The other solutions are all great, but I found the actual bottle has a less obvious social/ cultural impact than bringing out the chemicals and UV gizmo. What I mean is, if someone offers you water in a social situation, you can just fill your bottle from the tap/ well like them, and drink the same water.
This happened a lot in India, where I travelled/ worked and some of the locals were sensitive about wanting to share water on a cultural or manners level- and the foreigner refusing to drink from the same well.

Just a thought- have a great trip.

fred

By the way, if you do get Gardia- cure it just before when you come home, otherwise you will only get it again, and it will be more virulent if you keep treating it every time. It's not that bad- eat bananas, black tea and stay away from dairy for three days and you will be fine.

Great ideas and insights, guys!

Fred — that's my concern exactly. Say I'm sitting inside a train compartment or at some roadside eatery place, etc. I'd hate being the "oddball American tourist" stirring his cup of water with a UV wand every single time… OTOH, I can "casually" pour water into a drinking bottle and zip through a filter/purifier.

OTOH, the purifier bottle is bulky and the thought of iodine resin concerns me…

Ben,

Also, how common are the CR123 batteries where you are going? The steripen and uvaquastar both need them?

-Mark

Mark:

Thanks for the reminder… the batteries are small and light enough to carry a couple of extras…

Question for ye Aquastar users: is the lid standard wide-mouth configuration? I wonder if I can replace the bottle with something opaque so the UV death wand won't be so conspicuous when operating? Also, any more feedback on the tiny mUV thingy?

Ben- I have the same bottle and I take it day fishing so can just dip it in the stream and have water-
I does have a "taste", it could be that I don't use it much but I did notice a definite taste from the first time I used it, but its better then the runs!

Hi Ben,

The other thing I would consider, if you haven’t already done so, is taking Dukoral before you leave. My wife and I have used it before trips to SE Asia and the Caribbean and we did not have any occurences of TD. Have a great trip!

Cheers
Al

>Also, any more feedback on the tiny mUV thingy?

.5 platy and mUV combo is probably the lightest water purification setup. Best thing is mUV can be recharged by any type of battery so you dont need to carry extra battery.

Thanks again, everyone… more things to think about.