Sawyer SP122

Bob,

Thanks for the information….looks like a nice update to the filter without adding weight, which you have to love.

No idea of where else you can buy it.

At some point, you might see it at Walmart, built into the Sawyer nalgene type bottle with the filter inside?

-Tony

REI no longer lists the SP121.

I have been having trouble locating the SP122, except at REI. Just now, I got a number of hits, including a listing at MoonTrail for a good price.

— MV

The SP122 is a new product that is the same as the Sawyer Inline filter most are familiar with, but with quick connects fittings instead of barbed fittings. I used it to make a gravity filter system that I am quite happy with.

The simple version is that
* I already had a Big Zip and an older Hoser-like bladder
* I bought a CleanStream Hose Kit and an SP122
* Plug it all together, and you are in the gravity filtering business

Super-easy to make. Seems very nice and convenient.

Longer description, including weights, notes on variations parts compatibility, etc in my review.

— MV

Edit: fixed the hyperlink. It now uses the tinyurl link that Ben set up.

Bob, the link isn't working for me.

Bob,

Awesome review that you put together….think that you are now the reigning King of the Sawyer Gravity Filter System.

Do you think you could also insert some photos of your setup too?

I found that despite all of my descriptions of how to put it all together, photos also helps to illustrate how it all goes together.

Really impressed with the amount of research you did on all the sources for the parts.

Job well done!

By the way, in your review you listed that you used/bought a Filter Link? Where did you find one for sale? I thought that just as the Clean Stream came out, they stopped producing new Filter Links. I stocked up on a few, but as far as I know, they are not available anymore.

P.S. You might want to check your hyperlink…did not take me to your review.

-Tony

Bob, the link isn't working for me.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Whenever I tried to fix the href, the editor just deleted it on me, so I have given up and included it in plain text — you'll need to cut-and-paste it, but that works now.

— Bob

Thanks Bob, nice review!

Click HERE for Bob’s link.

HTML Man to the rescue. All better now.

Tony,

Thanks for the kind words. I think you remain the king, though :)

I just added the convenience of the quick connects. The hardest part was getting comfortable enough that I understood compatibility issues to go ahead and order. That's why I included the compatibility info for anyone else to use.

Do you think you could also insert some photos of your setup too?

I thought about that. Since I am not experienced with that, I decided to go ahead and put the verbiage up for now. My camera is an ancient 1MP thing … if I can figure out how to load its pictures onto my PC, I'll look into adding pictures. I do understand your point.

you listed that you used/bought a Filter Link

Verifying my answer before posting, I looked on line. Most places do not include one with the CleanStream Hose kit, but Moontrail (where I bought mine) does. I had not previously noted the discrepancy.

(FWIW: I also bought one of the after-market ones from Arrowhead, thinking I would need it, before I ordered from Moontrail. It looks fine; I have another idea I may use it for.)

You might want to check your hyperlink

Thanks. I just fixed it — when I tried to edit it, the editor kept deleting my href, so I just put it in plain text — sorry, but cut-and-paste will be required.

— Bob

Ben,

Thanks. So the problem I had was that my link was too long for the editor? I guess I'll have to look into tinyurl more.

— Bob

In light of Tony's question about the Platypus Filter Link source, I edited the review to make that more plain (including the fact that Moontrail is the only place I know to get the tubing kit that also includes the Platypus Filter Link in the kit).

While I was there, I added Arrowhead to the resources as a place to get the Platypus Filter Link by itself if you want one — such as if you got your hose kit somewhere else.

I also made the web citations into links, for you browsing convenience — sorry that got overlooked to begin with. If I missed any, let me know.

— MV

Bob,

I had well over a year to update, polish, correct, and then add photos to my review, so all things consider, I think that your report is the #$#$! as they say. :)

Once you posted up about the new version of the filter, I was pretty excited to see what is different.

How do you find the disconnect connections?

Are they pretty easy to disconnect, yet firm enough not to leak or accidentally get twisted off while in your pack as a hydration system?

Are you able to open up the filter like the old ones or have they sealed it so you can not crack the body in half?

-Tony

Tony,

As background for my other remarks, note that I have not had this filter system on the trail — just got the parts and put it together this week. Measured flow rate at home. I posted right away in an effort to get the info out. It is similar enough to your system that I have confidence there will be no major issues. I'll update if trail usage shows I need to.

How do you find the disconnect connections?

Are they pretty easy to disconnect, yet firm enough not to leak or accidentally get twisted off while in your pack as a hydration system?

Yes, easy to connect / disconnect. They connect well enough mechanically that I cannot see them coming apart accidentally.

I have used the Big Zip as a hydration bag before, and never had a problem with a leak. Since that fitting is unchanged, I see no reason to expect leakage.

When I timed filtering 3L, I saw no leaks anywhere in the system.

I anticipate carrying it with the filter disconnected, at least on the clean side. My clean bag will also be my hydration bag, unless I have a conflict with my hydration bag carrying a sports drink … I still need to think about that one. The issue is what to do if I arrive in camp with a significant amount of drink remaining in the bag.

As noted in the review, I am hoping that I can use my water scoop as a container for the system when on the trail, both to keep everything handy for intraday use, and to protect everything.

Are you able to open up the filter like the old ones or have they sealed it so you can not crack the body in half?

It looks as if the two halves screwed to together to assemble it. I tried a bit to unscrew it, but did not force it — I think they have sealed it. The warranty has a list of bulleted points about what is not covered. The relevant one here says:

Filter housing is not intended to be opened by consumer and may leak if opened; this is not covered under warranty.

— Bob

These Sawyer filters look interesting. Would pairing one up with a Katadyn carbon filter be ideal?

It appears that these use the same technology as the MSR Hyperflow and Platypus Cleanstream. Are there any differences?

Also, does anyone know a good way to check the integrity of a passive filter like this? My hyperflow can be tested while being backflushed.

I was not able to find any of the Sawyer 122 filters online. Moontrail sold out and REI does not have it either.

Note: this is a re-constructed post. I meant to "reply" to it, but I edited by mistake. I'll do my best to reconstruct the original posting. Sorry :(

These Sawyer filters look interesting. Would pairing one up with a Katadyn carbon filter be ideal?

I see no reason why that would not work.

It would add weight, bulk, and complication so the question is whether you need the carbon filtering. Also, the Katadyn would not have quick connects (unless you use short lengths of tubing to add them), which would violate one of the strengths of the system as it is — it is simple to take completely apart. That is a benefit for cleaning, drying, packing, ….

One other idea that has occurred to me is to use the Duda Diesel 1 micron filter bag, put some aquarium charcoal in it, and pour your water through that. Might be lighter, easier to dry, and/or cheaper. (I do not know whether or not it is a good idea to use aquarium charcoal with water for human consumption, but there was an earlier BPL forum post by someone doing just that.)

It appears that these use the same technology as the MSR Hyperflow and Platypus Cleanstream. Are there any differences?

AFAIK they are all the same basic technology. Note, though, that the HyperFlow and the CleanStream each claim the same pore size (0.2 microns) and the same rate of flow. The Sawyer had a reuced rate of flow and a smaller pore size (0.1 micron).

Also, does anyone know a good way to check the integrity of a passive filter like this? My hyperflow can be tested while being backflushed.

I am not familiar with how to test the HyperFlow, so I cannot really say. The SP122 can be back flushed — perhaps you can use the same test on it?

I was not able to find any of the Sawyer 122 filters online. Moontrail sold out and REI does not have it either.

Moontrail is out of stock, but why do you say REI does not have it. http://www.rei.com/product/801824 looks good, and I was able to add one to my cart.

— MV

It seems to me that it would be a lot more realistic if we would quote, or at least give, wet weights for filters. By that I mean the weight after use, with as much water removed as you can — the way it would be if it had to go into your pack at that point.

That weight is significantly more than the dry weight, at least for the tube-type filters (CleanStream, HyperFlow, Sawyer, …) — but it is the way they will usually be carried. You cannot realistically dry them any more than that while on a trip.

As an example, my Sawyer SP122 weighs 2.0 dry (catalog weight), but 3 3/8 oz wet, with as much water removed as I can. It is dry, a far as I can perceive, but the scales tell another story.

— MV

REI seems to have them in stock. The other night when I checked the site showed they were out of stock.

About 6oz for a 0.1 micron gravity filter with carbon element seems much better than my 9oz Hyperflow. The ability to use it at a faucet is a plus as well.