BeFree Filter help

Sorry for the bad grammar this no edit thing is a PITA!

I was looking at that 3L BeFree at REI yesterday – it was on their Labor Day sale, and my reservation was just that – how to attach a hose to it.  It would be useful filling a separate hydration bladder or just using it to drink from.  As you suggest, it can also be more convenient for filling any bottle with a hose attached.

I think the Sawyer Squeeze has a push-pull cap that is pretty standard.  Anyone know if it’s compatible.  I wouldn’t buy another filter for the cap, but you might get a replacement, or maybe it’s standard with grocery store water bottles?

Bob, The Sawyers push pull cap does not work, it was the first thing I tried. As far as the hose attachment the sawyer blue hose adapter does work very well. However I don’t want to complicate a very simple system with extra part like i did with the sawyer filters. I think the push pull cap would be the best solution for my needs.

How about a cap with short piece of hose and a hose clamp? 

Batchstovez sells a gravity bottle kit on this page that might work if you can find a cap that fits the BeFree threads well. You’d be running it in the opposite direction of how Batchstovez is showing it.

Matthew, thats exactly what I have on there now and it works ok, but I hate that clamp. Also the push-pull cap would just be simpler with less parts to break or loose. My goal here is to use one filter on two bottles. I do like the original flip cap on the drinking .6 bottle, just not the gravity (camp) 3 liter. A push pull cap on my small .6 bottle would be acceptable for drinking, then I could have the 3 liter bag, one filter and one cap.  Trying the KISS method on this system. I might be over thinking this whole thing, but last weekend on a three day trip it was all I could think about using the filter. 

How is the push/pull more convenient than the flip cap?

Ken, The 3 liter system (gravity filter) now sold by katadyn would be improved with a push pull used in the inverted position (hanging). Now if I’m hanging the bag in camp with the flip cap, I would have to raise the spout of the bag into the air to control the water to open and close the cap. This at least was the process on my last trip. With a push-pull to open just pull down to get water flowing and push it up to stop. I thinking it would be easier but obviously I will not know until i try it. With my sawyer it worked much better with the push pull set up in gravity mode.

How is the push/pull more convenient than the flip cap?

Convenience aside, the flip cap is undoubtedly destined to break before long.  Bending plastic is a poor hinge.  For that reason, I’m also looking for a push/pull.

Had to ask. I like how the mouthpiece stays clean with the flip cap. No grubby fingers. A cap that gave flow control though would be awesome.

Thanks. Got mine today. Changed the cap before I got it out of the package.

What cap did you change it to? Did you find something that fitted?

Just a random cap out of my baggie of caps and small containers. I think it is an ancient Platy cap. Not sure.

Did you test it to make sure it doesn’t leak? I haven’t found one yet that doesn’t leak around the threads.

Yep. You did take off that little ring the stock cap left behind so you can screw the new one on all the way, right?

Cole B. posted in another thread today the answer to my question. Thanks Cole

• Replace the snap top cap with a sport top cap

Platypus sport caps will screw directly onto the Befree filter and replace the flip top that comes with it.  They come in two packs online or at many outdoor stores for a few dollars.

I don’t know what a “sport top cap” is but these (both) Platys leak along the threads on the BeFree filter,  The SmartWater flip top does not leak.

I just bought two platy push pull caps from my local outfitter and they work perfectly. Mine where solid white I see yours are clear plastic with a white push pull, must be different.

This one does Not leak…don’t know where I got it from, but likely a water bottle.