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Bought the filter set for $20. Dang thing looks like a BeFree at 1/2 the price. It’s not like this is cutting edge technology. Lifespan is twice as BeFree; Pore size down to .01 micron (BeFree is 0.1). Someone did comment that these cannot be used with BeFree bottles. I can confirm that.
Anybody using?
The one I find via Google looks nothing like a BeFree. It looks like a LifeStraw copy.
Yet another weird-sized filter with a tpu bladder that will fail soon.
They also make a mini like the sawyer mini except around 10 bucks cheaper. And here is a cheapy mini knock off, Easiestsuck filter…lol.
Buyer Beware. Just skimmed the Amazon page. I could find NO claim that the product filters harmful bacteria, protozoa or viruses, just tiny organisms and impurities.
Sorry. Guess this helps: Can’t post the link from the Big A.
I would think that a .01 micron filter will get all bacteria and a lot of viruses.
https://www.freshwatersystems.com/blogs/blog/how-many-microns-should-your-water-filter-be
Thanks for the updates, Paul. Not sure why I wasn’t finding it initially.
MSR had an blog article about filter testing/certification I wonder if this product has undergone any of the NSF P231 or the EPA protocol testing/certification.
Is “NatureNova” an an Amazon-only entity? I can’t find any official presence on the web for NatureNova water filters other than Amazon.
Didn’t realize BPL no longer allowed Amazon links..shame.
I think its more along the lines of Amazon no longer wants to support affiliate links.
It’s not like this is cutting edge technology.
I thinks its cutting edge. What are the starting materials, how do you make it, and how do you test you made it right? As far as I know filters with these porosities+flow rates+size didn’t exist 25 years ago. Seems to me to require pretty advanced engineering and chemistry to pull off correctly. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow_fiber_membrane
Since this product is meant to protect your health, I would only trust companies with public mailing addresses making real claims you could sue over.
I’ve also bought stuff on Amazon before that didn’t match the specs on the web page.
HYOH
The problem is that since this technology is years old, they only way they appear to be making money is by selling the filter and bottle together (same with Katadyn).
FWIW, Outdoor Products at Walmart has a 600 ml water bottle that is compatible with the BeFree. I have two of them. I think it’s a steal for $6 bucks.
Please ignore the link. I do not want to appear that I am selling something.
Totally agree with getting a filter from a reputable brand. I was initially looking for just a water bottle that was cheaper.
Outdoor Products at Walmart has a 600 ml water bottle
Seems odd that product does not appear on the Outdoor Products website. In fact, I can only find it for sale (on a US website) at Walmart.
Totally agree with getting a filter from a reputable brand
My health is not worth risking to save $10-$20!
Does that Walmart bottle leave a taste to the water?
If it’s in there for a while I would imagine.
Things not to chince out on-tires, brakes and water filters.
@ Paul D
“I would think that a .01 micron filter will get all bacteria and a lot of viruses.”
Since they are making no claim about filtration of harmful micro-organisms, the only logical conclusion I can make is 1) they are not testing the product against any standard and 2) they are not specifying their subcomponents to perform to any standard. Both factors enable them to cut cost and to reduce liability.
For bacteria, the EPA standard is to reduce up to four 9s, that is filter out 99.9999% of bacteria.
In reference to 0.1 microns, I think the MSR website sums it up:
“Micron ratings aren’t always the best way to gauge effectiveness. Test procedures for micron ratings vary so greatly that comparing them is misleading. In addition, micron ratings for filters do not tell you how the product will perform with actual bugs. There is an EPA Guide Standard for Testing Microbiological Purifiers, which describes how to test products to determine if they are removing or inactivating the proper number of pathogens in different types of water throughout the life of the device. When looking for a microfilter or purifier ask if the product has been tested according to the EPA Guide Standard and passed. For a microfilter, meeting the EPA Guide Standard means removing 99.9% of protozoa and removing 99.9999% of bacteria in all required water types. To be classified as a purifier, the device must meet the EPA Guide Standard for the removal of protozoa and bacteria as well as virus which must be inactivated to 99.99% in all required water types. All of the MSR filters and purifiers have passed the levels of inactivation required by the EPA Guide Standard with flying colors.”
Of course 90% of the time in the places where the typical BPLer backpacks, the water most likely does not need to be treated. Each person has their own risk profile. I almost always treat my water because I have seen the consequences of bad water.
Yea, I posited that question on Amazon as there are no standards disclosed. Also stated that “made in same place as BeFree” and “same material, therefore …” are not standards.
Doubt I’ll get anything from that.
On amazon reviewer pics, it does state organisms, but it also shows alot of typos. It states in different places either 0.1 micron (regular filter, correct value like sawyers) and 0.01 micron (?purifier type filter)..yipes.
I saw that. I just don’t know the veracity of their claim. This site does a decent job of explaining the technology.
https://waterfiltercast.com/micron-filter-size/
0.1 microns will filter all bacteria and a lot of viruses, just not all of them below the pore size.
When I stated that the technology is old, that doesn’t mean they can’t come up with new ways to employ it. Companies will not sink a bunch of money into a technology if there is nothing to be made nor utility patents to enforce them (they will have long since expired. The fact that everybody sells these on Amazon is a testament to that.) So they sell the filter-bottle combo at an outrageous price and have it so you have to buy one of their other $25 bottles (stash …etc.) or a whole new filter set.
It has me wondering what any new technology translates to us. The ultralight equipment we use has become the standard in the industry. In short, it sells itself.
I heading back on the A.T. MLK weekend for a week. I’m bringing both with an AAR sure to come. If my ass explodes, I’ll let you know, pictures for the super curious.
In addition to lack of laboratory testing, the claim for 6-log reduction of bacteria and protozoa is one-tenth (or less) of Sawyer’s tested 7-log reduction (99.99999%).
Part of the reason for Sawyer’s popularity is that it does the job better than others.
Backcountry Water Treatment, Part 3: Microfiltration (GearSkeptic)
Welp, that was quick. Filter wouldn’t even pass an integrity test at home. Straight to the trash.
I’m keeping the bottle.
Yikes. What did you do for an integrity test?
I tested it the same way as Platypus. Air bubbles were present in one particular area when I squeezed it
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