Seeking thoughts on Katadyn’s BeFree

Hi Jerry. Using actual pathogen particles is the only acceptable approach. In principle filtration is purely a size selection but that’s not necessarily true in practice where there can be binding of species to internal membrane walls, competitive binding with other species and other complications. Manufacturers and the FDA don’t want to think about this but it’s true. So proxy particle retention is not acceptable since the surface chemistry and binding can be different.

Also, not all pathogen particles are infectious which is particularly true for viruses. So simply counting the fraction that are retained is not relevant, the test needs to be specific to the infectious particle fraction. This also accounts for the potential for pass through of damaged or inactivated pathogen. For example, if non infectious pathogen fragments pass through the filter, that is not hazardous.

That makes sense, thanks

All of this filter talk and no mention the hydrapak 42 mm filter cap?  I also  grabbed one of them to play with. I will be honest.. the  1 nit pick I already have with the Versa Flow I just got the other day,  it’s pretty big, comparable to a standard Sawyer filter and I kind of liked that the  BeFree  sits inside the bladder more, so when it’s empty it is more compact. Small nitpick yes.. so I also ordered the hydrapak filter because that is like the BeFree.. sitting inside the water bag more and less sticking out.  I will say, my original filter set up I have been using, the BeFree and the modified Sawyer Micro  is nice because the Micro is smaller and I can use that on my hydrapak water bladder or on my smartwater bottle if needed. So that will stay with me..  but if I can find one of these 2 new filters to replace the BeFree.. I will make the change. I am hoping the hydrapak wins for me because like I said.. I prefer the way it can stay in the bladder and not be as bulky as the VersaFlow.  

But I am thinking.. it’s kind of the same idea as the BeFree.. which means.. will it clog up like the BeFree???

@dirtbag interesting is has such high claims-6 log reduction while only filtering down to 0.2 microns. Looks like the Befree. I agree a filter that sits inside it’s dirty water vessel is much more appealing than sticking outward.

For practical use, I much prefer an outwardly facing filter. Allows for connection on both ends and overall filtration of a larger % of the water collected without janking up the connection point of the bladder. Just my opinion fwiw.

In the video Brad W posted, it was mentioned that the Sawyer could withstand quite a bit of pressure and that was the key to back flushing efficiency.  That makes a lot of sense and logically squares with reports of BeFree clogs not being rectified by “swishing”…a certain amount of backward pressure is necessary to force clogging material from the pores of the filter element.

a certain amount of backward pressure is necessary to force clogging material from the pores of the filter element.

Moreover, according to Sawyer, if you backflush with lower pressure, you only clear the easier to remove material, not all the blockage, and subsequent backflushing will take the path of least resistance leaving you with a filter that never restore to full flow.

I’m skeptical about the claims that Sawyer gets hollow fiber membranes that are somehow exclusively better. Why would the other companies buy an inferior product, unless Sawyer somehow has an exclusive contract for it. Wouldn’t the same level of quality and testing be available to any filter company?  Maybe they buy more so get a better price, but the claim rings a little off when others are probably buying from the same factory. It just sounds a little like marketing hype.

if you apply more pressure, the hollow tubes will expand more, including the pores, which would release more particles trapped in the pores

I don’t see why you couldn’t backflush the befree.  Doesn’t the output have threads you could screw onto, or couldn’t you take the Sawyer syringe and push it onto the befree output?

Sawyers claims the BeFree has weaker fibers and can’t be back flushed with their (Sawyers) attachment. Started with Gale Sayers.

License Agreement with Innova Pure Water Inc.

Sawyer

Sawyers claims the BeFree has weaker fibers and can’t be back flushed with their (Sawyers) attachment. Started with Gale Sayers.

License Agreement with Innova Pure Water Inc.

Sawyer

Just returned from a 10 day trip in the Winds filtering about 4 liters a day and have been using BeFree filters since they came out with great success.

This particular filter had already filtered some 70 liters and had been back flushed, soaked in vinegar, and sterilized with a bleach solution prior to taking on this trip.  Before leaving, I soaked the filter overnight and tested it with good flow.  By day two it began to slow down and by day six it was just a trickle.  We finished the trip with it but it took nearly 15 minutes to get a half liter and it was my first “failure” in the field with a BeFree.

I am going to see if I can get it flowing again but may go back to my Steripen Adventure for another trip next week.  I really like the BeFree and will likely continue to use them as they have worked well after the first one I purchased when they first came out.  The high flow rate is addictive.

Yes I agree. I purchased about 5 of them over the years.. not really on the bandwagon to buy another one. Seems kind of wasteful at this point.  Hopefully one of these 2 will work out better.. otherwise,  back to steripen and tabs for when that fails..

Great conversation, learning much. I’ve already stated how much I love my Versaflow.

@dirtbag interesting you say you like the “internal” aspects of the Befree. While it’s certainly shorter than the VF or Sawyer units, it would seem it doesn’t make that big of a difference? Seeing as the filter is inside of a bag it still needs the space. It also always made me nervous that the filter would abrade the bag and potentially cause leaks. I suspect that was part of a pinhole leak my buddy had on the Grand in June with me. By the end my Versaflow was feeding water to three out of five thirsty hikers.

Slightest aside, please forgive the thread drift, but I’ve always thought it would be swell to have a “back flushable” sediment filter. Does anynody know the MAXIMUM pore size of a hollow membrane filter or any other filter tech that might exist? Would be great for muddy or silty water.

“Steripen and tabs for when that fails…”.

Yep. I’m one of the lucky ones who’ve never had a steripen failure. I carry the battery model and not the rechargeable. It seems a lot of the failures I’ve read about here involve the rechargeable models. I could be wrong.

The Sawyer filter elements are probably made to a higher spec than the other brands as the 0.1 micron absolute would require. Are there filtering strands not passing the 0.1 micron test being used by other filter manufacturers? Sounds likely. Also the wall thickness of the tubes, as well as the resin(epoxy?) holding said tubes in place allows for tremendous pressure during back-flushing. The tubes may be weaker with the Befree hence no backflushing allowed.

I used the Steripen Adventurer Opti with CR123 batteries

It failed several times, but I think it was I left the batteries in the unit and they slowly drained, and I used cheap CR123 batteries and rechargeable CR123 batteries.  I just returned it.

I think it would have been fine if I used name brand batteries.  Take them out between trips.  Always take a spare set of batteries.

I’d rather use the one with an internal rechargeable battery and charge it before each trip.  If that worked.

VVersa Flow, Sawyer Mico, Hydrapak ..

here side by side including a BeFree

• Keep in mind the Sawyer and Versa Flow both have the Befree attachment thingy on them so I can use on the bladder.. or Un my smartwater bottle if needed… just unscrew it.

I’m curious – who in this conversation filters 100% of the water they consume in the backcountry?

Not I.

If it’s like a spring flowing out of the mountain.. at higher elevation.. I will drink it commando style.  49 years..

On one trip a while back my filter bonked with such minimal flow.. I drank water straight up for a few days.. I was ok. However,  I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone,  not even myself!

Drop of soap in your back flush followed with a good rinse.