Steri Pen Ultra

[dirtbag]

Its a different style and size but they all do the same.  I think they all would work with Gatorade bottle? Anyone? I can tell you the Ultra works perfectly with 1 liter Smart water bottles. I also carry a small piece of cheese cloth to use as a strainer if the water is “chunky”.

[dirtbag]

I like it so much I am contemplating buying another one for an upcoming family backpacking trip. I was planning on using my Ultra and also bringing a Be Free or Sawyer since there would be 4 of us.. Figuring we could save time rather then sitting around waiting and waiting … It could be 4 to 8 liters a shot. Still undecided…

[Mike M]

@dirtbag- mine is the Ultralight, not the Ultra- different models

@Brad- I believe the Red Cross is the Ultralight

maybe I got a bum one, but reading the few reviews on REI, appears I’m not the only one

I’m going to give my new one (when I receive it) a thorough workout before going afield with it

[dirtbag]

here is the Ultra in action with smartwater bottle. Its so hot out today that water flowing in picture.. I wanna jump in it!

[dirtbag]

I did it. Pulled the plug and picked up another Ultra Steripen.  I pulled out my Sawyer original and mini, along with my Be Free.. Not liking them. Those Sawyers are way too slow and too much squeezing for my liking. The Be Free is acceptable flow rate, but after using the Steripen on all my trips for last year or so.. it definitely is a no brainer.  I will carry 1 and my son will carry 1 for our upcoming trip.. it will save time between 4 of us to do up to 8 liters a shot.

I will continue to use the Be Free for our whitewater kayaking trips, since the soft collapsible 1 liter bottle fits nicely in my pfd and its easy to fill bag with river water while Paddling down river.

[Mike M]

I’m happy to report that the Ultralight I originally purchased apparently was a dud.  The new one I tested at home (and on a recent trip) and it works as advertised.  I was able to get 18-20 treatments on a single charge.

I was also tickled that my smaller charger (3000-ish Mah) easily fully recharges the Ultralight with battery to spare.

Happy camper once again- 2.5 oz, 90 second water treatment will do that :)

[Kevin Babione]

Yeah – a 90 second treatment allows you to easily tank up at water sources and carry some water “inside” instead of “outside”.  Thanks for the update!

[Matthew / BPL]

I have the Steripen Ultra now. I like that it fits into a a small water bottle and that it will treat a half or full liter.

I really wanted to like the Ultralight because of its smaller size but I didn’t like having to carry something to treat the water in. I tried using a cut off Platy bladder for scooping/treating but it didn’t hold a full liter so I was wasting battery and time treating less water. If the Ultralight would treat .5 liters at a time I’d probably use that instead.

[Bob Fink]

I have/use a Steripen Ultra and Ultralight (this model can have the Red Cross Logo or just the Sterpen Logo).  I like the UV option in very high human use area where viruses may be present or in areas where there is high mineral content in the water, hard water.  Yellowstone Area and a few drainages in the High Uintas are examples where I uses the Steripen locally.

I have had no issues with performance for the two models.  They have been reliable and simple to use based on my experience.

Main differences is the weight and treatments per charge.  The ultra is designed to be used with bottles and I have a 1 liter  hydrapak stow with the smaller / smart water bottle opening.

Ultra – 134 gr – 50 liters treated per charge – sealed / tapered neck of device interfaces to waterbottes

Ultralight – 71 gr – 20 liters per charge – square neck lends to using a 1L open water vessel such as a platypus with the top cut off.

 

[dirtbag]

We just got back from a grueling overnight backpacking trip, end to end thruhike of the notorious Devils Path, in the Catskills NY. My son and I both carried and used our Steripen Ultras. They are perfect. This was his first time using one and towards the end of the trip he made a comment about how great it is and how he likes it better then the squeeze ones.

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