I am looking for an inline carbon filter. Here are my requirements:

1. Primary use is to remove bad tastes from water (e.g., micron size is not relevant as water will be treated for all baddies before going through carbon filter)

2. Will be used in-line with a Platy--specifically, I'd like to splice it directly into my hydration line for use during the day. The intention is not for gravity filter use, but simply as an inline system to clean up some of the bad taste.

After doing some research, here are the options I've come up with:

Katadyn Carbon Cartridge
Product Link

Dry Weight: 3 oz

Does anyone use this as an inline filter on the go, not just for pumping? Based on what I can tell online, this seems to be the simplest of the four I've found. My only concern is with the diameter of the hydration hoses meant for this. Will it splice into a Platy hose easily?


AquaMira Frontier Pro
Product Link

Dry Weight: 2 oz

I know many of you here are big fans of AM Frontier Pro, and my initial inclination was to pick it. After reading the BPGT report from Josh about his hydration tube not fitting properly over the INTAKE side, I am a little more hesitant. Does anyone have any experience with using the Frontier Pro as an inline and NOT simply screwing it onto a Platy?

I am a little concerned about screwing it directly onto my Platy Hoser because I normally hang the hydration bag in my pack with the outlet pointing down. I'm concerned that with the angle of the outlet on the Hoser and how it might kink the bladder or put pressure on the threads.


Seychelle Inline Hydration Filter
Product Link

Dry Weight: 3.6 oz

I read some of the old BPGT reports on the older model. It looks like there were significant durability problems with the 2003-4 model. Is anyone using the one now advertised on the Seychelle site? Have they fixed some of the leaking problems on the current model?


Triton Mc
Product Link (PrisMedical is the maker, but their product info is all PDF based)

Dry Weight: 3 oz

This appears to be a relative newbie in the outdoor market. It looks like they were at OR Summer 2007. This one appears to meet all of my specs and is engineered for what I was intending to use it for, but it's also the most expensive. I also can't find any reviews of this, except for some impressions from that OR 2007 show.

I'm looking for any feedback on these inline filters. How are the flow rates? Ease of use?

Greg,

I use a carbon filter for the same reason you do, taste improvement. But I've done it a little differently.

I use a Nalgene soft-sided canteen (1L) with a GSI coffee filter screwed into the top. I make a small bag using noseeum netting and put 1 oz of charcoal in it. Bulk charcoal can be bought at aquarium stores.

Here's a link to the filter description ...

http://www.rei.com/product/750397?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=D92554CD-82F4-DD11-96D7-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

Edited by mad777 on 02/07/2009 19:09:36 MST.

CamelBak also makes an inline filter. It weighs in around 4oz. I've noticed that there are two versions floating around the older one is made by MSR and the new one pictured is not marked. They both seem to be compatible with the Camelbak hydrolink system that allows for a quick disconnect but the older MSR seems to be smaller and connects better.

Edited by Overlord66 on 02/07/2009 20:02:18 MST.

Thanks for the info guys.

The CamelBak looks to be a bit more filter than I need.

Here are the prices (MSRP):

Katadyn Carbon Cartridge: $15
AM Frontier Pro: $25
Seychelle Inline: $25
Triton Mc: $40
CamelBak: $78

PrisMedical has an impressive water treatment bio -- see http://www.prismedical.com/about.html :

"Since its incorporation in 1996, PMC has been awarded several Department of Defense research grants through the Office of Naval Research. PMC's MainStream®, a prescription only FDA-cleared water purification device, was the first device of its kind to produce medical grade water for use on the battlefield as well as for other public safety needs.

Recognizing the need to supply safe water during emergencies and natural disasters, PMC leveraged the MainStream technology platform and in 2006 introduced the TRITON® EP Personal Water Purification Unit. In early 2007, PMC conducted primary market research, the American Safety & Preparedness Study, which validated the enormous US market need for a multi-purpose mobile water purification system. PMC leveraged its expertise and market research to develop and launch the TRITON M, a new family of modular mobile water purification systems targeted at emergency preparedness, outdoor recreation, international travel and military/tactical/firefighter/first responder applications.

The TRITON M’s unique modular configuration allows users to “dial in” the level of water filtration or purification they require depending on the conditions they encounter. TRITON M1, M2 and M3 modules address all categories of waterborne contaminants to produce safe water beginning with virtually any contaminated fresh water. TRITON’s low cost, compact, lightweight and versatile system requires no power, pumping or batteries to produce up to 500 liters (130 gallons) of great tasting purified water. The TRITON M has met the EPA requirements for microbiological water purifiers. In independent lab testing, the TRITON M has passed the rigorous NSF P248 Protocol for Emergency Military Operations Microbiological Water Purifiers, which was prepared by the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine."

That's sweet, I did not know Camelbak made an inline filter for their hydrolink system. Where to get? How much? Do you have to suck really hard to get the water(which I've heard about in reviews for the AquaMira Frontier Pro on www.prolitegear.com)?

I own a CamelBak Viper w/101 fl. oz. Omega bladder(which uses the hydrolink system , and if I could get my hands on that thing.....ohohohohooooooooo......

goodnight all

Edited by edude on 02/08/2009 00:22:20 MST.

See http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/HYDROLINK-IN-LINE-MICROFILTER-P824C0.aspx?UserID=9530047&SessionID=RjnJIdyMi33N{J3EEZde -- About $77

The Katadyn carbon cartridge isn't heavy, but it is a bit on the bulky side.

Seychelle -- I really liked the quality of the water coming out -- both clarity and taste. I spliced it into my hydration system as follows: Platypus --> short length of tubing --> Seychelle --> major length of tubing --> Platypus bite valve. The short length of tubing between bladder and filter is to allow for a "U" -- to avoid kinking the Platy hydration tube.

I now use the AM Frontier Pro as follows: Platypus bladder --> hydration tubing --> filter. The filter is now at the end rather than spliced in between. I added two velcro strips to my backpack's shoulder strap to keep the filter close at hand -- to make for easy reaching. The filter's bite valve works pretty well. Water quality is good.

When at camp, I detach both the Platypus bladder and the filter -- and simply screw the filter directly onto the bladder opening.

The Frontier Pro can be spliced in the middle of your hydration system and serve as an in-line filter. Simply pull out (slowly and carefully) the bite valve to expose the output nipple.

The Frontier Pro also works very well as a gravity filter -- although I don't usually use it in that mode.

One caveat for the Frontier Pro: connecting the Platypus hydration tube to the filter's intake nipple works fairly well -- but I wish it could be tighter (or more snug). The tube has disconnected (fallen off) a few times -- not a lot -- and nothing that a bit of care couldn't minimize. More of an annoyance than a show stopper.

All in all, I prefer the Frontier Pro over the Seychelle for its slim, compact and light weight design -- and also for its versatility.

Finally -- how will you be treating your water prior to drinking through one of the above filters?

Edited by ben2world on 02/08/2009 01:24:47 MST.

Greg,

I have used the Katadyn Carbon Cartridge with my Sawyer inline filter.

Ben was nice enough to mail this to me for free last year...thank you Ben!

I have used it once in the field and it is bulky, but it does work and it will fit tightly with the Platypus tubing on the Hoser Hydration system.

I have noticed at some carbon granules will escape from the cartridge, but better than drinking nasty water.

Thanks for posting up the other alternatives....interesting to see what else there is out there.

-Tony

"One caveat for the Frontier Pro: connecting the Platypus hydration tube to the filter's intake nipple works fairly well -- but I wish it could be tighter (or more snug)."

Several wraps of Teflon plumbers tape around the filter barb will make it as snug as you like.

Thanks, Greg!

And yes, barbs sound better than nipples. :)

In a previous life, I was a car guy... What about the $2 fuel filter casings from the auto parts stores? Remove the included paper filter, add your own carbon and voila. I'll go get one today and try to figure out what material they are made out of. Conveniently I have a bit of carbon to try it out.

Cheers, Matt

Thanks everyone for the much-needed insight. I liked the Katadyn on paper because I could simply refill the carbon with bulk carbon at the end of its life. It looked like it could be a bit bulky--maybe because it's designed to be screwed onto a wide-mouth Nalgene?

The Triton looks interesting. If I can find it for less than the MSRP (and more in line with the Frontier and the Seychelle), I'll pick one up. I wonder whether the threads it uses for its modular system are the same diameter as the platy port. If the diameter is right, I think it might be a good comparison to the AM Frontier Pro.

I think I'm going to get a Frontier Pro for now. If I can find the others on sale, I might pick some up for comparison testing. I like that the Frontier can be screwed directly onto the Platy bags, used inline, or at the end of the line with the bite valve. And at 2 oz, it appears to be the lightest.


As for my treatment, most of the time, I use a SteriPen Adventurer (yes, I know that is not popular in these parts, but it works for me). The real reason I'm looking for carbon is that the better half wants better tasting water. We normally only take from clear sources, but in some places in New York, the water will have lots of organics in it and throw off the taste. To make it a little easier on her, I am looking to put some carbon between her and the sterilized water. I could also see using it (in conjunction with some MP tablets) instead of the SteriPen.

If the car filter works, let us know. Sounds like a good MYOG project.

I think the Steripen-Frontier Pro combo is an excellent choice!

Edited by ben2world on 02/08/2009 15:02:10 MST.