The FP hanging off the end of my hydro hose makes it rather bulky and more difficult to use. The Sawyer fits inline, so it can go in the pack.

Take the bite valve off and clip a piece of tubing off. Reinstall the bite valve then use that tube to connect the sawer to your bite valve with the mouth piece pulled off.

Edited by lokbot on 03/15/2013 10:29:24 MDT.

@ Colin, who wrote, "Ben,
It's true that cysts are resistant to chlorine (ie, bleach) but it is NOT chlorine that kills them when using chlorine dioxide despite the name. It may take 4 hours to do so in certain conditions, but ClO2 will get them.

I am curious as to what other critters Colin is referring. I've not read anything along those lines."

Colin -- just to be clear -- I was referring to chlorine - as in common household bleach -- not CLO2. Bleach is cheap as heck whereas CLO2 is expensive. While the latter is effective against cysts, the treatment time can take hours -- which is impractical unless treating water overnight. Much better, IMO, is to simply use chlorine -- to kill the tiny stuff -- and rely on a simple filter like the Frontier Pro to trap the bigger stuff (like cysts). The combo can cut way down on treatment time.

@Terran Elam, who wrote, "The FP hanging off the end of my hydro hose makes it rather bulky and more difficult to use. The Sawyer fits inline, so it can go in the pack."

The FP has the option of fitting at the end of your hydro hose -- but it too can serve as an inline filter -- and a more compact one than the Sawyer. Simply (and carefully) remove the bite valve to expose the connecting "nipple".

There is a nipple, but not a quick connect. The nipple is too large to fit a hose around. A smaller hose will fit inside the nipple, but isn't secure. It's made for a straw.
FP makes a filter for Geigerrig that has the quick connects that fits next to the bladder. Albeit 7 bucks more...Both good for only 50 gallons. For that the Katadyn charcoal is refillable though perhaps a bit bulky.

@terran:

FP's smaller intake nipple - I insert Platy tube over the nipple.
FP's fatter output nipple - I insert Platy tube into the nipple. Fits well enough although not super tight.

It was me, not Colin, that had responded. I also use just plain household bleach and carry a Frontier Pro, but have never actually used it. The likelihood of cysts is quite small in reality and I try to pick wise sources. If it is suspect (valley where beavers live, nearby cattle) then I could also use the filter. Lucky so far I guess.

ClO2 is ready in 30 min for most mountain sources. I have started carrying some tablets as backup (or for poor sources).

Ben, I guess the difference would be that the Geiger hydration system is under pressure. The lines have to be quite positively connected with barbed or quick connectors.

These both interest me, so I thought I'd outline the differences

Frontier Pro
Weight: 2oz
Capacity 50gal
Filter size: 3 microns
Requires secondary treatment for Bacteria and Viruses
Works inline
Works as gravity filter

Sawyer Squeeze
Weight: 3oz
Capacity: 1 million gallons
Filter size: .1 micron
No secondary treatment required for Bacteria
Works inline
Works as gravity filter

I'd personally pick the Sawyer over the Frontier Pro. Capacity of only 50 gallons is a limiting factor. I can share the Sawyer Squeeze among 2 or 3 friends. 3 of us shared one in the Adirondacks. If using the Frontier Pro, the need to also carry secondary treatment, the 30 minute treatment time requirement, and the limited filter life would be significant downsides.

I can see the attraction of the Frontier Pro for solo hikes, where that extra ounce or two really counts.

For Sawyer, you also have to take backwash syringe that weighs 1.2 oz if you're going to treat many gallons, depending on water quality.

Did 18 day Long Trail thru hike treating water out of tiny trickles in a very dry season last year and back flushed once and really didn't notice a difference (ie probaby didn't need it). So unless you are doing one of the long thru hikes or expect really silty water i doubt most need to carry the syringe.

The Sawyer does not filter virus particles, so you would pre or post treat for those.