Re: [at-l] MSR Miniworks

[markusmc@hom.net]

At 11:38 AM 11/27/1999 -0800, you wrote:
>>I have a spare parts and maintenance kit for it and I intend to carry a 
>>spare filter.  When the time comes to put the spare filter into use I will 
>>begin looking for another spare at resupply towns. 
>
>I don't know this filter, but would assume that it is good for a few hundred
>liters. If so, why carry a spare? Why not keep the spare in a bounce box or
>plan on replacement somewhere, such as Harper's Ferry? 

According to MSR it will filter 400 qts of water. So if I drink 1 gal of
water per day the filter will last me 100 days.  Hmmm, was their test done
under labratory conditions or under field conditions? I dunno and they dont
say.  It doesnt really matter what conditions they tested it under because
we all know that the filter life will also be determined by the quality of
the water being pumped through it which will most likely vary greatly along
the trail.  So since I really have no idea when the filter will crap out I
can't really plan on picking one up at a certain place, plus just because I
planned on picking one up somewhere does'nt mean that they would reserve
one for me.  

I dont do bounce boxes, partly because a spare isnt going to do me one bit
of good on the trail while its sitting in a bounce box.
>
>Also, if you are carrying Iodine for backup, why bring the repair kit?
>Bounce box it also.
>

Sorry for the confusion, when I said backup, "I meant for emergencies, when
all else fails, when there is absolutly no other way, then I have a backup
plan."  I hope to never use the Iodine tablets, I carried Iodine tablets
for 20 years in a standard issue Emergency/First Aid kit. Never once had
occasion to use them, but that doesnt mean it wasnt a good idea to have them.

I would still very much like to hear from someone that has some real world
experience with the MSR filter.

Mark
GA ME GA 2000
71 days to go

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